Districts of Budapest on the map: center and where to stay. The capital of Hungary is Budapest All about Budapest

A young capital with a thousand-year history
Budapest is a very ancient and very young city at the same time. This is a city with an unusual and complicated history. And everything unusual, and even more so confusing, is always interesting and attractive. Let's start with at least such a question as celebrating City Day. In Budapest it is celebrated twice, and one of the celebrations has a very indirect relation to the birth of the capital. City Day is celebrated for the first time on the last weekend of June, in memory of the fact that in 1990 the last Soviet soldier left the country. However, the official birthday of Budapest is still considered November 17, 1873, when at a general meeting of three cities - Buda, Obuda and Pest - a decision was made to form the city. It turns out that Budapest is one of the youngest capitals in Europe, but at the same time with more than a thousand years of history.

Generally speaking, it is quite difficult to determine a more or less exact date of birth of the capital of Hungary. One thing can be said with a significant degree of certainty: the first settlements arose on the Buda side of the city: the Celts, Scythians, Sarmatians, Huns and other peoples built their fortresses and cities here. And thus provided historians with a topic for numerous disputes about the ruins of which particular settlement should be considered a prototype of the future capital. And yet, despite the existing differences of opinion, the chronicled history of Budapest begins from the moment when here in the 1st century AD. e. The Romans settled. On the hills of modern Buda, they founded the city of Aquincum, the capital of the province of Pannonia, which was part of the Great Roman Empire. The Romans discovered many thermal springs gushing from the depths of the mountain, and built the first baths in their place, the remains of which have survived to this day. By the way, the very name of the Roman city, which is translated as “abundant with water,” is associated with these sources. Aquincum was both a military camp and a civilian city where traders and artisans lived. The ruins of an ancient amphitheater, several temples, baths, the remains of the streets and houses of Aquincum have survived to this day and are located on the territory of modern Obuda. Internal strife and constant raids by Asian and Germanic tribes gradually led to the collapse of the once powerful empire. Pannonia, as well as its other regions, were in danger. The Romans had to leave these territories.

The Magyars appear on the stage
In the 9th century, a significant part of the territory of the Carpathian Basin was inhabited by warlike nomadic tribes of the Magyars, who came from the steppes of the Southern Urals. They were the ancestors of modern Hungarians. The Magyars founded a strong state on the site of the lands they conquered, which reached its greatest power under King Istvan. At that time, Buda and Pest were two independent provincial towns, since the royal palace was located in the city of Székesfehérvár, the queen’s residence was in the city of Veszprem, and the main religious center was Esztergom, the residence of the head of the Hungarian Catholic Church.

Arpad dynasty: the first fortress on Buda Hill
After the death of Istvan, who was canonized for spreading Christianity in Hungary, kings from the Arpad dynasty began to rule Hungary. The beginning of the Middle Ages was an era of calm and prosperity until in 1241-1242 the country had to face danger: the Tatar-Mongol tribes, led by the legendary Genghis Khan, invaded the territory of Hungary, plundering and destroying many cities, including Buda and Pest. In addition, the Tatar-Mongols burned all the crops and massacred most of the country's population.
Under King Bela IV, work began on the revival of Hungarian cities. According to chronicle sources, Bela IV drew attention to the mountain located on the right bank of the Danube, which had an extremely convenient strategic position, and decided to build a fortress here. This fortress, named Buda after its location, had an irregular layout and was located on the southern slope of the mountain. A new city began to form around it, taking the place of the destroyed Buda. The core of the Fortress district was the Istvan Tower and other buildings that have not survived to this day. The royal palace, defensive structures, courtyards and the outer wall of the fortress were repeatedly built and rebuilt under subsequent kings of Hungary over many centuries. Buda became a royal residence, and an increasing number of aristocrats and wealthy merchants began to build their homes here.
During the same period of time, an ancient settlement that arose on the site of the Roman city of Aquincum received the name Obuda, which translates as “old Buda.” By 1347, during the reign of King Lajos I the Great, the entire royal court had already moved to Buda, and the palace itself was rebuilt in the Gothic style.

King Matthias Corvinus and the Golden Age
At the beginning of the 14th century, the last representative of the Arpad dynasty, King Andras III, died. In subsequent centuries, monarchs of other European houses succeeded each other on the Hungarian throne. The Hungarian state reached its greatest prosperity during the reign of King Matthias Corvinus. It was under him that Buda turned into a major cultural center. The Gothic fortress on top of Buda Hill was rebuilt into a magnificent Renaissance palace, whose beauty spread throughout Europe. In addition, Matthias is responsible for creating the largest royal library on the continent. The memory of the great king of the Renaissance is preserved not only by the royal palace, but also by the buildings surrounding it. It is enough to stroll along the streets of the Fortress Quarter, such as Tarnok, Fortuna or Uri, whose elegant buildings have retained the spirit of antiquity to this day.

Turkish yoke: pros and cons of Ottoman rule
The era of prosperity and prosperity came to an end, as new invaders invaded the territory of Hungary - the troops of the Ottoman Empire. In 1541, the Turks occupied Buda and Pest and held both cities under their rule for 145 years. Only in 1686, a united army under the leadership of Charles of Lorraine, after a long and difficult siege, managed to liberate the cities, which at that time were small settlements with a very small number of inhabitants. Despite the enormous damage brought by the Turks to Hungarian cities, these people still made a certain contribution to the culture of the country, because the times of the Turkish invasion became a period of new prosperity for the Buda baths. Rudas, Kiraly, Lukács, Csásar (under the Turks it was called Veli Bey’s bathhouse) modern Budapest cannot be imagined without these colorful oriental buildings. Turkish baths are distinguished not only by their magnificent interior decoration, but also by their special atmosphere, conducive to relaxation, both physical and mental.
Thanks to the Turks, the Hungarians first learned about paprika and other types of vegetables, which are now considered an integral part of the national Hungarian cuisine. Coffee culture, which was further developed in the famous coffee houses of Budapest, also appeared here thanks to the Turks.

Birth of a new capital
One invaders were soon replaced by others: after the liberation of Buda, Pest and other cities captured by the Turks, Hungary became part of the empire of the most powerful European dynasty of that time - the Habsburg dynasty.
After a long siege to liberate Buda and Pest, both of these cities were almost completely destroyed, so their restoration became a priority. At the beginning of the 18th century, an extensive reconstruction plan was developed, and soon new residential buildings, palaces and churches in the Baroque style were erected on the site of the destroyed buildings on both sides of the Danube. Many of them have survived to this day (for example, the Servite Church, the Budapest Administration Building, the Church of St. Anne in Pest, the Zichy Palace, the parish church of St. Peter and Paul in Óbuda). At the same time, the territory of Pest expanded: a new district appeared in its northern part - the Jewish quarter of Lipotvávroš (now part of the Budapest downtown).
The appearance of the Buda Fortress District also changed significantly, most of the buildings of which, including the royal palace, were also rebuilt in the Baroque style. The active reconstruction of Buda and Pest, the gradual growth of their population, led to the fact that by the beginning of the 19th century these two cities had become the main economic and cultural centers of the country. However, as has often happened in the history of Budapest, another disaster soon occurred, leading to the almost complete destruction of the city. On March 15, 1838, a severe flood occurred, and if the enraged Danube could not reach the buildings on the Buda side, then a significant part of the houses of the flat Pest were buried under its waters. The new reconstruction made the city one of the most beautiful and modern in Europe. The unfavorable position of Pest in comparison with Buda led to the dynamic development of this side of the city, while the Old Town on the top of the mountain has always carefully preserved traces of bygone eras.
Despite the increasing importance of Buda, the adjacent Obuda and Pest with each new day, they continued to remain autonomous cities on different banks of the Danube, between which at that time there was not even a single permanent crossing. The first stone bridge connecting Buda and Pest was built on the initiative of one of the outstanding figures of the Hungarian state, the reformist politician Count István Széchenyi in 1842-1849. As mentioned above, until the middle of the 19th century there were no permanent crossings across the Danube - only pontoon crossings that operated in the summer. In winter, the river was crossed on ice, and during the off-season, ferry sailed here irregularly. In December 1820, Count Istvan Széchenyi received news of his father's death. In the shortest possible time, he rushed from Debrecen to Pest, but he could not cross to the Buda side, where his family was located, for a week - the ice had broken. Szechenyi spent a week in Pest and only after this time was he able to cross to the other side. This sad event led the count to the idea of ​​​​building a permanent bridge across the Danube. Being a very energetic person, the count went to England to study advanced bridge construction technologies. There he met the talented engineer William Clark, the creator of the suspension bridge in Buckinghamshire, and his namesake, the Scottish engineer Adam Clark. The grand opening of the Chain Bridge took place on November 20, 1849. In 1945, the Széchenyi Bridge suffered the fate of all Budapest bridges - it was blown up by the Nazi army. The crossing was restored to its original form in 1949. The construction of the Széchenyi Bridge greatly contributed to the unification of Buda, Óbuda and Pest into a single city, called Budapest. This significant event took place in 1873.

18731914: Budapest golden capital of Europe
The period from the unification of the three cities to the outbreak of the First World War became a century of unprecedented prosperity for the newly formed capital. It was during this period that Budapest acquired that uniquely charming appearance that made millions of travelers from all over the world fall in love with it. The grandiose St. Stephen's Basilica, the majestic Parliament building, the Millennium Monument on Heroes' Square, Városliget Park with its amazing castle, the Great Boulevard Ring, the imposing Andrássy Avenue, listed as a masterpiece of urban planning of the late 19th century on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List... All these attractions arose in a very short period of time: their construction was timed to coincide with the magnificent festivities of 1896, dedicated to the millennium of the “finding of the Motherland by the Hungarians.” At the same time, the Budapest metro line M1 appeared, passing directly under Andrássy Avenue and connecting the city center with Városliget Park. By the way, it became the first subway on the European continent!
The economy and cultural life of the city reached unprecedented prosperity: Pest turned into one of the largest commercial centers, and its numerous coffee shops became a favorite meeting place for intellectuals and bohemians. Yes, indeed, this short but eventful period between the two world wars became Budapest's second golden age.

