Many visitors are familiar with Budapest’s famous landmarks, yet few are aware of the world that lies beyond the façades of its buildings. Hidden behind gateways and deep within courtyards, corridors, and stairwells, extraordinary treasures await discovery. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Budapest experienced a remarkable period of growth, becoming one of the most dynamically developing cities in the world. During this golden age, thousands of elegant apartment buildings were constructed - many of which still stand today, preserving the architectural richness of the era.

With his camera, Vincent Baumgartner has explored these buildings countless times, giving rise to the Buildings Tell Tales project. This exhibition presents a carefully curated selection of his most expressive and distinctive photographs, drawing attention to even the smallest details. Traces of craftsmanship, worn stair steps, and faded or incomplete inscriptions are not merely remnants of neglected buildings, but marks worth preserving - imprints that continue to live on within the fabric of inhabited spaces.

Allow yourself to get lost in the details, for every crack and every worn surface tells a story of times past. The walls speak to you. Buildings Tell Tales.

Bellibro Publishing & MESZL Budapest Collection

About the photographer:

Vincent Baumgartner is a Swiss-Hungarian photographer and passionate urban explorer living in Budapest. His work focuses on visually capturing the city’s built heritage and uncovering and presenting its socio-historical curiosities. In 2018, he launched the Bricks of Budapest project, followed in 2019 by the Buildings Tell Tales series, which documents the hidden sides and stories of Budapest’s residential buildings. To date, he has photographed and researched more than 2,000 locations.

In January 2024, he held his first solo exhibition at the Hintaló Bar in Budapest, followed by a second at Le Troquet, the French Institute’s wine bar. In 2025, he was elected a member of the Hungarian Association of Photographers. That same year, his works were featured in Swiss Traces, an exhibition in Budapest organized by the Swiss Embassy, first presented outside City Hall and later at the embassy building.

Source: https://bellibro.hu/a-szerzorol-vincent-baumgartner

The publisher:

https://bellibro.hu/kiadvanyaink

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/buildingstelltales

By attending the event, participants acknowledge that photographs and videos may be taken during the program and could be published on the library's website or Facebook page. Data management is based on voluntary consent. If you wish to object to the publication of your profile, please submit a written request.