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    Tourist Attractions in Budapest

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Budapest. Photos and a brief description.

    Budapest
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    About Budapest

    Budapest traces its history back to the Roman Empire. In the I century it was the administrative center of Aquincum, then with the arrival of the Magyars (the self-name of the Hungarian nationality) in the IX century, the city was renamed Obuda. On the opposite bank of the Danube, along with Obuda, there was a settlement of Pest. Later, under the Habsburgs in the XVII-XIX centuries, the united Budapest became one of the most brilliant European capitals.

    Modern Budapest has retained the former splendor of the imperial city. The majestic and unusual parliament building, Gothic basilicas and Baroque quarters are always full of tourists. The Hungarian capital is a place for informative attractionseeing tourism, for relaxing in the famous thermal baths, as well as for exploring the hearty Hungarian cuisine and delicious Tokay wine.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Budapest

    Hungarian Parliament Building

    The Parliament is a real architectural masterpiece adorning the right bank of the Danube, a universally recognized business card of the capital. The structure was built in the Neo-Gothic style, its facade is decorated with numerous arches, towers, "flying" spans. The interior interiors are distinguished by luxury and pomp. The building is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Budapest.

    Hungarian Parliament Building
    Secheny Chain Bridge

    Secheny Chain Bridge

    A suspension bridge over the Danube River connecting two parts of the city. It was built by the English architect W.T. Clark in 1849. After the Second World War, the bridge was restored with donations from citizens. The length of the structure is 380 meters, the width is 14.8 meters. The bridge offers a spectacular view of Budapest, here you can take a lot of good photos. In the evenings, elegant lighting turns on.

    Buda Castle

    A fortress with reliable walls that guarded the ancient capital of Buda in the past. Buda fortress has existed since the XIII century, it was built to protect against the raids of the Mongol-Tatars at the behest of King Bela IV. A royal castle and three churches (St. Nicholas, Mary Magdalene, Theotokos) were built inside the fort. Under King Sigismund, a castle appeared in the fortress, a new palace with a spacious jousting hall for tournaments.

    Buda Castle
    Fisherman 's Bastion

    Fisherman 's Bastion

    The building is located in the ancient city district of Var on the Fortress Hill. Until 1905, a fishing market was located on this place. The construction of the bastion was planned to coincide with the celebration of the millennium of the Hungarian state in 1897, but the work was completed only a few years later. The Fisherman's Bastion is an architectural ensemble of white stone with seven towers that symbolize the seven Hungarian tribes.

    Basilica of St. Stephen (St. Stephen)

    The largest Catholic church in Budapest is 96 meters high. This monumental cathedral was built for several decades, and only in 1905 it was consecrated. The basilica was built in the Neo–Gothic style - a large domed hall, two symmetrical bell towers on the sides and a large arched central entrance decorated with inscriptions and columns. The relics of St. Stephen, revered by all Hungarians, are kept inside.

    Basilica of St. Stephen (St. Stephen)
    Matthias Church

    Matthias Church

    Officially, the temple is named after the Virgin Mary, but residents of the capital call it in honor of the Hungarian king Matthias Corvinus. For Budapest, the architecture of the temple is quite unusual, since Gothic elements predominate in it. The church regularly hosts musical evenings where you can listen to the organ, violin, choral singing. The first church on the site of the modern temple appeared in the XI century by the will of Prince Istvan.

    The Great Synagogue

    One of the largest Jewish temples in Europe is located in the Jewish quarter of Budapest. The area of the synagogue is 1200 m2, the capacity is up to 3 thousand people. The Jewish Museum is located in the courtyard. The synagogue is built in the Byzantine style with some oriental elements, the interior decoration resembles the interiors of Catholic cathedrals. During the Second World War, the building was looted. Full restoration took place in the 90s of the XX century.

    The Great Synagogue
    Heroes' Square

    Heroes' Square

    The square is located on the central Andrassy Avenue. There are two art museums in Budapest, as well as a Monument to the Millennium of the beginning of the Hungarian state (a 36-meter column topped with a statue of the Archangel Gabriel). Previously, there were sculptures of rulers from the Habsburg dynasty on the square, which were replaced by statues of Hungarian kings under the communist government.

    Hungarian Opera House

    The famous Budapest Opera, almost the twin sister of the Vienna Opera. Both theaters were cultural centers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire during the Habsburg era. The theater was opened in 1884, the premiere performance was attended by Emperor Franz Joseph, who was struck by the interior decoration of the halls. The first years of the opera were directed by the composer Ferenc Erkel, later he was replaced by the famous Gustav Mahler.

    Hungarian Opera House
    Hungarian National Gallery

    Hungarian National Gallery

    The museum is located on the territory of the Royal Palace of the Buda Fortress. The gallery is famous for the fact that its halls exhibit works by Hungarian artists (or works created in Hungary). The gallery's exposition presents more than 100 thousand works of art created over several centuries. Several exhibitions are open on the 4th floors: stone and wooden sculpture, medieval paintings, canvases from later eras up to the XX century.

    Museum of Fine Arts

    The main art museum of the Hungarian capital is located on Heroes Square, where the largest collection of famous painters is exhibited. Among the paintings there are works by Raphael, da Vinci, Manet, Goya, Velasquez, Rubens, El Greco. There are also samples of ancient Egyptian and ancient culture. The museum was opened in 1906, the basis of the exposition was the private collection of Princes Esterhazy.

