3 old postcards Hungary: Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church and historic postal routes
3 Old Postcards from Budapest: Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, and Historic Postal Routes
Three old postcards from Budapest, three backsides, and small traces of another time: This collection shows the Fisherman's Bastion (Halászbástya) and the Matthias Church (Mátyás-templom) in the historic Buda Castle District of Budapest.
However, with postcards that have been sent, it's not just the motif that's interesting. Handwriting, stamps, postmarks, dates, and recipients often tell a second story.
Two of these cards were sent from Budapest to Dresden in the former GDR in 1981. The third, significantly older postcard is handwritten and dated July 5, 1967, and addressed to Arad in Romania.
If you're generally interested in such historical artifacts, you can find more about old postcards from Hungary and their history here.
What do the three old Budapest postcards show?
All three cards show well-known sights in the historic Buda Castle District of Budapest.
Two views show the Fisherman's Bastion with the Hilton Budapest Hotel. The third card shows the Fisherman's Bastion together with the Matthias Church.
Thus, the cards belong to the classic historic Budapest motifs. Further old city views with the Parliament, Chain Bridge, Danube, and other sights can be found in the article about old postcards of Budapest.
1. Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest – 1981 to Dresden
The first postcard shows the Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest with its characteristic towers, staircases, and the adjacent hotel building.
The card is handwritten, franked, and has been sent. The year 1981 is visible on the Budapest postmark. The postcard was addressed to Dresden in the former GDR.
Motif: Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest
Hungarian Name: Halászbástya
Postal Route: Budapest, Hungary → Dresden, GDR
Year: 1981
Condition: written, franked, and sent
2. Fisherman's Bastion with Hilton Hotel – 1981 to Dresden
The second postcard bears the printed motif description:
"Budapest. Halászbástya a Hilton szállóval"
It shows the Fisherman's Bastion with the Hilton Budapest Hotel from a different perspective.
This card is also handwritten, franked, and has been sent. The postmark dates from 1981. The postcard was also sent from Budapest to Dresden in the former GDR.
Motif: Fisherman's Bastion with Hilton Budapest Hotel
Hungarian Name: Halászbástya a Hilton szállóval
Postal Route: Budapest, Hungary → Dresden, GDR
Year: 1981
Condition: written, franked, and sent
3. Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church – 1967 to Arad
The third and significantly older postcard shows two of the most famous sights of the Budapest Castle District: the Fisherman's Bastion and the Matthias Church.
On the back, the motif is described in several languages. The Hungarian title is:
"Budapest. A Halászbástya és a Mátyás-templom"
The card is handwritten, dated July 5, 1967, and addressed to Arad in Romania. The postmark is only partially legible.
The originally affixed stamp is missing. A postmark is still visible on the back.
The card also has the historical sales price of 2.40 Forint printed on it.
Motif: Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church
Hungarian Name: Halászbástya és Mátyás-templom
Destination: Arad, Romania
Handwritten Date: July 5, 1967
Historical Card Price: 2.40 Forint
Special Feature: Stamp missing
Condition: written and sent, with clear signs of age and wear
Which postal routes do the three postcards document?
The three old Budapest postcards document two different historic postal routes:
Two postcards were sent from Budapest to Dresden in the GDR in 1981. An older postcard is dated July 5, 1967, and addressed to Arad in Romania.
Precisely these backsides make sent postcards interesting. They connect a known place with a specific time and an actual route between sender and recipient.
Another example of this is a postcard from 1980 that was sent from Balatonfüred to Plauen in the GDR.
Why are sent postcards interesting to collectors?
An unwritten postcard shows a motif. A postcard that has been sent can additionally contain information about its own history.
- Sender and recipient
- Postmark and date
- Stamps and frankings
- Handwritten travel greetings
- Historical addresses
- Former country names and political systems
These three cards bring together Budapest, Dresden, the GDR, Arad, and Romania. This makes them not only interesting as Budapest motifs but also as small testimonials to everyday European and postal history.
Condition of the three old postcards
All three postcards are handwritten and have been sent.
The two cards from 1981 are still franked. The stamp is missing from the older card from 1967.
Depending on the card, there are age-related and use-related traces. These include:
- Edge and corner wear
- Small creases
- Discoloration and stains
- Surface and use marks
The card from 1967 shows stronger signs of age and wear than the two postcards from 1981.
The exact condition can be seen in the photos.
Old postcards from Budapest tell more than just city history
These three cards not only show the Fisherman's Bastion, the Matthias Church, and the historic Buda Castle District. Their backsides also tell of journeys and connections between Hungary, the GDR, and Romania.
The collection comprises three sent postcards from Budapest: two cards were sent to Dresden in the GDR in 1981, an older card is dated July 5, 1967, and addressed to Arad in Romania.
For collectors looking for more classic Budapest motifs, the shop also has a collection of three old postcards of the Budapest Parliament on the Danube.
Frequently Asked Questions about the old postcards from Budapest
How old are the three postcards from Budapest?
The three postcards date from at least two different years. Two cards were sent from Budapest to Dresden in the former GDR in 1981. The older card is handwritten and dated July 5, 1967, and addressed to Arad in Romania.
From where to where were the Budapest postcards sent?
Two postcards were sent from Budapest in Hungary to Dresden in the GDR in 1981. The third card is dated July 5, 1967, and addressed to Arad in Romania.
What sights do the three old postcards show?
The cards show the Fisherman's Bastion (Halászbástya), the Matthias Church (Mátyás-templom), and the Hilton Budapest Hotel. All three motifs are located in the historic Buda Castle District.
What does "sent" mean for a postcard?
A sent postcard was actually mailed to a recipient. Typical features include a handwritten message, an address, a postmark, and often a stamp. For one of the three cards, the originally present stamp is missing.
Is the stamp missing on one of the old postcards?
Yes. The stamp is missing from the older postcard from 1967 to Arad in Romania. However, the card is written and has been sent. The missing value is a visible condition characteristic and is explicitly stated in the description of the card.
Are the postmarks and years still legible?
For the two cards to Dresden, the year 1981 is legible. The older card is clearly handwritten and dated July 5, 1967. Its postmark is only partially legible, so no uncertain postmark date is specified.
What makes these three Budapest postcards special?
What makes them special is the combination of historic Budapest motifs with traceable postal routes. The cards connect Budapest with Dresden in the former GDR and with Arad in Romania. Motifs, handwriting, addresses, and postmarks make them small testimonials to European everyday and postal history.
What is the condition of the old postcards?
All three cards are handwritten and have been sent. The two cards from 1981 are still franked. The stamp is missing from the card from 1967. Depending on the card, there are age-related edge and corner wear, small creases, discoloration, stains, and other signs of use.
