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Travelogues, travel stories
Godollo and surroundings
Leaving the mountains, we can see an area of plain... More »
Hortobágy, the puszta
The settlement and its surroundings are an outstan... More »
Gárdony, the largest city on shore of Lake Velence
The largest city on the southern shore of Lake Vel... More »
Hungarian cuisine, Hungarian wines
The great traditions of Hungarian cuisine have, in... More »
History of Tihany
Balaton, the largest shallow lake in Central Europ... More »
Travel experiences
Budapest sights
Palace of Arts Budapest, Statue of St. Gellért Budapest,
Gresham Palace Budapest, Hungarian State Opera House Budapest, Parliament, Fishermen’s Bastion Budapest, Royal Palace Budapest...
Castle quarter and Castle Hill
Budapest, I. district (Buda) – Castle bus
Part of the World Heritage. Due to its excellent features it was settled as early as the 13th century; King Béla IV built a castle here after the Tartar invasion, and he chose this spot as the seat of royal rule. The Castle quarter on Castle Hill stands 180 m above sea level. It is around 1.5 km long and in places it is 500 metres wide. It boasts three churches, five museums, many historical buildings, monuments, streets and squares, a theatre, four hotels, numerous atmospheric restaurants, cafés, galleries and gift shops. Breathtaking panoramas open from the Fishermen’s Bastion and the promenade in front of the National Gallery. Royal Palace Budapest, I. district Castle quarter – Castle bus, FunicularOne of the symbols of the nation, the palace has witnessed wars and occupation from the 13th to the 20th century. The Turks occupied it, as did the Habsburgs, it was destroyed three times and then rebuilt, each time in the architectural style of the age. Today’s neo-Classical style was taken on after the Second World War. The building hosts several distinguished institutions: the Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest History Museum and the National Széchényi Library. Fishermen’s Bastion Budapest, I., Szentháromság tér – Castle busA relatively youthful structure next to Matthias Church. Building started in 1895 on the designs of Frigyes Schulek. It was sited on the place of the medieval fish market and the walls protected by the guild of fishermen, whence the name. The neo- Romanesque bastion has only ever had a decorative role: it is a popular place to look out over Pest. Liberty Statue Budapest, XI., Gellérthegy The 14-m-high statue, the work of outstanding architect Zsigmond Kisfaludy Strobl, was raised in 1947 in memory of the country’s liberation. And even though the post-war period also marked the start of Soviet rule, the statue on Gellért Hill was not removed even after the change of regime since it had become an indelible part of the cityscape. There are two other sculptures at the foot of the female figure holding aloft the palm of victory: one is an allegory of progress, the other the fight against evil. Hungarian State Geological Institute Budapest, XIV., Stefánia út 14 – red line subway to Stadionok or bus number 7 from East Railway station.One of the capital’s finest Art Nouveau buildings. It was designed by Ödön Lechner and built in 1899. Its light blue ceramic roof and blue Zsolnay ceramic decoration harmonize with the yellow-brown facade. Three figures can be observed on the middle roof crest holding a globe. There is a rock and mineral exhibition in the Institute. Heroes’ Square Budapest, XIV, City Park – yellow undergroundThe most spectacular square in the capital, sited at the entrance to City Park. Anyone coming up Andrássy Boulevard sees from afar the 36-m-high column in the centre of the Millennium memorial, on top of which is a statue of the Archangel Gabriel holding the Hungarian Holy Crown and apostolic double cross. Quarter-circular colonnades extend to both left and right of the column. Between the pillars of the colonnade are figures of the ‘greats’ from Hungarian history, while the butt piers are embellished with emblematic sculptural ensembles (work, welfare, knowledge, honour and peace). The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is positioned in front of the monument. The magnificent buildings of thePalace of Arts and the Museum of Fine Arts to the right and left of the monument enhance the fine architectural entity of Heroes’ Square. Parliament Budapest, V., Kossuth tér 1–3, Tel. 441-4000 www.parlament.huTours: daily every 15 minutes, groups of min. 5 persons (weekdays 8 am–6 pm, Saturday 8 am–4 pm, Sunday 