Ödön Lechner's independent pre-modern architecture by Ilya Burlak
All of my research ahead of the trip to Budapest last November suggested that you cannot visit either the Postal Saving Bank or the State Geological Institute. The Museum of Applied Arts remains under renovation; Els mentioned that seven years ago and nothing changed - in fact, a taxi ride took me by the museum building, and its facade is covered in painted cloth that conceals the scaffolding. So, a visitor to Budapest who wants to see Ödön Lechner's architecture is limited to exterior views of a couple of buildings.
I did stop by the Postal Savings Bank, as it is located centrally enough to be easily reached on any walkabout itinerary. There is a notice by the entrance sternly advising passersby that only the employees can enter. I am not above disregarding such notices when an opportunity presents itself, but a reception desk on the first landing visible through the inner door suggested that I was unlikely to proceed far, and I did not try.
The building is lovely enough from the front, as is its green roof, which is best seen from the dome terrace of St. Stephen's Basilica (especially through a telescopic photo lens). But I have a strong aversion to the concept of a World Heritage property that is not available for the world to properly visit and admire. On the limited available evidence, I can't see how this tentative site is worth an inscription.