Budapest

State

Hungary

Country

Hungary

Continent

Europe

Size

525 KM²

Population

1,772,000

Spending Budget

$88 - $616

Famous For

River Danube
Chain Bridge
Thermal Bath
Hungarian Castle
Hungarian Parliament

Best Time to Visit

January
March
April
May
September
October
November

History

The first settlement on the territory of Budapest was built by Celts before 1 AD. It was later occupied by the Romans. The Roman settlement – Aquincum – became the main city of Pannonia Inferior in 106 AD. The Romans constructed roads, amphitheatres, baths and houses with heated floors in this fortified military camp. The Roman city of Aquincum is the best-conserved of the Roman sites in Hungary. The archaeological site was turned into a museum with inside and open-air sections. Buda was the kernel of settlement in the Middle Ages, and the cobbled streets and Gothic houses of the castle town have preserved its old layout. Until the late 18th century, Pest remained a tiny enclave, but then its population exploded, leaving Buda far behind. The 19th century was dominated by the Hungarian struggle for independence and modernisation. The national insurrection against the Habsburgs began in the Hungarian capital in 1848 and was defeated one and a half years later, with the help of the Russian Empire. 1867 was the year of Reconciliation that brought about the birth of Austria-Hungary. This made Budapest the twin capital of a dual monarchy. It was this compromise that opened the second great phase of development in the history of Budapest, lasting until World War I. In 1944, a year before the end of World War II, Budapest was partly destroyed by British and American air raids (first attack 4 April 1944). From 24 December 1944 to 13 February 1945, the city was besieged during the Battle of Budapest. Budapest suffered major damage caused by the attacking Soviet and Romanian troops and the defending German and Hungarian troops. More than 38,000 civilians lost their lives during the conflict. All bridges were destroyed by the Germans. The stone lions that have decorated the Chain Bridge since 1852 survived the devastation of the war.

Present Day

In the latter half of the 20th century, growth has been more evenly distributed between the two parts. Contemporary Budapest covers 203 square miles (525 square km), of which about half is built up. Buda’s hilltops, still crowned by trees; the Danube flanked by three lower hills; the bridges; Margit (Margaret) Island; and the riverfront of Pest lend a remarkable visual identity to the city. Strategically placed at the centre of the Carpathian Basin, Budapest lies on an ancient route linking the hills of Transdanubia (Hungarian: Dunántúl) with the Great Alfold (Great Hungarian Plain; Hungarian: Nagy Magyar Alföld). The wide Danube was always fordable at this point because of a few islands in the middle of the river. The city has marked topographical contrasts: Buda is built on the higher river terraces and hills of the western side, while the considerably larger Pest spreads out on a flat and featureless sand plain on the river’s opposite bank. Budapest stood apart from the relatively drab capitals of the other Soviet-bloc countries; it maintained an impression of plenty, with smart shops, good restaurants, and other amenities. The dissolution of the Soviet bloc and Hungary’s transition away from socialism brought Budapest new opportunities for prosperity and an influx of Western tourists—along with the stresses of transition to a more Western-style economy. The city, including the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, and Andrássy Avenue, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. Budapest is The Thermal SPRINGS Capital of The World, Budapest Was Established by the 3 Towns, Hungarian Names Are Managed by The Law, Budapest Holds the Oldest Underground in Continental Europe, hippos at The Budapest Zoo Are Bathing in The Thermal Waters, Budapest as the Biggest Synagogue in Europe.

Future

The collective aim is to strengthen Budapest’s position in the region and Europe and to make it one of the top three capitals on the continent. With the growing air traffic, the aim is to double the number of visitors flying into Budapest – meanwhile, rail stations and train lines require extensive renovation. A fast train to the airport, an underground line connecting Nyugati and Déli stations, and the modernisation of suburban trains, are all top of the priority list for the next development. Plans for city renovation projects such as Kopaszi-gát, City Park, and the Centrál Park initiates revamping the nine-hectare area behind Nyugati station. The next operation of a successful city is sustainable. Sustainability is a development process that satisfies the needs of the present without reducing the ability of future generations to cater for their own needs. A successful city must also provide equal opportunities for its inhabitants in terms of economic possibilities, social and cultural services, and urban use. The basis of equal opportunities is to ensure the realisation and synergy of individual abilities and community objectives, and, to achieve this, the city must provide adequate infrastructural support. This is more than an ecological criterion – it is a way of thinking and developing. Budapest is brimming with possibilities and this potential should be exploited over the coming decade.

Must Visit Places ------------

City Park

Park is the main public park in Budapest and home to impressive attractions and activities. The park offers an excellent shake busy street. The doorway to the park opens with the Heroes’ Square and therefore the Millennium Monument featuring seven leaders of Hungarian tribes along with other prominent leaders and a Memorial Stone of Heroes. Walk along with the impressive Gatehouse Tower and admire the Jaki Chapel and Vajdahunyad Castle built-in 1896 for the celebration of1000 years of Hungary. The park also features a powerful ice-skating rink, a lake, a zoo, an arboretum, and several other attractions. And, of course, the Széchenyi Thermal Bath.