History of Budapest during the First and Second World Wars
Historically, Hungary was on the side of Austria and Germany in both world wars. And although Hungary became an independent state at the end of the First World War, the Treaty of Trianon, concluded by the Entente countries on June 4, 1920, became a real wound in the heart of every Hungarian. According to this agreement, Hungary lost 2/3 of its territory, millions of the country's residents found themselves on the other side of the new state border.
Both wars caused significant damage to the state's capital, especially World War II. Despite the rapid advance of the Soviet army, the Germans decided to provide last resistance to the enemy forces, choosing Budapest as a stronghold. As a result of heavy fighting that lasted for several months, the city was almost completely destroyed, and many historical buildings turned into ruins. In addition, Hitler's troops, retreating, blew up all the bridges across the Danube. It took 30 years to restore the city to its former appearance.

History of Budapest in the post-war period
Having liberated the city from German troops, the Red Army supported the Hungarian Communist Party, which for many years became the only ruling force in the country. This period, despite all its negative aspects, became an important stage in the transformation of Budapest into a large metropolis. On January 1, 1950, 7 more small towns and 16 villages were annexed to it, which led to an increase in the number of districts from 10 to 22. In a short period of time, many dull, similar houses were built here - typical creations of social development.
In the fall of 1956, the masses rebelled against the communist dictatorship. This uprising, called the "revolution of minds", was led by then Prime Minister Imre Nagy. In response, Warsaw Pact forces were brought into the country and brutally suppressed the uprising. Many Hungarians were killed, many were forced to leave the country, Imre Nagy himself and his associates were soon executed. Traces of shrapnel can still be seen on some houses in the very center of Budapest - evidence of the bloody drama of 1956.
During the 70s, the communist regime in Hungary gradually weakened. At that time, the general secretary of the Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party was János Kádár. Kadar was loyal to the Soviet Union and was generally obedient to the Kremlin, but his period in power was marked by a noticeable weakening of state control over various spheres of public life. This time, called “goulash communism,” was marked by the revival of culture and science. In addition, Kadar carried out a number of reforms aimed at reviving the private sector, thereby preparing the country to enter the pan-European market. These reforms and their consequences became the first crack in the Iron Curtain that separated Hungary from other European countries.
In 1990, the first free democratic elections since 1945 were held in Hungary, and in the same year the last Soviet soldier left the country. Following these events, privatization began, accompanied by significant investments from other Western European countries in the development of the country's economy. Hungary joined NATO in 1998, the European Union in 2005, and became a member of the Schengen Agreement in December 2007. These changes were also reflected in the urban landscape of Budapest. All statues from the communist regime were removed from the city streets. However, they did not destroy them, but decided to create a so-called reminder park dedicated to the dark era of totalitarianism. Nowadays this park is called the Museum of Monuments “Budapest XXII” and is located on the territory of Óbuda.
The era of totalitarianism and general depersonalization is a thing of the past; modern Budapest is one of the most dynamically developing European metropolises. More and more new hotels, restaurants, cafes, shopping centers are appearing here, plans are being developed to improve urban development and restore cultural monuments. And perhaps this is a new golden age in the history of the great capital.

The capital of Hungary and the largest city in the country, Budapest is one of the most ancient cities in Eastern Europe. The first Celtic or Illyrian settlement at this strategically advantageous location in the center of the vast, flat Carpathian Basin appeared approximately in the 1st century BC. e. In 89 AD e. this entire territory became part of the Roman province of Pannonia, and in 106 AD. e. The town received the name Aquincum, presumably derived either from the Celtic name of the settlement Ak-Ink, or from the Roman “aqua” - water. Until the 4th century, Aquincum was the capital of the province of Lower Pannonia and the location of the II Auxiliary Legion, but the Great Migration destroyed this idyll. In the middle of the 5th century, the Ostrogoths and Huns knocked the Romans out of the region, in the 6th century these regions were occupied by Avars (Obras) and Moravians, and around 895, Hungarian tribes (Magyars) came to the Danube from Trans-Urals. The former nomads who settled on fertile lands quickly assimilated with the local Wallachian tribes, Aquincum was renamed Buda (later Óbuda, that is, “Old Buda”), mastered the Bulgarian village of Pest, located on the eastern bank, and a century later proclaimed the first independent Magyar state. In 1361, Buda was proclaimed the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary, but after being captured by the Turks (1541) it fell into decay - only a century and a half later, the Buda Fortress was stormed by Austrian troops under the leadership of Eugene of Savoy, and the city began its revival. But still, by the middle of the 18th century, commercial Pest, located on the eastern flat bank of the Danube, significantly surpassed the old capital both in size and importance, so it was decided to merge Buda, Obuda and Pest into one city, which happened on November 17, 1873.

Budapest has a rather characteristic geography, which could not but affect its appearance. Its western part ( Buda) lies on the slopes of relatively high (up to 527 meters on Janos Hill) limestone-dolomite hills, replete with caves, and very large ones: Pálvölgyi reaches a length of 7.2 km, Szemlőhegyi - 2.2 km. The fault zone passing here has “rewarded” the city with another attraction - numerous outlets of medicinal underground waters, which greatly contributed to its development in the past. Plain Pest, lying on the gentle eastern shore, is more convenient for settlement and movement on foot, so most of the city’s architectural monuments are concentrated here. And the Danube, which divides Budapest into two parts, in this area reaches 230 meters in width and is replete with islands, the largest of which - Obudai-Sziget, Margit-Sziget, Haros-Sziget and others - are one way or another included in the city infrastructure. To this it is worth adding a huge island Szentedrei-Sziget, dividing the great river into two branches north of the city, that is, upstream. In addition, about 17% of its territory is occupied by parks and various green areas, and the Buda hills are an ecological reserve. Combined with a huge number of architectural and historical monuments, all this makes the capital of Hungary one of the most popular tourist sites in Europe.

Buda

Lying on the west bank Buda(Buda) is the historical center of the city, formed in parallel with the settlement of these places by the Slavs. Since ancient times, the elevated right bank, convenient for defense, has been considered an excellent place for protecting the districts of Obuda (Ak-Inka and Aquincuma) lying just below, therefore, from time immemorial, various defensive structures have been located here. The origin of the name Buda is not entirely clear - according to one version, it is named in honor of the Hun leader Bleda (Hungarian transcription - Buda), according to another, it comes from the Old Slavic "buda" ("house", "building"). This is the greenest part of the Hungarian capital, administratively part of the modern districts I-III, XI-XII and XXII, from which acquaintance with the city usually begins.

The business card of the right bank - Buda Castle(Budai Vár), or Royal Castle (Királyi Vár), crowning the stretch of almost 1.5 kilometers Castle Hill(Várhegy). This area is often separated into a separate district, in the old-fashioned way called Varnegyed (“Castle”), although a whole complex of beautiful historical buildings has long been spread around, almost hiding the ancient fortress walls. The first royal residence on this site was built in 1247-1265; in the 14th century, many modern parts of the palace were built, then it was seriously expanded, but the Turks who occupied the country almost did not use this complex, which was subsequently significantly damaged during the war of liberation. Only in 1715 did King Charles VI begin construction of a new royal palace, which was completed only in 1749. During the Hungarian Revolution of the mid-19th century, the castle was captured by the rebels and completely burned down, so in 1850-1856 the palace was actively restored, and literally 20 years later it again underwent reconstruction, which lasted right up to 1912. As a result, the already rather large complex turns into one of the largest palace ensembles in Europe, including almost fifty buildings and about one and a half thousand interior spaces. Heavy battles in 1944 again turned the castle into ruins, but post-war reconstruction made it possible to identify many previously unknown rooms, although it caused some damage to the historical layout. But even this factor did not prevent the hardworking Hungarians from once again transforming the ancient Royal Palace(Királyi-palota, Budavari Palota) into a unique historical and cultural complex, deservedly included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2002). You can get here by carefully renovated Siklo funicular(Budavári Sikló, 19th century) from Clark Ádám tér or by bus number 16 from Erzsébet tér.

In addition to getting to know this unique historical monument itself, which in itself can take more than one day, tourists have access to all sorts of museum collections - the southern part of the palace complex is almost entirely given over to exhibition organizations. The largest area is occupied by the meeting Hungarian National Gallery(Magyar Nemzeti Galeria, www.mng.hu), which has wings B, C and D. It is one of the leading art museums in the country and the entire continent, possessing an outstanding collection of Hungarian art from the Middle Ages to the present day. It was created in 1957 by merging the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, as well as a number of city museums and private collections, so it truly contains the best works of national masters - more than 100 thousand works in total. In addition to classical examples of easel painting and graphics, there are separate exhibitions of wooden sculpture and wood painting of the 14th-15th centuries, examples of church art, historical and battle paintings, as well as numerous works by modern masters.

Southeast Palace outbuilding E given to the meeting Museum of the History of Budapest(Budapesti Torteneti Muzeum, www.btm.hu), founded in 1887. Its exhibition consists of three parts - architecture, urban history and works of art, all of which are dedicated to the formation of Budapest from the Roman period to the Second World War. Moreover, the scope of the collection is very wide - it includes both classical types of exhibits - archaeological finds, maps, diagrams, photographs and canvases, as well as various household items, arts and crafts, crafts, weaving, fragments of architectural monuments, sculpture, ceramics, household utensils and so on. The branch of the Budapest History Museum is also the famous Kishtselli Museum in the nearby Óbuda area. By the way, in the southern part of the museum complex you can find one of the few truly ancient objects of the castle - part of the fortress wall 14th century with defensive tower Matze, or Buda (Buzogánytorony), as well as adjacent to it Ferdinand's Gate(Ferdinánd-kapu) of the same period.

