Horváth Mihály Square

Horváth Mihály Square is located in Józsefváros, Budapest's 8th district, along Baross Street. Its history dates back to the 1730s when the first houses were built on the farmland of city councilor József Katsberger, forming Pest's first suburban settlement, Lerchenfeld.

Throughout its history, the square has undergone several name changes: originally called Templom tér (Church Square), it was renamed Mária Terézia tér (Maria Theresa Square) in 1878, and finally received its current name in 1954, honoring Mihály Horváth, a historian and Catholic bishop.

The square's current appearance was shaped by a renovation in 2014, which added a park, playground, and a bell chime, and included plans to narrow traffic lanes and create bike lanes to expand pedestrian spaces.

Prominent buildings include the late-Baroque style St. Joseph Parish Church, whose construction began in 1797 and was completed in 1814. A small park in front of the church features a statue of Péter Pázmány, erected in 1960.

Another significant building is the József Telephone Exchange, designed by Rezső Ray and built in 1913 as Hungary's first state-commissioned reinforced concrete structure. Throughout the 20th century, this building served at times as a fortress, then functioned as a telephone exchange until 1999.

On the southern side of the square stands the modern building of Fazekas Mihály Primary and Secondary School, designed by Lóránd Almási Balog and constructed between 1911 and 1912.

Horváth Mihály Square also holds historical significance for Budapest’s transportation, as it was on the route of the city's first regular tram service, running from Egyetem tér (University Square) to Orczy tér since 1889.