Sándor Palace

"Sándor Palace, located beside the Buda Castle complex in Budapest, Hungary, serves as the official residence and workspace of the president of Hungary. Built in the early 19th century, the palace was originally commissioned by Count Vincent Sándor and completed around 1806. Over time, it has seen many changes, including serving as the residence for Hungarian prime ministers and undergoing significant damage during World War II. In the 19th century, the palace was leased to several prominent figures, including Prime Minister Gyula Andrássy, who renovated it to accommodate government offices and his personal residence. After World War II, the palace suffered severe damage from bombing, with much of its valuable contents looted. It remained neglected until the political changes in Hungary after 1989, when a long restoration project began. The restoration, which followed the original blueprints, was completed in 2002, and the palace interior was updated with replicas of the lost furnishings. The architecture of Sándor Palace features Neoclassical elements, with notable facades facing both the square and the surrounding areas. The southwest façade includes doors with inscriptions for the President’s Office, flanked by the Hungarian and European Union flags. Inside, the palace houses various salons, including the Blue Salon with its baroque-style furniture, the Red Salon (Maria Theresa Salon) with murals designed by Miklós Ybl, and the Hall of Mirrors, used for formal events. Additionally, the palace contains the President's Conference Room, the President's Study, and the Knights' Hall, which was once used as stables."