Well, closing the vast courtyard of the royal palace outbuilding F completely occupied by the richest collection National Szechenyi Library(Országos Széchényi Könyvtár). Founded in 1802 by Count Ferenc Széchenyi (it was this philanthropist who donated more than 15 thousand books from his personal collection), it is entirely dedicated to historical documents and publications, one way or another dedicated to Hungary - more than 8 million items, in all languages ​​of the world. It is believed that there are all books ever published within the country, as well as copies of all publications about Hungary published abroad.

In front of the main entrance to the royal palace stands a monument to the Austrian commander and statesman Evgeniy Savoysky, who commanded the troops that liberated Buda from Turkish rule. Small figures on the pedestal symbolize the defeated Turks, and one of the columns of the fence is decorated with a sculpture of the mythical bird Turul - a totemic symbol of many Ugric peoples, including the Magyar tribes (it was also present on the coat of arms of the legendary Attila). Similar symbols can be found on the tops of the four masts of the Budapest Liberty Bridge.

At the northern walls of the royal palace, directly opposite the Széchenyi Bridge, rises another famous monument of Budapest - Sándora Palace(Sandor-palota). Built in 1803-1806 for Count Vincent Sandor, it then belonged to Archduke Albrecht, and after 1848 it was provided for the needs of the national government, until Prime Minister Gyula Andrássy renovated it in 1867 and made it his residence. In 1944, Allied bombers reduced the complex to a pile of broken bricks. After reconstruction, which lasted until 2003, Sándora Palace became the official residence of the President of the Hungarian Republic. In September, as part of the annual Hungarian Heritage Days, the palace hosts an exhibition and is open to visitors (sometimes opening its doors for events and on weekends during the summer months).

Three hundred meters north of the palace rises another monument of national importance - the Catholic St. Matthias Church(Matyas Templom, www.matyas-templom.hu). The first Christian temple on this site was erected in 1015, but during the Mongol invasion it was completely destroyed. In the middle of the 13th century, King Bela IV erected a new church in the Gothic style on this site, which was rebuilt in the second half of the 14th century using later elements. When the Turks occupied Buda (1526-1541), they turned the temple into a mosque and decorated the walls with sayings from the Koran. Therefore, in the years 1874-1896, it was reconstructed under the leadership of Friedek Schulek; all its interior decoration, including the famous stained glass windows, dates back to this period. And the 80-meter bell tower of the church became the tallest building of Buda Castle and the entire capital, in the historical core of which, even now, you rarely find houses taller than 40 meters. In the gallery leading from St. Stephen's Chapel to the underground crypt, there is a small museum of religious art, and thanks to the excellent acoustics, the church often hosts concerts of organ and symphonic music.

From the east, the temple is framed by a huge (about 140 meters) gallery of another architectural monument of the Hungarian capital - Fisherman's Bastion(Halaszbastya). The origin of the name of this belvedere has nothing to do with defense and is very prosaic - in the Middle Ages this section of the castle was protected by the city's fishing guild, and the square itself was used for trading fish. During the construction of the palace complex and the restoration of the church, Frydek Szulek in 1899-1905 designed and built an elegant staircase running from the bank of the Danube to the Buda Castle. To decorate its highest point, this elegant complex of galleries was designed with 7 conical hipped towers (according to the number of tribes that founded the Hungarian state), sculptural groups, arcades and balustrades, from which a magnificent view of the Danube and Pest opens. To walk through the bastion towers and St. Michael's Chapel in the summer (March - October) you will have to buy a ticket (600 forints), but in winter the visit is free.

Here, in the southeastern part of the Fisherman's Bastion Square, there is an equestrian monument to the first king of Hungary - Stephen the Great, who is the patron saint of the country, in whose honor August 20 is declared the main national holiday of the country and is celebrated with mass celebrations, fireworks and theatrical performances on the theme of national history. It is not surprising that most of these events culminate here.

Adjacent to the main facade of the temple from the west Holy Trinity Square(Szentharomsag ter), in the northern part of which the complex of the former Ministry of Finance is located, now given over to the exhibition Houses of Hungarian wines(Magyar Borok Haza - Budai Vár). This is a real museum, giving the visitor the opportunity to get acquainted with the products of 22 wine-growing regions of Hungary. More than 700 varieties of local wines are presented here, 70 of which can be tasted during the exhibition, and even purchased - the museum has its own trading house and offers safe delivery of purchases within Europe.

Old Town Hall of Budapest also located on Holy Trinity Square, in its southernmost part. However, it would be more correct to call this colorful white house with a turret, built in the Baroque style according to the design of the Italian architect Venerio Keresola, the Buda Town Hall, since from 1710 to 1873 it served as the city hall of the western part of the Hungarian capital. It is interesting that the turret is crowned with a statue of Pallas Athena, considered the patroness of Buda - such an uncharacteristic phenomenon for a Christian country. Currently, the town hall houses the exhibition of the Castle Museum, and in front of it rises a baroque Plague Pillar(Column of the Holy Trinity, Szentháromság Szobor), erected in honor of the city's deliverance from the plague.

Narrow streets diverge from Trinity Square in different directions. Old Buda, built up with palaces of the nobility and mansions of wealthy citizens with characteristic courtyards and deep medieval cellars. Each building here has its own centuries-old history and characteristic architectural elements, so you can wander around this area almost endlessly. In addition, there are many very unusual structures here, for example - an ultra-modern Hilton Hotel, in which the remains are gracefully embedded bell tower of the Church of St. Nicholas(XIII century) and fragments of the Dominican church, which was once located on this site. And quite unexpected for many will be the placement of a wonderful Marzipan Museum right here in the hotel, where you can not only get acquainted with the history and technology of making this delicacy, but also see copies of the most famous monuments on the planet made from it. It is not surprising that the best pastry shop in the city is also located here.

If you go up a little Mihai Tančić street(Táncsics Mihály utca) to the north, you can see the house in which the famous Hungarian composer Bela Bartok lived and worked - now this building houses the (Institute for Musicology) and a good Museum of Music History(Zenetörténeti Múzeum).

And on the street Szentháromság utca running from Holy Trinity Square to the southwest, directly opposite the northern wing of the Old Town Hall, which now houses the institute Collegium Budapest, there is a famous cafe-patisserie Ruszwurm Cukraszda. During the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it was a significant competitor to the most prestigious Viennese establishments (Empress Elizabeth of Bavaria, the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I, loved to come here), and now it is the most authentic establishment of its kind in the capital. And a block to the south you can visit an interesting pharmacy museum(Arany Sas Pharmacy Museum), located in a mansion built in 1745 in the classicist style with baroque elements.

In the northwestern part of the historical quarter, on the square Kapisztran ter(named in honor of the canonized Franciscan monk John Capistran, whose monument is erected here), you can find another historical monument - the bell tower Church of Mary Magdalene(1274). Built in a mixed Baroque-Gothic style as main temple Buda guards, the church was turned into ruins during the Second World War, so in 1997 only the bell tower was restored, which now houses 24 bells, and an observation deck is open in the summer (from Thursday to Sunday, from 9:00 to 18:00) . And on the site of the church nave it was built Garden of Ruins, where the surviving fragments of the entire structure are presented.

From Kapisztran ter square you can go down the street Úri útca(“Governor’s”) to the entrance to the castle catacombs, which were used either as wine cellars, or as a hospital and bomb shelter, or as a modern art center. Now in this underground labyrinth there is laid a tourist route about 1200 meters long, along which there are sculptures illustrating the most dramatic moments of Hungarian history, and also several thematic rooms for wine tasting, buffets, relaxation, and so on. Exhibitions and various cultural events are regularly held here. The complex is currently under reconstruction.

To the east of the Church of Mary Magdalene you can find several scientific institutions, also occupying various mansions of the 18th-19th centuries, as well as a beautiful complex State Archives of Hungary(1923), which houses a huge amount of historical documents. In front of it there is a monument dedicated to the Hungarian poet and translator Ferenc Kazinc, and nearby rises also a neo-baroque church, badly damaged during the war. Lutheran Church(Budavári Evangélikus Templom, 1895), restored in 1948.

Vizivaros

Between Castle Hill and the Danube there is a narrow strip Vizivaros(Víziváros, “Water City”), which once served as just the port outskirts of Buda, but has now turned into a prestigious area with a huge number of beautiful old Baroque buildings, narrow streets and flowering gardens. Its centerline is Fő utca Street, following the route of the ancient Roman road and running from north to south parallel to the Danube through the entire city. The center of Vizivaros can be considered a small area Batyani(Battyány tér), lying 100 meters below the Fisherman's Bastion. On it rises a Catholic St. Anne's Church(Szent Anna-plébánia). It was built in 1740-1752 in the Italian Baroque style, but in 1763 the temple was damaged by an earthquake, and in 1773 the Jesuit order that oversaw the construction was dissolved, so it was consecrated only in 1805. However, it was constantly haunted by fires and floods, so in 1970-1984 a thorough reconstruction of the temple was carried out, which is now considered one of the best Baroque buildings in Hungary. At the same time, the unique frescoes of the dome (1771) and nave (1938), the main altar (1773) and the ancient organ, moved here from the Carmelite church, have been preserved.

Also in Vizivaros you can find many other historical sites - Szechenyi Bridge, or Chain (Szechenyi lanchid, 1849) - the first permanent bridge connecting Buda and Pest, and one of the largest in the world at the time of construction; its continuation is the tunnel under the Fortress Hill, opening from the west onto Alagút utca street, the lower station of the Sikló funicular leading to the Buda Palace, the former Capuchin Church of St. Erzsebet(XV-XVII centuries, the only building in the city that has preserved elements of the Ottoman style), Lajos fountain(1904) on Corvin ter square, Greek Catholic Chapel of St. Florian(1759-1760; Fo utca, 88), the northernmost Islamic monument in Central Europe - tomb of the Turkish dervish Gul Baba(Gül Baba Turbeje, 1543-1548) in a picturesque Rose garden(Rózsakert, in 1885 the Turkish authorities bought the site with the tomb, previously used as the Christian chapel of St. Joseph, and restored it to its original form), Margaret Bridge(Margit híd, 1872-1876) - the second in time of creation in Budapest and so on.

