Capital Circus of Budapest

"The Capital Circus of Budapest is a historic circus building located in Városliget, Budapest's City Park. Known for its distinctive architecture and its status as the only stone circus in Central Europe, it is a major cultural venue in the city. The circus is home to a variety of performances, including animal acts, clown shows, artistic performances, and other special events like concerts, theater productions, and even fashion shows. The current building, which opened in 1971, is a permanent structure that is independent of the weather. This allows the circus to hold events throughout the year, in both summer and winter. The circus can accommodate up to 1,450 people, offering an intimate yet spacious setting for its diverse array of performances. While it originally focused on traditional circus acts, today the Capital Circus hosts a wide range of events, including classical music concerts, pop music performances, folk dance shows, and even sporting events and opera. The first iteration of the Capital Circus was opened in 1889 by the German-Dutch circus director Ede Wulff. It was located in the same area of Városliget, with a capacity of 2,290 seats. The building served as the city's main circus venue for many years. In 1896, a competing venue, the Ősbudavára Club, was established nearby in the Zoo area, offering entertainment that drew some attention away from the circus. However, the Capital Circus continued to thrive under various managements. The circus underwent significant renovations, especially under the ownership of Matvey Beketov in 1904, when it was renamed Beketow Circus. It became a popular venue for world-class acts until the mid-20th century. The circus was closed during World War II and, after some tumultuous years, was reopened in 1945. During the 1950s, it was nationalized, and by 1971, the current stone building was inaugurated, marking a new era for the circus. The Capital Circus of Budapest continues to be a beloved part of the city's entertainment scene, combining tradition with modern versatility to host a wide variety of performances year-round."