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St Imre High School

An old dream of Cistercians came true when supported by the Zirc Abbey they purchased a site on Villányi Street at the Lake Feneketlen to build their own high school building, church and cloister. WWII upset their plans and only the first two ambitions were fulfilled. The new school was completed in 1929, however, the past reputation of the school attracted well-qualified teachers educated abroad. The neobaroque St Imre Church opened in 1938.

St Imre High School was founded in 1912, however, lacking their own building at the time, education started in a primary school in Váli Street. 17 years later the school had finally found a home near Lake Feneketlen. This delicate and elegant 5-storey building was designed by Gyula Wälder, one of the most popular architects of the era, who also designed the neighboring St Imre Church and the robust brick building in Madách Square. The yellow walls hide spacious classrooms, two ceremony rooms, well-equipped lecture halls and gyms. The building is provided with an adjacent yard with game courts.

Following WWII the school was nationalized and renamed to Attila József High School. Finally, the Cistercian High School of Buda could move back in 1997, currently having 900 students. Community life is exceptional and as they say “we welcome all those who wish to belong to an open community receptive to faith and culture”. This is the environment where several reputable Hungarians spent their school years, such as medical geneticist Endre Czeizel, multi-awarded pop composer, singer and performer Tamás Cseh, award-winning stand-up comedian Péter András Kovács and multi-awarded actor Zoltán Latinovits. The school has its own scout group with hundreds of members.

In 2001, a Kuno Klebersberg Monument was erected between St Imre Church and the high school to commemorate his substantial contribution as a Minister of Religious and Education Affairs to establishing the Cistercian school and maintaining the order. The sculpture group made by Jenő Grantner was originally unveiled in District 4 in 1939. Later during WWII it was badly damaged and removed. After a restoration in 2000 it was placed in District 11. The central figure in the middle portrays Kuno Klebersberg accompanied by minor figures of a man and a woman representing science and arts, respectively.

Recommended tours

A tour in the heart of Újbuda A walk around the cultural center of South Buda answers how a building was named after 500 silver coins or how a church still in use today was built on the first floor of another building, or how youngsters had fun at the Park Stage of Buda.

A scenic walk on Gellért Hill A World Heritage Site, a landmark of Budapest, cradle of hot springs, a witness of our history, the best date location and a place with the greatest view over Budapest. A scenic walk from top to bottom from St Gellért Square through the Arboretum of Buda to the Lake Feneketlen.