If you go south from the Szechenyi Bridge, then on the southern slope of Castle Hill you can see (Semmelweis Medical Museum) with an extensive archive and a collection of old instruments, 16th century Turkish tombs(all that remains of the once extensive Muslim cemetery), monument to Empress Erzsebet(this is how the name of Elizabeth of Bavaria, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I, is pronounced in Hungarian), bridges Erzsebet(Erzsébet híd, erected in 1964 on the site of one blown up by the Nazis) and Freedom(Szabadság híd, 1894-1896, also restored in 1946 after being blown up by German troops).

In the same area there is another world famous monument - Kiraly baths, or Royal (Király gyógyfürdő; Fő utca, 84). This is one of the oldest complexes of its kind in Europe, built in 1565-1570 by Arslan Pasha right inside the fortress walls of Vizivaros, which once again indicates its importance. All 4 swimming pools are fed by the same Lukács springs as in the Middle Ages; there are Turkish baths, massage rooms and other attributes of similar establishments. Following Turkish tradition, the complex is open on women's and men's days, and its visits by children under 14 years of age are prohibited due to the special chemical composition of the water.

South of Castle Hill on the right bank of the Danube is the greenest part of Buda - Mount Gellert(Gellert-hegy). It's actually just a hill with a height of only 235 meters, but the steep and rocky eastern slopes do give it some resemblance to a mountain. For several centuries, almost the entire hill was covered with vineyards, and the surrounding Taban region was an important wine-making center. According to legends, Sabbaths were held here in the Middle Ages, hence the name “Witch Mountain,” so in the 18th century a chapel was built on the top, which was a place of pilgrimage. But the hill became a truly iconic place after the construction St. Gellert Memorial with a picturesque colonnade and waterfall. According to legend, it was from this rock that in the 11th century the pagans threw the Italian missionary Gerard, stabbing him in a barrel studded with nails. Now the statue rises in the northern part of the mountain directly opposite the Erzsébet híd Bridge, and you can get to it simply on foot along numerous paths with intermediate observation platforms, laid in abundance along the slopes.

The very top of the mountain is crowned by a citadel ( Citadella), built by the Habsburgs in the mid-19th century to control the city, since from such a height almost all of it was under fire, and the events of the Hungarian national liberation uprising of 1948-1949 were still very fresh in the memory of the Austrians. At the end of World War II, the fortress became one of the last centers of resistance to the Nazis, and was therefore heavily damaged during the fighting. Now it houses a restaurant and a hotel, as well as an observation deck with a wonderful view of the city and many souvenir shops. Its eastern part is closed by one of the most controversial monuments in Budapest - The Statue of Liberty. It was erected in 1947 in memory of the Soviet soldiers who died during the liberation of Hungary from the Nazis, and was called the Liberation Monument. However, after 1990, the bronze figure of the liberating warrior and the scarlet star were removed from the composition, the names of the fallen Soviet heroes were erased, and the monument received a new name and a completely different meaning.

At the southern foot of the mountain, opposite the openwork steel Freedom Bridge(Szabadság híd), there is a hotel building and a bathhouse "Gellert" is one of the most famous in Budapest. The complex was built in 1912-1918 on the site of 16th-century Turkish baths, which in turn were rebuilt from Roman baths. In the years 1927-1934, the complex expanded and turned into one of the most charming buildings of its kind in the Hungarian capital. The unique ceiling and authentic furnishings in the Art Nouveau style, colorful stained glass windows and mosaics, marble columns and sculptures have been preserved here, and 13 swimming pools with hot mineral water (including two outdoor ones), saunas, a modern medical center and massage rooms allow you to count Gellert baths some of the best in the country. Nearby is a beautiful complex built in 1973 Armenian Catholic Church(Örmény katolikus templom; Orlay utca, 6) - the main temple of this diaspora in the country.

On the northeastern slope of the hill there is a small complex Baths "Rudas"(Rudas gyógyfürdő), also founded by the Turks in the middle of the 16th century. Sometimes called the “Bathhouse with a Green Column” (a strange whim of the architect - of the 8 columns that supported the 10-meter dome over the main pool, one was actually green), it was rebuilt in the 19th century, and for a long time only men were allowed entry here. Now this is a public and very nice place with a full range of appropriate medical services, and thermal water is supplied here from three sources at once - Hungaria, Atilla and Juventus.

Obuda

The oldest part of the Hungarian capital is Obuda(Óbuda), or Old Buda, lies in the north of the historical quarters of the right bank, opposite the Arpad Bridge and the islands Margaret-Sziget and Obudai-Sziget. She grew up on the site of the Roman Aquincum, destroyed by the Huns. Under the Arpads, the settlement grew rapidly and practically swallowed up the ancient buildings, so today outwardly this area of ​​old factories and high-rise buildings bears little resemblance to the historical center. However, active excavations and an abundance of very authentic buildings make Óbuda one of the most colorful areas of Budapest.

Roman ruins Aquincuma(Aquincum) - the calling card of Óbuda, together with the Buda Castle and Andrássy Avenue, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. For almost six centuries the capital of Pannonia and home to the Second Auxiliary Legion, it was considered the largest outpost of the empire in the northeast. A central heating system was installed here, public baths, numerous palaces and amphitheaters were built; it was a major Danube port and a center of science. At the intersection of Szentendrei út and Keled út (in fact, this place lies outside the boundaries of modern Óbuda), excavations at the end of the 19th century uncovered a vast complex of Roman buildings - two amphitheaters from the mid-2nd century AD. e., the remains of houses and streets of the ancient civil city, the ruins of Roman baths, fragments of colonnades and many other buildings. Nowadays there is an open-air museum called Aquincum, displaying the remains of the ancient Roman city. This area itself is now called Romaifürdő(literally translated - “Roman Baths”), and although it is almost entirely built up with high-rise buildings and private houses, in fact it is exactly the place where the history of this city began.

In the southern part of Óbuda, between the Szentendrei út highway and the coast, there is the core of historical buildings dating back to Magyar times. Traditionally, its center is considered to be the square Foter(Fyo, that is, "Main"), decorated with a bronze sculptural composition " Women in the rain"by Imre Varga (1923). Its main decoration is a two-story baroque Zichy Palace(Zichy-kastély), built in 1746-1757 as the residence of the aristocratic Zichy family, which owned all of Óbuda in the 18th century. Currently, the collections of three museums are located here - Lajos Kassak(Kassák Múzeum, dedicated to the work of this Hungarian avant-garde artist of the early 20th century), Victor Vasarely Museum(Vasarely Múzeum, talks about the French artist, graphic artist and sculptor of Hungarian origin, who is the founder of the genre of “optical art”) and Obudai Museum, or the Óbudai Múzeum, is a charming historical collection with carefully restored living rooms, workshops of local craft communities and a nice collection of antique toys.

Here, in a baroque mansion on the western part of the square (Fő tér, 4), there is a charming ethnographic collection of Sigmund Kuhn(Kun Zsigmond Népműveszéti Gyűjtemeny). This passionate collector, better known to Budapest residents as "Uncle Sigmund", together with his wife Erzsébet Szabó, over the course of 107 years of his life, collected in his apartment an excellent collection of folk textiles, ceramics and furniture from all over the Carpathian Basin - this became the basis of this museum. And just a block to the north (Laktanya utca, 7) is located Imre Varga Museum(Varga Imre Múzeum, Imre Varga Collection) - one of the most famous sculptors and artists in Hungary, whose works decorate not only the best collections in the country, but are also found everywhere on the streets of cities throughout Europe.

In the middle of a small park in the western part of Óbuda stands a baroque Kiscelli Castle(Kiscelli utca, 108), built in the 18th century for a Trinitarian monastery. After many years of devastation, the complex was carefully restored and now houses a collection of historical Kishtselli Museum(Kiscelli Múzeum), which is a branch Museum of the History of Budapest. The exhibition is dedicated to the modern and recent history of Budapest, there is also a collection of the Budapest Municipal Gallery of Sculptures and Graphics (works by Hungarian masters of the 20th century) and a collection of antique furniture, and the Gothic monastery church regularly hosts classical music concerts, film screenings and other events.

And just a 15-minute walk to the south (Pusztaszeri út, 35) is the entrance to one of the most interesting natural sites of the Hungarian capital - Szemlőhegyi caves. This underground complex, with a total length of approximately 2,200 meters, offers visitors an abundance of breathtaking stalactite forms, unique gypsum grottoes and wide tunnels, while specially designed lighting enhances the beauty of the cave formations. By the way, the cleanest air of the underground, the temperature of which stays around +12°C all year round, is very favorable for those suffering from asthma and other respiratory diseases, so a visit also has a healing effect. At the entrance there is an exhibition telling about the largest cave complexes of the Buda hills.

Pest

The most extensive and rich interesting objects part of the capital of Hungary - Pest(Pešť) lies in the flat eastern part of the city. In the Roman period it was called Contra Aquincum, that is, "Against Aquincum", and was a small trading settlement. After the arrival of the Huns and Slavs, Pest began to actively grow (the Magyars immediately chose the more advantageously located Buda for their settlement), but its unprotected position led to the fact that in 1241 the Mongols completely destroyed the town, and the arrival of the Turks in the 16th century froze the development of both settlements for a long time . However, after getting rid of the Ottoman yoke, it was Pest that demonstrated literally explosive growth - by the beginning of the 20th century, 5 times more people lived here than in Buda and Obuda combined. As a result, over the course of just a century and a half, a huge number of palaces and rich mansions, churches and parks, shopping areas and theaters grew up here, providing serious competition to the imperial capital itself - Vienna. Therefore, it is not surprising that even now, a century after the formation of modern Budapest, many Hungarians call their capital in the old fashioned way - Pest.

