Best of Budapest

Best of Budapest, Hungary

Castle Hill
The name Buda Castle covers more than a castle or the Royal Palace in the capital city; it extends to the historical quarter full of sites. On bright spring days people invite friends for a "walk in the Castle", i.e. to wander around the Castle Hill quarter. The Castle Hill is the picturesque 1 st district of Budapest, called Castle District. It is an ancient area with many historical buildings and monuments.

This central destination is easily visible from everywhere in Budapest. The beautifully reconstructed buildings and streets can occupy an entire day. Reach the top via bus, funicular, or one of the numerous cobblestone paths winding through lush gardens. The central Trinity Square fills with tourists, who are anxious to visit the Romanesque and highly memorable Matthias Church (Mátyás templom).

Royal Palace
Located at the top of Castle Hill, the Palace was first inhabited by King Béla in the 13th century who, after the Mongol invasion, turned it into a fortified stronghold against further attack. During the next 700 years it was the residence of many royal figures.

The strategic location of Budapest, situated in the heart of Europe and straddling the Danube, offered whoever controlled the city a defensive position and potential control of the main waterway and this led to repeated invasions, followed by rebuilding in the style of the period.

The castle has a mixture of architectural styles, ranging from Gothic to Baroque. Today it is one of the country's most important cultural centers housing numerous museums.

The Budapest History Museum contains an exhibition explaining the history of the city as well as archaeological remains of the palace. Also within the palace complex are the Hungarian National Gallery, the National Library and the Ludwig Museum.

Fisherman's Bastion
Built in 1905 on the medieval castle walls, the neo-Romanesque ramparts were so named after the city's fishermen whose duty it was to defend this side of the hill during the Middle Ages, but the existing bastion never actually served a defensive purpose.

It is solely ornamental with gleaming white cloisters and stairways connecting seven turrets symbolic of the Magyar tribes that conquered the Carpathian Basin in the 9th century. The view from Fisherman's Bastion, over the Danube and the Parliament Buildings with Pest stretching out into the distance, is outstanding.

Floodlit at night, the bastion is a mesmerizing sight from across the river.

Matthias Church
Situated in the centre of the Castle Quarter, the 700-year-old Church of Our Lady is popularly known as Matthias Church after the nation's famous ruler, King Matthias (1458-1490), a patron of learning and the arts who reconstructed the Hungarian state after decades of feudal anarchy.

With its distinctive multicoloured tiled roof and Gothic spire, the church is one of Budapest's best-known structures, and it was here that the nation's kings were crowned and King Matthias was married.

Today the church continues to hold High Mass, as well as concerts, organ and choir recitals owing to its magnificent acoustics. Matthias Church is a mixture of styles from the various kings, occupations and periods.

When the Turks occupied the Castle in 1541 it was converted into a mosque, and the interior walls were whitewashed and painted over with scenes from the Koran.

It suffered heavily in the later siege and was restored again in the 19th century, reconstructed in its characteristic neo-Gothic style, and remains of the original medieval frescoes were discovered underneath the whitewash.

A fantastic paradox is visible in the reflection of the Gothic church in the sleek dark glass sides of the contemporary Budapest Hilton alongside.

Chain Bridge
The Chain Bridge was the first stone bridge to be built over the Danube and is the most famous with its lion statues.

Today nine bridges span the river linking Buda to Pest, but Chain Bridge takes pride of place as the city's symbol, a magnificent sight when floodlit at night.

It owes its construction to Count István Széchenyi who decided to build a permanent crossing after having to wait a week to cross the river to bury his father. At the foot of the bridge is Kilometer Zero, the point in Budapest from where all distances are measured.

Statue Park
One of the city's popular but more bizarre attractions is Statue Park, containing the giant figures of the Communist era that once filled the streets of Budapest.

After the change in the political system the monuments glorifying Communism were banished into the exile of this outdoor museum and among the statues, busts and monuments are the forms of Lenin, Marx and Engels, as well as memorials to the Soviet Soldier and the Communist Martyrs.

This is the only collection in the world from the time of Communist politics. Some of the interesting souvenirs sold at the park are cans of air from the 'last breath of socialism' and Stalin and Lenin shaped candles.

Hungarian F1 Grand Prix
One of the most popular meetings on the Formula-1 motor-racing circuit is the Hungarian Grand Prix. World-class race drivers pit their wits and skills against each other on the Hungaroring track about 12 miles (20km) from central Budapest.

Margaret Island (Margitsziget)
Long a religious center, this island is now serves as a recreational park in the center of the Danube River. Walking along the length of the island takes 20 minutes, but you will want to spend more time in the Hajós Alfréd pool complex.

Visitors enjoy the outdoor pool, a diving pool, children's pool, and thermal hot baths. If it is too cool to splash around, a tour around the island introduces the visitor to several relics hailing back to the island's religious heritage, including the 12th century Premonstratensian Chapel.

During summer months, it is possible to rent bicycles and hire horse-drawn buggies. Since traffic is prohibited, the island is a fantastic escape from the hustle of the big city.

The Parliament
This magnificent example of architecture on the left bank of the Danube is just a bit more than 100 years old, but thanks to the pollution constantly attacking it porous limestone walls, continuously undergoes restoration.

The huge building is visible from all parts of Buda and is a dominant structure in the panorama of Pest. Guided tours are available and are worth their price.

City Park
One of the largest (1 sqkm) parks in Budapest, City Park lies north of Heroes' Square. Bordered by a winding avenue featuring its key sights, the park is full of playgrounds, sports fields, small gardens and green esplanades.

The City Park is home of the Municipal Zoological and Botanical Gardens, the Transport Museum, a Municipal Circus, a Funfair, an Aviation Museum located in the concert facility Petofi Hall and the Széchenyi Medicinal Baths and Swimming Pool.

The world famous Gundel Restaurant is the first sight of interest on the inner avenue. Built at the turn of the century, this fine restaurant and its garden have gained an international reputation and have become one of the highest standard restaurants of the capital.