The idea of founding a veterinary school in Pest emerged more than 200 years ago, and in 1787 the University of Pest was among the first institutions to establish a veterinary science department within its Faculty of Medicine. Over the two centuries that have passed since then, this revolutionary school has continued to train veterinary experts hailing from Hungary and abroad, and today the Szent István University Faculty of Veterinary Science is esteemed worldwide.
The department, which has earned international acclaim and a fair deal of independence over the years, occupies its own campus built between 1871 and 1881 on the plot enclosed by István Street, Rottenbiller Street, Dembinszky Street, and Bethlen Gábor Street.
The campus has been an important theoretical training and research venue since its early days, and the university’s pet clinic is located on the premises as well.
The university’s modern treatment facility in Üllő is responsible for healing bigger animals, and the Budapest Zoo also has its own team of on-site vets supplied by the prestigious establishment.
The university grounds have evolved into a magical fairy-tale garden, despite the fact that in the past few decades, a number of new buildings have been added to the protected monument complex of pavilion buildings, originally designed by Imre Steindl – the innovative Magyar architect best known for designing Hungary’s Parliament House.
Enclosed by an iron fence adorned with various animal-head figures, the neo-Renaissance brick buildings showcase a number of exceptional decorative elements, such as intricate Zsolnay ceramics and the resplendent glasswork of Miksa Róth. Large trees and a small statue collection lend a particularly charming and intimate atmosphere to the surrounding park.
The potential of the historic campus hadn’t been fully unlocked until the university grounds received a complete overhaul last year. Before this welcome transformation, the park had a shortage of well-kept green spaces and communal areas, which was quite a shame, as the veterinary students are known for being one of the most close-knit groups on Budapest’s versatile university scene.
Lounging at one of the convenient wooden tables, you can see people walking their four-legged friends, and hear them converse in a variety of tongues like German or Norwegian. It might be a slight exaggeration to say that everyone knows everyone here, but it certainly feels like it.The campus has turned into a refreshing downtown oasis with decorative stone surfaces, seating areas, plants, and fountains – the students seem to enjoy the new setup so much that many of them come here to study even on weekends. We hope that many of Budapest’s universities will follow the lead of this exemplary establishment in the future.