The historical center of Pest is the area Belvaros(Belváros, that is, “Inner City”), formed on the left bank of the Danube inside the old fortress walls. Now its borders are considered to be the Freedom Bridge and the boulevard that continues it. Vámház körút in the south, boulevards Múzeum körút And Károly körút in the east, and also Deák Ferenc utca in the north. Lying at the intersection of the latter Ferenc Deak Square(Deák Ferenc tér) serves as a “shelter” for perhaps the most famous historical monument of the area - Lutheran Church(Deák téri evangelikus templom). It was built in the neoclassical style in 1799-1808, that is, immediately after the law on religious tolerance was passed in Hungary, allowing Protestants to freely practice their faith. And just a block south, on the square Szervita ter, rises St. Anne's Church(Belvárosi Szent Anna Plébániatemplom, Szervita templom), belonging to the Catholic Servite Order. Built in 1725-1732, it was rebuilt several times, and the monastery that once surrounded it was completely demolished after World War II, so its unusual appearance with a tall white bell tower combines features of different styles.

Adjacent to the Szervita tér square from the east is a huge city ​​hall complex(Főpolgármesteri Hivatal), stretching all the way to Károly körút. Tourist access to the interior of this majestic complex is limited, but its southern courtyard is dedicated to an exhibition of ancient urban sculpture, which contains many decorative elements that once adorned houses and wells throughout Budapest - access here is free. And from the west, the beautiful facade of the former Turkish Bank building, built in 1906, overlooks the Szervita tér square.

In the very center of Belvaros there is a small (in this part of the city many squares really differ little from a large intersection) square Ferenciek ter. It is decorated with an exquisite complex Parisian arcade(Párizsi Udvar, 1911) in the Art Nouveau style. Nowadays it houses a bookshop, a newsagent and a popular bar, but most tourists come here to see the wonderful carved interiors with lacy glass ceilings. And literally across the road (Kossuth Lajos utca) rises Franciscan Church of Pest(Pesti Ferences Templom, 1690-1743), or St. Peter's Church (Alkantarai Szent Péter templom) is one of the most visited churches in the central part of the city.

Three blocks to the west, already on the very banks of the Danube in front of Erzsebet Bridge(Erzsébet híd), the main temple of the Old Town rises - Belvaros parish church(Belvárosi Plébániatemplom) - the first burial place of the remains of St. Gellert, killed by the pagans. The exact time of its foundation is unknown, although in 1046 it was already in operation, then the church was rebuilt several times, and in the 16th century the Turks turned it into a mosque, so in the 18th-19th centuries the temple underwent a thorough reconstruction in the Baroque style. In 1976-1977, the old iconostasis and choir were restored, and the restoration in 2011 unexpectedly revealed a number of previously unknown rooms, so now this temple is deservedly considered one of the most interesting in Budapest.

Just a block north along the shore lies the square Petőfi ter, the main decoration of which is considered to be a bronze statue (1882) of the founder of Hungarian poetry Sandora Petofi and the largest in Budapest Orthodox Assumption Cathedral(1791-1801) - still working, by the way. And just a block east you can find one of the most famous restaurants in Budapest - Szazeves Etterem(“Centenary Restaurant”), opened in 1831 and famous, in addition to its cuisine, for its rich interiors with folklore motifs (the house itself is one of the capital’s protected historical monuments). Interestingly, just two blocks south, already behind the strip of Szabad sajtó street facing the Erzsebet Bridge, there is another world famous restaurant - opened in 1904 Matyas Pince Etterem(Március 15. tér, 7), occupying the complex of an old brewery.

Six blocks south, on the corner of Veres Pálné utca and Szerb utca, stands another religious landmark - the Serbian Orthodox Church of St. George(Szent György nagyvértanú szerb ortodox templom), or St. Györð. Fleeing from the Turks, Serbian settlers built a church here around 1695-1698 with donations from a large community of artisans and traders, using the foundation of a medieval temple for this. In 1733-1752, a bell tower was erected, in 1850 - a Renaissance iconostasis, after which the temple acquired its modern appearance. Surrounded by a stone fence, a small garden with wrought-iron gate gates and a medallion above the entrance depicting St. George slaying a serpent gives this small but very elegant-looking temple a very recognizable and picturesque appearance. And around, within a radius of a couple of blocks, you can find many historical mansions and apartment buildings, today occupied by prestigious gymnasiums, university faculties and hotels.

And if you go northeast along Szerb utca, then literally after four blocks you can come to a whole complex of historical buildings on the street Károlyi Mihály utca, among which Eotvos Laurent University(Eötvös Loránd University), University Church(Egyetemi Templom) Petofi Literary Museum(Petőfi Irodalmi Múzeum) and Mihai Karoly's Palace(Károlyi-palota) - the first president of the Hungarian Republic, as well as the already mentioned Franciscan Church of Pest(Pesti Ferences Templom) at the intersection with Kossuth Lajos utca.

If you pass by the Karoly Palace and the one lying behind it park Karolyi kert block to the east, then you can go to Museum Boulevard(Múzeum körút), which is worth going down to the south to visit the majestic complex Hungarian National Museum(Magyar Nemzeti Muzeum, founded in 1802), dedicated to the history and art of Hungary. It houses a rich collection of archeology and history of the country, an excellent musical exhibition, books and manuscripts, as well as numismatic and portrait galleries. And if you follow further towards the river, you can see Calvinist Church(Kálvin téri református templom, 1830) and Central Market Complex(Központi Vásárcsarnok, 19th century) - all of them are administratively located outside Belvaros.

The true decoration of Belváros is also the main shopping street of Budapest - Vaci(Vaci utca). Starting in the north from Vörösmarty tér Square, it stretches through the entire Old Town to Fővám tér Square opposite the central market. This is a real center of many shops and restaurants, cafes and prestigious hotels, theaters and nightclubs, concerts and exhibition halls of all kinds. In addition, the houses and sculptural groups that form this pedestrian zone were mostly built during the dawn of Budapest Art Nouveau, and therefore are themselves distinguished by the richness of their architectural designs and the sophistication of their decoration.

Lipotváros

The area located at the northern edge of the former city walls Lipotváros(Lipótváros) together with the historical core of the city is part of the V administrative district of Belváros - Lipótváros. Its name translates as “the city of Leopold” (on many historical maps it is designated as Leopoldstadt, which is associated with the act of coronation of Emperor Leopold II in 1790), and for a long time it itself was the location of units of the Budapest garrison.

The historical center of the area is considered Vörösmarty Square(Vörösmarty tér), from which the main shopping street of Budapest begins - Vaci(Vaci utca). Its calling card is the historic Café Gerbeaud, Vörösmarty tér, 7, located in the northern part of the square. Founded in 1858 by Henrik Kügler, this is Budapest's most famous coffee shop and one of the best pastry shops in Europe. In 1884, the famous establishment was acquired by the Swiss confectioner Emile Gerbaut, who invented the later classic sweet konyakos meggy (caramel with cherry liqueur) and seriously expanded the assortment, turning the cafe into a real place of pilgrimage for gourmets. At the same time, the prices here were very reasonable, and the production located in the catacombs was the most modern. As a result, “Gerbo” quickly competed with the most prestigious coffee houses in Vienna, and even the ups and downs of history practically did not affect this establishment with a unique interior decoration. Nationalization is the only period when the cafe had a different name, and even that had a very slight effect on it, and now the carefully renovated establishment still pleases local residents and guests of the city, having turned into a popular tourist attraction.

In addition, on the square itself you can find a lot of interesting things - in addition to the very convenient metro station for tourists (Földalattivasút, “yellow line”), there is fountain complex, statue of the poet and translator Mihaly Vörösmarty, as well as two beautiful Art Nouveau buildings - a former department store complex famous for its decoration Luxus Aruház and equally richly decorated Bank Palace(1913-1915, now a shopping gallery). And just a block to the west is the second largest concert hall in Budapest - " Vigado"(Vigadó). Built in 1865, the building is famous for its excellent acoustics (it hosts performances by the best stage artists from around the world), a magnificent facade, unique frescoes in the central lobby, as well as regular exhibitions of contemporary Hungarian art in a two-level gallery.

Literally 30 meters south of the entrance to the concert hall there is one of the most colorful monuments of the city - bowing to passers-by Shakespeare monument(2003) - an exact copy of the original sculpture installed in the Australian city of Ballarat. From the pier at Vigado Square(Vigadó tér) is where most Danube cruises depart, and the surrounding area is home to many popular shopping spots and hotels, making the area a constant draw for tourists.

By the way, the Budapest metro station located under Vörösmarty Square Vörösmarty tér is the terminus of this very first line of the city (opened in 1896), and therefore an interesting metro museum is opened at the nearby Deák Ferenc tér station. And on Christmas Eve, the square turns into one huge bazaar, where you can not only buy authentic gifts for the holiday, but also just sit in the numerous cafes and restaurants that abound around this picturesque place.

Three hundred meters northeast of Vörösmarty tér square is the calling card of the area - St. Stephen's Basilica(Szent Istvan-bazilika). Construction of the cathedral in honor of the first king of Hungary began in 1851 and lasted for 54 years (in 1868, the almost finished dome collapsed, so it had to be built anew and according to a different project), but in the end it turned out to be the tallest building in the city (96 meters along the bell tower, however, the parliament complex has the same height) and one of the largest churches in Hungary with a very characteristic appearance. In this neoclassical basilica with two high bell towers you can see one of the national shrines - the chapel with the relics of St. Stephen, his beautifully illuminated statue in the altar space and other unique sculptural compositions, strikingly rich interiors and majestic stained glass windows with the images of saints, the largest bell in the country and that same unique dome with a diameter of 22 meters, on which there is a fresco depicting the biblical story of the creation of the world.

On the north side St. Stephen's Square(Szent Istvan ter), directly opposite the basilica, there is a building Museum of Trade and Tourism(Kereskedelmi es Vendeglatoipari Muzeum). This is a rather unusual collection, mostly consisting of temporary exhibitions on the history of the city and its architecture, the development of the Art Nouveau style, fashion and art. And in the spacious upper tier of the complex, all kinds of musical, theatrical and culinary exhibitions are regularly held.