    Museum of Fine Arts
    House of Terror

    House of Terror

    The museum was created in the early 2000s with the support of the government of V. Orban. The main purpose of the expositions is to show the period of the history of Hungary of the XX century, when the country was under the control of the communist government (supported by the leadership of the USSR). The place is ambiguous, as many facts from the "totalitarian past" of the country are exaggerated and distorted. There is an opinion that the museum was created for propaganda purposes.

    Shoes on the Danube embankment

    An original and touching monument to Jews who were shot on the embankment during the Second World War. The executions were carried out by functionaries of the Hungarian Nazi Party. On the stone pavement there are many pairs of shoes of different sizes, among them there are children's shoes. There is also a bench with memorial tables, where the names of the victims of the massacre are immortalized.

    Shoes on the Danube embankment
    Central Market

    Central Market

    Shopping malls on Fovam Square, where you can find original Hungarian souvenirs or typical national products. The market building is decorated with a colored ceramic roof. The place was restored in the 1990s after numerous damages during the war. The market quickly gained popularity among tourists who come here for memorable purchases and fresh products.

    Secheny Bathhouse

    The largest bathing complex in Europe, opened in 1913. Therapeutic waters enter the pools from a depth of more than 1200 meters from a hot well and several small cold wells. In addition to bathing in healing water, the complex in Sechen provides a number of additional services: sauna, water gymnastics, gym, wellness and so on. All this is included in the entrance fee.

    Secheny Bathhouse
    Gellert Bathhouse

    Gellert Bathhouse

    According to local legend, the bathhouse appeared in the XIII century, and King Andras II took baths in its waters. According to his will, the first hospital was built. After the capture of Buda by the Ottomans, Turkish baths were erected on the site of the springs. Gellert was opened to the public in the XIX century, but it was not popular and received the nickname "Muddy Barn". But the situation changed when a modern swimming pool building appeared under Emperor Franz Joseph.

    Mount Gellert

    A hill on the territory of Budapest, named after St. Gellert, the patron saint of the city. In the XI century, pagans threw a missionary from this mountain, protesting against his Christian sermons. Previously, Gellert was planted in a barrel with sharp nails. There is a monument to the holy martyr on the mountainside. Inside the mountain there is a large reservoir and an astronomical observatory, created in the XIX century.

    Mount Gellert
    Aquincum

    Aquincum

    The Archaeological Museum Park of Budapest, which is the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Aquincum – the center of the province of Pannonia. The remains of ancient amphitheatres, some sculptures and crypts are well preserved. On the territory of the park there is a museum built in the XIX century, where unique exhibits are stored: jewelry, coins, household items, dishes. There is even a rare water organ created in the III century.

    Andrassy Avenue

    The avenue is the central street of the Hungarian capital and is considered one of the most beautiful European avenues. Locals and tourists call it the "Champs Elysees of Budapest". There are many attractions concentrated here: Hungarian Opera, memorial museums of Hungarian composers, the State Puppet Theater and others. Andrassy Avenue was included in the UNESCO Heritage List in 2002.

    Andrassy Avenue
    Margate Island

    Margate Island

    A natural island on the Danube River, used to be called Hare Island. According to legend, King Bela IV prayed to God to help him cope with the Tatar-Mongols, and in return promised to give his daughter Margarita to a nun. God helped the king, and the girl went to the Dominican monastery on hare Island. After her death, Margarita was canonized, and the island received her name.

    Varoshliget Park

    A landscaped city park on the site of former hunting grounds and pastures, created at the end of the XVIII century. The place is very popular for walking among the residents of Budapest. There are several thousand trees growing in the park, there are artificial lakes and canals. On the territory there are zoological and botanical gardens, as well as several popular city attractions: the Szecheni Bathhouse, the zoo, the Vaidahunyad Castle, the circus.

    Varoshliget Park
    Vaidahunyad Castle

    Vaidahunyad Castle

    Originally created from wood to celebrate the millennium of the acquisition of the homeland by the Hungarians, the castle was so popular with people that it was later built of stone. Vaidahunyad is located in Varoshliget Park and many tourists walking here think that this is an ancient fortification where Hungarian kings lived. There is also a real Vaidahunyad on the territory of Transylvania in Romania.

    Brunswick Castle

    The famous castle is 30 km from Budapest, built in the Neo-Gothic style. The park area around the castle is designed in the best traditions of English landscape art. The palace is closely connected with the personality of Ludwig van Beethoven, who had a long-term friendship with the Brunswick family. The composer's memorial museum is located here, concerts are often held and films about his life and work are shown.

    Brunswick Castle
    Budapest Zoo

    Budapest Zoo

    City zoo on the territory of Varoshliget Park. It contains about 3 thousand animals, among them there are representatives of exotic continents. The aquarium, palm pavilion and butterfly house are of interest. Also in the zoo there is a Hungarian ethno-village where pets live. The animals can not only be watched, but also fed at certain hours. It is necessary to take at least 3 hours to visit the zoo.

    The Danube River

    The waterway of Europe, crossing several countries. Divides Budapest into two parts, which are connected by picturesque suspension bridges. In the warm season, river trips along the Danube and visits to numerous islands are popular with tourists: Chepel, Nepsiget, Margit, Hayodyari Sighet. In addition to tourist ships, public vessels run along the river, which can be accessed by a city ticket.

    The Danube River