Buda Castle and Castle Hill

Although badly damaged in World War II, much of the exterior has been restored, along with sections of the interior, which now houses a number of important museums. These include the Hungarian National Gallery in the main wing, while in the south wing, the Budapest History Museum occupies four floors. Towering over the Danube, Budapest's Castle Hill (Várhegy) contains many of the city's most important medieval monuments and museums. Topping the list of these impressive structures is the 18th-century Buda Castle (Budavári Palota), a massive 200-room palace that replaced a 13th-century castle built to protect the stronghold from Mongol and Tartar attacks. In front of the castle, overlooking the Danube, stands a bronze equestrian statue of Prince Eugene of Savoy, a hero of Turkish attacks on the city. Castle Hill is worth exploring for its medieval lanes and it Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architecture. This entire historic complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Thermal Baths

Budapest is found over numerous thermal springs and bathing has been a neighbourhood of lifestyle within the city since Roman times. During the Turkish occupation, the tradition continued and as a result, Budapest has several incredible baths. Such a lot so that Budapest has nicknamed the town of spas. Probably the foremost widely known, Széchenyi Thermal Bath is the largest medicinal bath in Europe and one among the most important spas complexes of its kind. No matter the season – jump in one among the outdoor pools and knowledge the positive effects of rich thermal springs.

Fisherman’s Bastion

The Fisherman’s Bastion may be a monument overlooking Budapest from the Buda Castle and it’s one of the foremost important tourist attractions within the city. The monument, constructed in 1902, an equivalent year because the Parliament, offers fantastic views of the town. The name for the monument comes from a group of fishermen who lived under the wall up what was called the Fishtown and defended the castle against invasions. Fishermen’s Bastion features seven towers and is an extension of the castle. Right behind the monument, you’ll and the impressive and beautifully restored, Matthias Church with special historic importance because it was a location of several prominent coronations of kings and a venue of other important historic events. There are more impressive churches in Budapest such as St. Stephen’s Basilica.

Central Market Hall

What better thanks to discovering Hungarian culture than through food? Central market hall may be a three-story food hall where you’ll experience all levels of Hungarian food production – from raw ingredients like traditional paprika, wine, to prepared traditional dishes on the second floor, also as traditional souvenirs and other interesting merchandise. Central Market Hall was built in 1897 by the first mayor of Budapest to make a marketplace where only quality food might be sold with a central location to serve the town.

Citadella

Located on the highest of Gellért Hill lies a former fortress, a citadel – inbuilt mid-19th century for Austrian troops before the formation of the Austria-Hungary. Citadella is now a well-liked tourist spot with amazing views of Budapest and an open-air display of Soviet weapons. For a very magical experience, you’ll visit Citadella in the dark when all the most Budapest sights are illuminated. A visit to the Liberty Statue from the Soviet era is a must, erected in 1947 which is additionally clearly seen from downtown Budapest.

Széchenyi Chain Bridge

The chain bridge was the primary permanent bridge connecting Buda and Pest, the 2 areas of Budapest located on the east and West Bank of the Danube. At the time of its construction in 1849, the bridge was an engineering wonder and was one of the most important bridges within the world. Cross the Chain Bridge and admire the engineering and architectural details such as a pair of lions guarding the bridge against both entrances. Another great angle to ascertain the Chain Bridge and explore Budapest, generally, is from the river.

The University Church

Built between 1725-42 (the two mighty towers were not completed until 1771), the principal façade incorporates a triangular tympanum with representations of St. Paul and St. Anthony, as well as the arms of the Pauline Order (a palm between two lions and a raven). Budapest's University Church (Kisboldogasszony-templom) is widely regarded as the most beautiful Baroque church in the city. Although somewhat hidden—it stands in the south of Pest away from the main shopping streets—its main front faces onto a narrow side street, which scarcely does it justice. The church has a single nave with pilasters and enclosed side-chapels, and its walls are clad in artificial marble. Highlights include the frescoes on the barrel-vaulted ceilings depicting scenes from the life of Mary (1776), the choir-stalls, and the sculptures of St. Paul and St. Anthony on the High Altar (1746).

The Hungarian State Opera

The Hungarian State Opera House is home to the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hungarian National Ballet. As impressive inside as it is on the outside, the Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Állami Operaház) is a must-see when in Budapest. The building's dimensions alone are impressive, and since it opened in 1884, it has commanded top spot on the city's cultural events calendar. As delightful as its many performances (more on that in a minute) is the sumptuous interior of the building. Festooned with wonderful artwork and sculptures from the country's most significant artists, the Opera House can seat 1,261 people in its horseshoe-shaped (and acoustically pleasing) auditorium.