Three blocks north-west of the temple is one of the iconic places of Lipotváros - the vast Freedom Square(Szabadsag ter). Until 1886, this site was the site of a huge complex of Neugebode barracks, used to house the Austrian garrison, as a prison and place of execution for those disliked by the monarchy. It was here that one of the leaders of the Hungarian uprising of 1848, Count Lajos Battyany, was executed, as well as many other participants in those events. It is not surprising that the “Budapest Bastille” was literally hated by the people and its demolition in 1897 was greeted with enthusiasm, and the resulting square became a symbol of the country’s independence for a long time. At the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries, the surrounding area of ​​the square was built up with beautiful mansions in the characteristic Hungarian Art Nouveau style, including modern buildings US embassy, Hungarian Radio Television Company(Tőzsde, former stock exchange) and headquarters of the National Bank of Hungary(Magyar Nemzeti Bank). And on the eastern side of the American Embassy you can find one of the most picturesque buildings in Pest - post office-sberkassa Savings Postal Bank(Postatakarék-pénztár). The building was erected in 1899-1902 according to the design of the famous architect Eden Lechner and is considered the founder of a new style, combining modernism standards with elements of national motifs. And the roof, decorated with flowers, angel wings, dragon tails and other exotic motifs, has no analogues at all - when the master was asked why such a rich decoration in an element completely invisible from the street, he replied: “Why shouldn’t the birds admire them?”

In the middle of a small square in the center of Freedom Square rises monument to soldiers of the Soviet Army, who fell during the liberation of Budapest from fascism (1946), near the American embassy - Monument to General Harry H. Bandholz(in October 1919 he saved many historical monuments of Budapest from looting by Romanian troops, and in the USA he is considered one of the founders of the military police), and a block to the north, at the intersection of Bathory utca and Hold utca streets, there is a small square with a lamp Eternal Flame(1926), dedicated to the memory of Lajos Battyany and other victims of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. It is interesting that under the street Vécsey utca, which runs away from Freedom Square to the northwest, is " Matthias Rakosi bunker"Built to protect the top of the Hungarian Workers' Party in 1949-1953 and having exits to the metro and the parliament building, it is practically inaccessible to tourists, but there are a lot of legends about it here.

Three blocks northwest of Szabadsag ter Square, a vast green area begins, surrounding another calling card of Budapest - Houses of Parliament(Orszaghaz). This picturesque white-stone palace in the neo-Gothic style rises on the very banks of the Danube and is perfectly visible from the hills of Buda, and its unusual architectural style makes it one of the most beautiful administrative complexes in Europe. The complex was built between the Széchenyi and Margaret bridges according to the design of Imre Steindl between 1885 and 1904. The Parliament is the largest building in Hungary - 268 meters in length, 24 graceful turrets and a 96-meter central dome, 90 statues of Hungarian rulers and 242 allegorical bas-reliefs, 10 courtyards, 27 gates and 691 rooms with a total area of ​​about 18 thousand square meters. meters plus a gallery of Hungarian historical and battle art. The complex, which regularly hosts excursions for tourists (including in Russian; access is closed during parliamentary sessions), also houses one of the country’s national shrines - the royal regalia of St. Stephen: the crown (Szent Korona, approximately 10th century), scepter, orb and sword.

On the adjacent from the east Kossuth Square(Kossuth Lajos tér) two more buildings were erected in the same style - Palace of the Supreme Court(1896, now there is an excellent ethnographical museum(www.neprajz.hu) - one of the largest in Europe) and Ministry of Agriculture(Vidékfejlesztési Minisztérium). Also on the square you can see unique examples of sculptural art - Monuments to Lajos Kossuth And Ferenc Rakosi, and at the southern walls of parliament there is a sad monument to one of the most beautiful poets of Hungary, Attile Jozsef(Attila József).

And five blocks south of the parliamentary complex, also on the Danube embankment, stands a neo-Renaissance building building of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences(Magyar Tudományos Akadémia, XX century). Adjacent to the complex from the south Szechenyi Square(Széchenyi István tér, sometimes called Roosevelt Square), the eastern edge of which forms a majestic complex Gresham Palace(Gresham-palota, 1907), which is now occupied by a fashionable hotel Four Seasons. Once almost in disrepair, the building underwent a thorough renovation between 1995 and 2004, and now you can see many details of the original decoration, such as the luxurious main staircase, stained glass windows, mosaic floors, wrought iron railings and trellises, as well as a picturesque winter garden. The eastern end of the famous Széchenyi chain bridge(Széchenyi lánchíd, 1849) - the first permanent bridge over the Danube.

North of Lipótváros lies the region New Lipotváros(Újlipótváros), which includes the left bank of the Danube (the island of Margaret-Sziget is not part of this district) up to Váci út street. Administratively part of the outlying XIII district of the capital, it is nevertheless considered part of historical center cities. Separated from Lipótváros by St. Stephen's Boulevard (Szent István körút), it was for a long time an industrial area, but between 1927 and 1944 it was rebuilt into a prestigious residential area, where many beautiful Art Nouveau mansions can still be found. The buildings of the early 20th century - the so-called " Palatinus-houses", built in 1910-1911 in a very interesting style, incorporating modernism, classicism and many other architectural elements. The area on the banks of the Danube opposite the island of Margaret Sziget - around St. Stephen's Park and along the embankment - is the most prestigious - this is where representatives of the middle class prefer to settle and you can see the most characteristic examples of local architecture, including mansions" Danube houses" (Dunapark houses, 1935) works by Béla Hofstaffer and Ferenc Domany, which are considered the most outstanding examples of Hungarian modernism.

New Lipotváros is also worth seeing monument to Raoul Wallenberg(1955) on Pozsonyi út, Lehel tér square with its beautiful Church of St. Margaret(Árpád-házi Szent Margit-templom, built in 1933 as a copy of a destroyed Romanesque church in the village of Zsambek, 25 km west of Budapest), a very interesting exhibition Hungarian Railway Museum(www.mavnosztalgia.hu), as well as relax in bath Dagály fürdő(Népfürdő utca, 36) with huge outdoor pools or on the one and a half kilometer artificial beach Budapest Plázs at Újpesti rakpart. Well, in the very north, almost on the outskirts, is located the most modern water park of the Hungarian capital - Aquaworld(www.aqua-world.hu), one of the ten largest in Europe - its five-story central dome has a diameter of 72 meters, and 17 pools offer every imaginable type of water recreation.

Terezvaros and Erzsbetvaros

Since ancient times, the central part of Pest has been named Terézváros ("Teresa's City", VI district) and Erzsébetváros ("Elizabeth's City", VII district). From the middle of the 13th century, these areas were inhabited by successful traders - Slavs and Germans in the northern part (Terezváros) and Jews in the southern (Erzsbetváros). As a result, the numerous mansions, warehouses, apartment buildings and hotels built here in the 18th-19th centuries bear a clear imprint of the history of the dynasties that owned them and are decorated with colorful wrought iron grilles, gates, weather vanes and narrow windows. And the numerous courtyards sometimes really resemble serfs. Now this is an area of ​​embassies and banks, cafes and museums, very popular among tourists precisely for its authenticity.

From Erzsébet tér Square, just a block south of St. Stephen's Cathedral, begins perhaps the most famous street in Budapest - Andrassy Avenue, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This arrow-straight path was originally designed by architects Miklós Ibl and Eden Lechner in 1881-1884 for the Hungarian Millennium celebrations as the main artery of Pest, stretching 2.5 kilometers to Heroes' Square (Hősök tere) and Városliget Park. Entirely built up with magnificent buildings in the eclectic, neo-Renaissance and Art Nouveau styles, it is deservedly compared with the most beautiful streets of European capitals, and the abundance of museums and shops, cafes and restaurants, cute monuments and cozy alleys has long made it one of the most popular tourist sites in the Hungarian capital.

In the corner building closest to Erzsébet ter Square there is an interesting Postal Museum(Postai és Távközlési Múzeum) with a typical collection of philatelic exhibits from different eras, as well as separate exhibitions of delivery vehicles, a collection of postal carriages, pneumatic mail, telegraph apparatus and many other interesting objects. In the same block is the office of the LogMeIn company, famous for its beautiful façade elements by the Hungarian sculptor A. Strobl.

Three blocks further on the left hand there is a view of the majestic complex Hungarian State Opera(Magyar Állami Operaház). This largest theater complex in the country was built in 1875-1884 according to the design of the architect Miklos Ibl in the Italian neo-Renaissance style and is still considered the third in Europe in terms of the acoustic characteristics of the stage. The interior decoration of the building is equally rich, on which the best craftsmen of their time worked. Installed in front of the facade monuments to Franz Liszt And Ferenc Erkel(Erkel Ferenc; creator of the national anthem of Hungary and founder of the national opera) by the same A. Strobl. In addition to attending the performances, it is possible to explore the building on your own - to do this, you just need to purchase a ticket for a special 45-minute tour with an English-speaking guide at the Opera Shop located at the entrance on Hajos utca street.

On the right side, directly opposite the opera, rises the picturesque Dreschler Palace(Dreschler-palota), built in 1883-1886 according to the design of Odon Lechner and Gyula Partos. For a long time, this beautiful neo-Gothic complex housed the Ballet Institute and the State Art Institute, but now it has been sold to a private investor and its fate is not completely clear. By the way, if you go down Hajos utca street a block to the southeast, you can see the complex New Theater(Paulay Ede utca, 35), which is often called "Parisiana". This is very unusual building Built at the end of the 19th century as a cabaret in the Secession style, in 1921-1924 it was rebuilt in the Art Deco style using a facade made of glass and steel, unusual for those years. Now this is one of the most popular theater venues in the capital, where performances of various genres take place.

And a block east of the opera house are Hungarian house photos(Magyar Fotográfusok Háza - Mai Manó Ház) and complex Operetta Theater(Budapest Operetta-theater; Nagymező utca, 17), operating here since 1923. The building was completely reconstructed in 1999-2001 and today, in addition to its main function, it houses a luxurious nightclub on its territory Moulin Rouge, several cafes, studios and shops. And literally across the road you can find another stage area - Miklos Radnoti Drama Theater(Radnóti Miklós Színház), also recently extensively renovated.

