Selyemgombolyító, Industrial heritage building in Óbuda, Hungary
Selyemgombolyító is an industrial building in Óbuda with an unusual oval floor plan and a curved staircase connecting to two entrance doors on its main facade. The structure was specifically designed for silk-winding work and sits at Miklós Square 1 in the third district.
Emperor Joseph II commissioned Italian silk expert Mazzocato in the 1780s to establish a silk-winding facility, aiming to strengthen Hungary's production capacity in that industry. The project reflected broader Habsburg efforts to develop manufacturing within their territories.
The building reflects late 18th-century architectural values, combining industrial function with period design elements typical of manufacturing facilities. Its structure shows how production buildings were designed to be both practical and visually intentional during that era.
The building is located at Miklós Square 1 and can be reached by buses 9, 34, 106 or the H5 suburban railway to Szentlélek Square. Today it houses offices, so access may be limited depending on business hours.
The building remains one of the last surviving silk production facilities from the Habsburg era and represents an industry that has nearly vanished from the city's memory. Its oval shape made it distinctive among factories of that period.
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