8 am–2 pm); assemble at Gate No. 10.Daily tours with foreign language guides: English 10 am, midday, 2 pm; German 11 am, 3 pm; French 2 pm; Hebrew 10.30 am, 1.30 pm; Russian 3 pm (Sunday 11 am); Italian and Spanish 11.30 am, 4 pm,International Student Card accepted, free for citizens of the European UnionRed line subway to Kossuth térThe largest building in the country, the permanent site of the national assembly, Parliament sits on the Danube embankment with its entrance looking out over Kossuth Square. The neo-Gothic building is the work of architect Imre Steindl, and was constructed between 1884–1904. It has 691 rooms, is 268 m long and its cupola rises 96 m into the air. The staircase is embellished with fine frescoes by Károly Lotz and sculptures by György Kiss. Parliament’s most important work of art, the painting “The Conquest” by Mihály Munkácsy, is in the Munkácsy Room next to the President’s office. Since 2000 the general public has been able to view the Hungarian coronation regalia here: St. Stephen’s Crown, the sceptre, orb and Renaissance sword. Hungarian Academy of Sciences Budapest, V., Roosevelt tér 9 – tram 2The oldest and most significant building on Roosevelt Square. Its perfect neo-Renaissance design came from the studio of Berlin architect Stüler, and it was built between 1862–64. The grand gala hall decorated with pictures by Károly Lotz is also used for staging concerts. There are lecture and session rooms, and a valuable scientific library. Allegorical sculptures in the imposing foyer and on the facade are the work of Miklós Izsó and Emil Wolf. Hungarian State Opera House Budapest, VI., Andrássy út 22, www.opera.huYellow line at Opera, Open daily 3–4 pmDaily guided tours in English, German, Italian, Spanish and French.One of the most imposing opera houses of its day, the Budapest Opera House opened in 1884. Its neo-Classical and neo-Renaissance design is the work of the greatest Hungarian architect of the 19th century, Miklós Ybl. The grandiose lobby, elegant staircase and horseshoe-shaped auditorium are important tourist sights in themselves. Guest conductors at the Opera House have included such world greats as Gustav Mahler and Otto Klemperer. Gresham Palace Budapest, V., Roosevelt tér 5–6 – Tram 2This Art Nouveau building was commissioned by the Gresham Assurance Company, London, and built in 1907 on the basis of designs by the brothers József and László Vágó and Zsigmond Quittner. The most modern luxury apartments and offices of the day were established in the building. The Palace features several statues, one of which (at the top of the facade) is a bust of Sir Thomas Gresham, founder of the London stock exchange. The Four Seasons, the capital’s most exclusive luxury hotel, opened here in 2004. Central Market Budapest, IX., Fôvám krt. 1–3 – Tram 2, 47, 49The largest market in the capital, and the most attractive. It was built in 1890, designed by Samu Pecz. Following its complete restoration in 1994 it has become one of the most popular and visited shopping sites among tourist circles. The imposing building of the University Corvinus Budapest stands close by, at the Pest foot of Liberty Bridge. Statue of St. Gellért Budapest, XI., Gellérthegy – Bus 7, Tram: 18, 19, 41, 47, 49, 118The statue of Bishop Gellért, who died a martyr in the 11th century, stands opposite Elizabeth Bridge on the south side of Gellért Hill. According to legend this is the spot from where pagans pushed the missionary bishop, sealed in a barrel, down into the Danube. The striking statue is enhanced by the semicircular colonnade behind and the natural spring which rises to the surface at this point, and which turns into a waterfall below the statue. Westend City Center Budapest, XIII., Váci út – Tram: 4, 6 Metro blue: Nyugati pu. Bus: 6, 26, 91At the end of 1999 the Western Railway Station, unique in Europe, designed by Gustave Eiffel and ranked as one of the most outstanding historical monuments of the capital, saw a new “neighbour” move in next door: the stunning modern complex called the Westend City Center. The complex (which has had a decisive impact on shaping the cityscape) has a 14-screen cinema, offices and 60,000 square metre shopping centre (with waterfall in the vestibule). The 200-room Hilton Budapest Westend, the latest Budapest hotel in the Hilton chain, is integrated in the mega-complex on a site looking onto Váci Road. Szabadság (Liberty) Square Budapest, V., Szabadság tér, Bus: 15, Tram: 2, Metro: Red line - Kossuth tér, Blue line - Arany János utcaOne of the