Two blocks to the east is a beautiful Art Nouveau building that now houses the exhibition Ernst Museum(Ernst Muzeum; Nagymező utca, 8, www.ernstmuzeum.hu). Founded in 1912 by the collector Lajos Ernst as a private collection, today it has become the most important exhibition center for Hungarian fine and applied art of the 20th century. And literally across the road from it rise the parish Church of Saint Teresa of Avila(Avilai Nagy Szent Teréz Plébánia, 1801-1811) with the most picturesque interiors and one of the oldest music educational institutions in the country - Bela Bartok Gymnasium(Bartók Béla Zeneművészeti Szakközépiskola és Gimnázium, founded in 1840).

If you move along Andrássy Avenue further to the northeast, you can reach the small squares of Jókai tér and Liszt Ferenc tér squares. Around them there are many noteworthy buildings, among which the children's theater complex stands out." Hummingbird"(Kolibri Theater; Jókai tér, 10) with branches Kolibri Pince("Hummingbird Basement") and Kolibri Feszek(“Hummingbird Nest”) a little further along the avenue; building built in 1904-1907 Franz Liszt Academy of Music(Liszt Ferenc Zenemuveszeti Egyetem) with a museum, a Liszt research center, a large neo-Renaissance concert hall and the Bartok School of Music.

It starts a little further Oktogon Square(Oktogon ter) at the intersection with The Great Boulevard Ring(Nagykörút), which is a very convenient starting point for exploring the entire area - there is the Oktogon station of the "yellow" (M1) metro line and several public transport stops on the Andrássy út and Teréz körút boulevards. By the way, the “yellow” metro line running under Andrássy Avenue has fairly short runs between stations - sometimes literally two or three blocks “on the ground”, so using it to explore the main attractions of the area is very convenient. And the octagonal Oktogon Square itself is built up with beautiful buildings of the late 19th century, in which you can find numerous cafes and restaurants with open terraces in the Mediterranean style.

Three blocks further along the avenue you can reach a large exhibition complex. On the right hand is a memorial Franz Liszt Museum(Liszt Ferenc Emlékmúzeum; Vörösmarty utca, 35) with an extensive exhibition dedicated to the great composer, which contains many original things. It also houses the former Royal Hungarian School of Drawing (Magyar Kiralyi Mintarajztanoda), founded in 1871 (Magyar Kepzomuveszeti Egyetem), the main art school of Hungary, as well as City Puppet Theater(Budapest Babszínház). And right opposite the Franz Liszt Museum you can find a nice historical Cafe Lukács, which began work in 1912 and was widely known for its interiors and cuisine (currently closed for reconstruction).

On the left side of the boulevard and slightly to the west rises the complex of the former Hungarian State Security Administration, which now houses Museum of Terror(Terror Haza, www.terrorhaza.hu). The building, built in 1880 and designed by the architect Adolf Festi, houses two highly controversial exhibitions dedicated to the period of Nazi occupation and the Holocaust, as well as the reign of the Hungarian Workers' Party.

Three blocks further there is a round area Kodály korönd at the intersection of Andrássy Avenue with Szinyei Merse utca and Felső erdősor streets. In its eastern part you can visit house-museum of Zoltan Kodaly(Kodály Zoltán Emlékmúzeum) - one of the favorite composers of the Hungarian people. The memorial exhibition with four halls in the house where the composer lived for 43 years of his life was founded in 1990 and completely recreates the interior as it was during the master’s lifetime, and also contains many of his personal belongings, including a unique piano. Further past the Budapest Stock Exchange and a suite of beautiful mansions in the Art Nouveau style, you can reach a complex of very interesting Museum of Arts of the Far East named after Ferenc Hopp (Hopp Ferenc Kelet-Ázsiai Muveszeti Muzeum; Andrássy út, 103, www.hoppmuzeum.hu), founded in 1919 and now presenting 4 independent collections.

The end point of Andrássy Avenue is the extensive Heroes Square(Hosok tere), behind which the city begins Városliget park. Built in 1896 to celebrate the millennium of Hungary, it was originally conceived as a national symbol and therefore incorporated into its design the best traditions of the country. In its center is a 36-meter column of the Millennium Monument (Millenniumi Emlekmu, 1896-1929), crowned with a statue of the Archangel Gabriel, dedicated to the crossing of the Carpathians. The base is surrounded by colonnades with sculptures of the leaders of the seven Magyar tribes and statues of other great people of Hungarian history. Nearby there is a memorial plaque in honor of the soldiers who died in the world wars - here on national holidays a guard of honor is posted and ceremonies are held.

From the north, the ensemble of the square is closed by the majestic neoclassical building of the Museum of Fine Arts (Szépművészeti Múzeum, 1906) - the country's largest collection of works by foreign masters. From the south, the square ends with the equally monumental complex of the Műcsarnok exhibition hall (Műcsarnok, 1895), which does not have its own collection and is used for holding all kinds of temporary exhibitions. Behind it stands the world's largest hourglass, the Wheel of Time (8 meters in diameter!), built in 2004 in honor of Hungary's accession to the European Union. Opposite it, across the street Dózsa György út, is the picturesque building of the Serbian Embassy (formerly the Yugoslav Embassy), in which in 1956 the leader of the Hungarian uprising, Imre Nagy, and other members of his government took refuge, hanged on June 16, 1958 in Heroes' Square. And a little further west along the street Lendvay utca you can see the French embassy complex and the Russian Orthodox Church (Orosz ortodox templom). Under the square is the station of the same name on the “yellow” line of the Budapest Metro (entrance from Andrássy Boulevard).

Starting behind Heroes' Square, Városliget Park was, in general, built as part of a memorial complex in honor of the Hungarians finding their homeland. It stretches east all the way to Kacsóh Pongrác út Square and is the largest green area in the center of Budapest, one of the favorite places for walking and holding all kinds of festive events, literally full of all kinds of interesting objects. When planning the park, several cultivated lakes were preserved from the swamps that once occupied this entire area, which are now the center of the entire ensemble. On the shore of the largest of them - Városligeti-tó - stands the visiting card of the park - Vajdahunyad Castle. It was originally built of wood in 1896 by the famous architect Ignaz Alpar as a historical pavilion, reflecting all the architectural traditions of the country, collected in one place. In 1904-1908, it was rebuilt in stone as a complex of 21 buildings - copies of various historical structures, having their own characteristic national color and style inherent in one or another region of Hungary. In one of the wings of the castle there is an Agricultural Museum (the first in the world, by the way!), in the courtyard there is a statue of Anonymous, who wrote the legendary chronicle Gesta Hungarorum ("Acts of the Hungarians" in the 12th century), and nearby there is a monument to the architect of the castle Ignaz Alpar (Schockl) .

Just 300 meters north of the castle is another famous building of the Hungarian capital - Széchenyi Baths(Szechenyi-gyogyfurdo, Szechenyi furdo). This is the largest complex of its kind in Europe, built from the very beginning (1909-1938) to provide health treatments. It includes 3 external (1926) and 15 internal pools with different water temperatures, an outpatient balneotherapy clinic, several saunas, a drinking pavilion, a mud room, a salt bath and many other health-improving structures. All this splendor is fed by the waters of St. Stephen's well No. 2 (this is the hottest thermal spring in Europe - + 74-77 ° C) and half a dozen other small ones, which allows you to set different conditions in different bathing reservoirs when mixing. At the same time, artificial current, jet massage, bubble baths and other useful elements operate in separate pools. And the building of the complex itself, with its numerous statues, fountains, unique elements of interior decoration and mosaic paintings of the domes, is considered one of the best examples of neo-Renaissance eclecticism in Europe. The Night of the Baths and the Cinetrip summer festival are also regularly held here, during which the complex opens its doors even after dark.

And after taking wellness treatments, you can sit in the café of the baths, take a leisurely walk along the green paths of the park or visit other interesting places Városliget Park - circus(Fővárosi Nagycirkusz), amusement park(Vidampark, currently being reconstructed), zoo with a botanical park (opened in 1865, more than three thousand animals and about 700 plant species), the famous restaurant " Gundel"(Gundel, 1894), as well as a monument in honor of the anniversary of the 1956 revolution.

In the south-eastern part of the park rises one of the best exhibition and concert venues in Budapest - Petofi Hall(Petofi Csarnok, often referred to simply as PeCsa), consisting of a 1020 square meter hall and an open stage that can accommodate up to 4500 people at a time. And right behind it is Hungarian Transport Museum(Magyar Műszaki és Közlekedési Múzeum), also built in 1896 to celebrate the millennium of the Hungarians finding their homeland. Despite its almost complete destruction in 1944, this museum continues to be one of the best technical exhibitions in Europe, which contains not only various vehicles and mechanisms (some are exhibited in the open air), but also many elements of the now lost architectural details of the city - churches , palaces, bridges and so on.

In the southern part of Erzbetváros, on the corner of Wesselényi utca and Wesselényi utca, rises Great Synagogue Dohany(Nagy Zsinagoga; Dohany utcai zsinagoga, www.dohanystreetsynagogue.hu) is the largest religious building of its kind in Europe and the second in the world. It was built in 1854-1859 in the Byzantine-Moorish style according to the design of Lajos Foster (Ludwig Förster), who had previously created a synagogue in Vienna. However, the elegantly decorated interior with beautiful frescoes, a decorative eastern wall and chandeliers was completed only 5 years later by Friedes Fäsl, and since then it has been a truly majestic building (length - 75 m, width - 27 m, height - 44 m), accommodating up to 3,000 worshipers, became the spiritual center of the vast Jewish diaspora in Budapest. During the Nazi occupation, the entire area was turned into a huge ghetto, more than 724 thousand Jews were killed, and the synagogue was desecrated and looted. Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park in the temple courtyard, designed by sculptor Imre Varga in the form of a willow tree, whose metal leaves bear the names of Hungarian Jews who died during the Holocaust. And across the street from the synagogue there is a building Jewish Museum of Budapest(Magyar Zsidó Múzeum és Levéltár), built in 1929-1931 on the site of the house where the founder of Zionism, Theodor Herzl, was born.

