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The Royal Palace and Castle District
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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. The Castle District on Castle Hill is one of the most romantic sections in Budapest. It forms a compact medieval town with atmospheric streets, picturesque houses, gas lamps and beautiful monuments.
Fishermen's Bastion
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It was completed in 1905 on the site of a former fish market - hence the name. It has never served a defensive purpose, although it is an excellent lookout place. The cityscape opening up from there, including the Fishermen's Bastion, has been part of UNESCO's World Heritage since 1988. The crypt of the ancient St. Michael Cemetery Chapel (the first written record dates from 1443) was opened to the public in 1997.
Matthias Church
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The church bears the name of its greatest patron, King Matthias, who married twice in this shrine. It is almost as old as the Royal Palace and has been the venue of several coronation ceremonies. Every king and époque left its mark on the building until the Turks occupied Buda in 1541 and converted the church into a mosque, whitewashing - and thus preserving - its medieval frescos. Matthias Church took on its current form at the turn of the century when several smaller buildings attached to it earlier were pulled down and the church was reconstructed in characteristic neo-Gothic style. In addition to the usual biblical scenes, its frescos relate the most important events in Hungary's history. The magnificent acoustics make it a popular concert venue.
Chain Bridge
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The first permanent bridge over the Danube. Budapest owes its construction to Count István Széchenyi who was forced to wait a week before he could cross the river by boat to bury his father. This is when he decided to build a permanent crossing for the city. Architect William Clark and namesake Adam Clark supervised construction works; the bridge was finally completed in 1849. It has since - rightly so - become a symbol of Budapest city, a magnificent sight when illuminated at night. In 1999 a monumental ceremony and the installation of new floodlights marked the 150th anniversary of the bridge.
Margaret Island
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Budapest's finest green spot is Margaret Island (Margitsziget) located in the middle of the river Danube between Margaret Bridge and Árpád Bridge. The 100-hectare parkland is kept peaceful and quiet by being sealed off to most vehicular traffic. The park is beautiful and very varied: century-old chestnut avenues, English, Japanese and French gardens alternate with ruins of a nunnery, an old water tower and a wide range of sports facilities.
Parliament
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Built at the turn of the century, the building of the National Assembly quickly became a dominant sight and symbol of Budapest and the Danube panorama. A typically Eclectic edifice covered in small crockets and stone tracery ornamentation, it is one of the most decorative structures in the capital. It also ranks as one of the biggest national assemblies in the world.
St. Stephen's Basilica
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Construction of the largest church of the capital (seating 8,500 persons) was beset by vicissitudes. No sooner had the groundwork begun when the War of Independence broke out in 1848, then construction was resumed in 1851, followed by the successive deaths of the two architects, and even the dome collapsed during the works. The church with a Greek cross plan was finally consecrated in 1905.
Opera House
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Budapest is proud of possessing one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world. The opening performance of the Opera House was held in the neo-Renaissance building, the jewel of the avenue, in 1884 after nine years of construction.
Millennium Monument - Heroes' Square
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Budapest's grandest square stands at the top of Andrássy Avenue, with City Park right behind. Marking the end of stylish Andrássy Avenue, this monumental edifice is a majestic memorial to the thousand-year history of Hungarians in Europe. Each part of the monument represents an important moment in Hungarian history. The solemnity and pomp of the ensemble is further heightened by the two old museums on either side: the Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Art.
Vajdahunyad Castle
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Probably the most fascinating edifice in City Park. The mock castle was originally built of timber and hardboard for the World Exhibition organized in 1896 to mark the thousandth anniversary of the arrival of the Magyars in the Carpathian Basin.
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