most imposing squares in the capital is surrounded by fine buildings. The richly decorated walls of the Hungarian National Bank look onto the Eclectic-Art Nouveau headquarters of Hungarian TV (formerly it was the stock exchange) opposite. Both were built to the designs of Count Ignác Alpár in 1905. The building housing the American Embassy (1899–1901) is also worthy of attention. On the north side of the square stands the huge memorial to Soviet troops killed during the siege of Budapest in 1945, the only communist monument still standing in its original position after the changeof regime. Leaving the square through Aulich Street we come to the Batthyány eternal flame: this was the site of the execution in 1849 (after the War of Independence had been put down) of the prime minister of the first independent Hungarian government, Lajos Batthyány. Walking down Vécsey Street towards Kossuth Lajos Square the way crosses through Martyrs’ Square. The statue on the bridge here is of Imre Nagy, the prime minister of Hungary during the 1956 Revolution, who was also executed. MOM Park Budapest, XII., Alkotás utca – Bus: 8, 139 Tram: 61This large residential estate, shopping and entertainment centre (inaugurated September 2001) takes its name from the Hungarian Optical Works (Magyar Optikai Mûvek – MOM) factory which once occupied the site. However, today the only memory of the works is the former MOM House of Culture built in socialist realism style on the plans of Károly Dávid Jnr. and which can be seen standing on the corner of Csörsz Street. The park is the work of architects Antal Puhl and Tamás Noll, and is built according to the best traditions of classical modern Hungarian architecture. Palace of Arts Budapest, IX., Komor Marcell utca 1 – Bus: 23, 54, 103, Tram: 1, 2, 24, HEV: Csepel, RáckeveThe capital’s newest concert venue, the National Concert Hall, as well as the new residences of the Ludwig Museum and National Dance Theatre are all in the modern cultural structure positioned between Lágymányos Bridge and the National Theatre, the Palace of Arts. In the few months since its opening in March 2005 the institution has attracted such world-famous orchestras and companies as the Chicago Symphonics, the London St. Martin-in-the-Fields Ensemble and the Nederland Dance Theatre. The permanent exhibition of the Ludwig Museum includes works by Picasso, Warhol and the greatest contemporary Hungarian artists. All are welcome to take in the building’s breathtaking interior dimensions; there is also a CD store, gift and bookshop, restaurant and cafeteria. French Institute Budapest, I., Fô utca 17 – Bus: 86, Tram: 19, 41Of the contemporary buildings in Budapest this centre of French culture built to the plans of George Maurios in 1992 takes a leading position. Although designed to fit the form of other blocks along the Danube embankment, details of the building are radically modern. One interesting feature is that the Institute is adjoined to the inner courtyard of the neighbouring house with a glass wall, thus anyone sitting in the buffet is witness to the everyday comings and goings of a typical Budapest apartment block. Elizabeth Bridge Budapest,Bus: 5, 7, 7, 8, 78, 86, 173, Tram: 2, 18, 19, 41, 118In the year of its construction (1903) it was the world’s longest suspension bridge, a record it held until 1926. The bridge was named after the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph, Hungary’s beloved Queen Elizabeth. German troops blew up the original bridge in 1945. The new bridge was designed by Pál Sávoly and built in 1964. Liberty Bridge Budapest,Tram: 2, 18, 19, 41, 47, 49, 118, Bus: 7, 7/A, 15, 86Originally called Franz Joseph Bridge, it was constructed in 1899, and following the destruction of all the Budapest bridges in 1945 this was the first one to be rebuilt (1946) since it had suffered the least damage. During rebuilding all its decorative motifs were retained: the mythical Turul birds, royal coat of arms etc. Chain Bridge Budapest,Bus: 4, 16, 86, 105, Tram: 2, 19, 41The capital’s first bridge, a historical monument, has attracted many tourists to Budapest: photographs or film of it illuminated at night, with the imposing Buda Castle rising in the background, make for a breathtaking sight. Count István Széchenyi commissioned William Tierney Clark to design the bridge and engineer Adam Clark (no relation) to build it. Construction lasted from 1839–1849. The bridge did not escape the destruction of the Second World War, and it was rebuilt in 1949, on its 100th anniversary.