Three blocks northeast along Wesselényi utca street you can find Hungarian Electrical Engineering Museum(Electrotechnology Museum) with an excellent collection dedicated to the development of radio electronics and technology in the country. We should not forget that during socialism, Hungary was the leader of the Warsaw Pact countries in terms of the quantity and quality of electrical products produced, and even now on the Russian market, products with the Tungsram brand (EIVIRT, now a division of GE) and Novotech occupy a significant place. Adjacent to the museum to the north is the beautiful building of the Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology Eotvos Laurent University.

Józsefváros and Ferencváros

To the east and southeast of the historical core of Pest lie areas once inhabited by a more humble people. Jozsefvaros(Józsefváros, district VIII) and Ferencvaros(Ferencváros, district IX). Built mainly in the 17th-19th centuries, these quarters had become fairly dilapidated by the beginning of the 21st century and had undergone intensive reconstruction, however, many historical monuments can be found here too.

Usually, acquaintance with the area begins with the largest and oldest in the city Central Market(Központi Vásárcsarnok), lying at the end of the main shopping street of the city - Váci utca) behind the Customs Boulevard (Vamhaz korut). Despite the fact that the complex still performs its direct functions (more than 10 thousand square meters of retail space), this beautiful building built in 1897 with neo-Gothic elements is considered a real architectural monument. There is also a complex of buildings included in the UNESCO World Heritage List nearby. University of Corvina(Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem, 1920), embankment Salkaházi Sára rakpart, Liberty Bridge(Szabadsag hid) and small Fővám ter square.

Walking along the boulevards a little further to the east, you can see the already mentioned Calvinist Church(Kálvin téri református templom), red brick mansion College of Fine and Applied Arts(Képző-és Iparművészeti Szakközépiskola és Kollégium), city Erwin Szabó library in the former Wenckheim Palace (Wenckheim, 19th century), a vast complex of the oldest medical school in Hungary - Semmelweis University(Semmelweis Egyetem, founded 1769), building Catholic University Peter Pazman(Pázmány Péter Katolikus Egyetem, founded in 1635) and the most popular House of Hungarian palinka(Magyar Pálinka Háza) on Rákóczi út street.

Almost across the street from the complex Semmelweis University The Moorish-style mansion with an emerald green roof lined with the famous Zsolnay tiles, built in 1893-1896 according to the design of Eden Lechner and Gyula Partos, stands tall. Now there is an exhibition here Museum of Applied Arts(Iparművészeti Múzeum), storing unique works of decorative art, textiles, clothing, jewelry, cutlery and watches from the 16th to 21st centuries, as well as heirlooms of the Esterházy family. Here you can also see a large collection of the Zsolnay Porcelánmanufaktúra Zrt company itself, which since 1853 has been producing not only excellent ceramic products for utilitarian purposes, but also many pieces of decorative ceramics of all styles (the main part of the collection is kept in the museum of the southern Hungarian city of Pécs).

And two blocks to the west, behind the park square Markusovszky ter, you can find a very unusual Museum of the Bible(Ráday Gyűjtemény – Biblia Múzeum). It was opened in 1988 and currently presents 4 collections dedicated to archeology and its connection with biblical history, historical aspects of Scripture, the history of the publication of the Bible in Hungarian and other dialects of the planet. The most valuable exhibits of the collection are a copy of the so-called Vizsoy Bible (1590 - the first copy of the Holy Scriptures completely translated into Hungarian) and a book published in 1608 that belonged to Prince Gyorgy Rakoczi I - one of the leaders of the war against Austrian rule.

Even further east, behind the ring of Ferenc körút and József körút boulevards, it is worth visiting the beautiful neo-Renaissance complex built in 1881-1884 Keleti station(Keleti pályaudvar, that is, “Eastern”, the largest and busiest in the city). To the south, behind the ultra-modern Arena Plaza shopping center, lies a huge cemetery Kerepeshi(Kerepesi, 1849) - one of the oldest in Europe and the most famous in the city. Here are the mausoleums of Abraham Gantz, Lajos Battyany, Ferenc Deak and Lajos Kossuth, as well as the graves of many other famous political figures of the country, writers, artists and scientists.

Five blocks south lies the picturesque Ortsi Park(Orczy park) with a small pond and the complex of the former royal military academy "Ludovika" (Ludovika Academy, 1836), which now houses Hungarian Museum of Natural History(Magyar Termezettudomanyi Múzeum), theater "Barka"(Bárka Theater), Raoul Wallenberg School of Social Sciences and arboretum. Literally across the road to the north of the park there is a green area Budapest Botanical Garden(Füvészkert) - the first complex of its kind in the country (founded in 1771, opened on this site since 1847). Here, on an area of ​​more than 3 hectares (plus 2000 square meters of greenhouses and conservatories), you can see more than 8 thousand plants of 150 species from all over the world, and some neglect of the park only adds to its charm. And to the west there is another campus Semmelweis University, even more extensive than closer to the center.

Nearby you can also find what is known as the "Temple of Remembrance" Presbyterian Church in Oradea Square(Nagyvárad téri református templom, 1930-1935), Church of Our Lady (Magyarok Nagyasszonya Templom) on Rezső tér Square, a complex of former cavalry barracks and the state mint (now a multifunctional cultural and office center at Üllői út, 102), sports complex Groupama Aréna, the Church of the Holy Cross (Szent Kereszt templom), many old mansions and shopping centers, as well as the vast park area of ​​Népliget ("People's Park") - the largest in the city: interesting here are the TIT Budapesti Planetárium and the city's largest youth E-club. In the very southeast, already within the 19th district of the capital, there is a small but very unusual collection of the Museum of Hairdressing (Fodrász Múzeum, Ady Endre Street, 97-99), which is a carefully recreated hairdressing salon of the late 19th century with all the tools and paraphernalia establishments of this kind.

Well, in the very southwest of Ferencváros, in the triangle between the embankment and the streets Soroksári út and Rákóczi híd with the bridge of the same name continuing the latter (often called in the old fashioned way - Lagymányosi híd) across the Danube, there is a whole museum complex. It consists of Ludwig Museum of Modern Art(Ludwig Múzeum Budapest - Kortárs Művészeti Múzeum) - the best of the Eastern European branches of this collection in Cologne (opened in 1990), (Művészetek Palotája) and National Theater(2002). It is often included here, which lies a block to the north, at the intersection with Dandár utca street, Museum of national Hungarian liqueur "Unicum"(Zwack Unicum Múzeum és Látogatóközpont), created in 1790 by the imperial court physician Joseph Zwack and since then has been a popular export product.

Buda Hills

Outside the historical part of Buda lies the extensive residential area of ​​Western Budapest (districts XI, XII and XXII, as well as part of Óbuda), which is not so often visited by tourists. Often this vast area is collectively called simply the Buda Hills (Budai-hegység). The green areas of the western suburbs were built up mainly in the 19th-20th centuries, and many Budapest residents still keep their summer homes here, so you shouldn’t look for any special historical monuments here. However, among the cozy mansions and narrow streets of the Buda Hills there are many interesting places, including the old cogwheel funicular (Fogaskerekűvasút, opened in 1874 and at that time was considered the third in the world!), which is its end point - the beautiful Széchenyi-hegy, 427 m) - now one of the most prestigious residential areas of the Hungarian capital, the Gyermekvasút children's narrow-gauge railway built in 1948-1951, running through the most beautiful places, as well as the Csillebérc children's playground. The highest point of the area is Janos Hill (János-hegy, 527 m) with the Erzsébet Lookout observation tower in Romanesque style (open daily from 8:00 to 20:00, admission free) - nearby is the Normafa recreation center, the already mentioned extensive memorial museum Bela Bartók (Bartók Béla Emlékház) under the Láto-hegy hill - from March to June, here, among other things, excellent chamber music concerts are organized, as well as the burial place of many famous people of the country - the old cemetery Farkasréti ("Wolf Meadows") two kilometers to the west from Mount Gellert. Interestingly, it is on Farkasréti that you can still find wooden monuments, the inscriptions on which are made with unique Hungarian runes (the “Székely alphabet”, so called in honor of one of the Magyar tribes), which can still be seen on road signs throughout the country.

Also worthy of attention are the quite affordable baths of Csillaghegy and Pünkösdfürdő in the very north of the area (in fact, this is already a suburb of Bekasmedier), the picturesque area of ​​Svábhegy villas (XII district), the Libegő chairlift between Zugliget and the observation tower on János-hegy hill, the extensive recreational area Budakeszi Vadaspark in a large protected forest with a children's zoo and a large number of animals just walking through the meadows and glades, the huge Challengeland Adventure Park playground, the Pál-völgyi and Szemlő-hegyi caves, the Külkereskedelmi Sportpark sports center in the very west, as well as the most popular Hungarian restaurant Náncsi Néni Vendéglője ("Aunt Nanci"; Ördögárok út, 80) with a small park near the Hűvösvölgy station. There are also many walking and cycling paths through these places, but many impressions can be gained simply by walking among the gardens and old residential buildings with their friendly inhabitants.

And in the very southwest of the city, but also within the XII district, there is the Museum of Monuments, or Reminder Park (Szoborpark museum, Memento Park), which contains sculptures of the communist period and many attributes of that era - from music records and awards to old cars and interior items. Getting here is not easy: first take trams No. 19 or 49 to the Etele ter stop, and from there take the yellow Volanbusz commuter bus to the Szoborpark museum stop.

And a little further south is the “Palace of Miracles” (Csodak Palotaja, Nagytétényi út, 37-43, www.csopa.hu) - an entertainment and exhibition complex for children with a clear developmental focus. In addition to all sorts of interactive exhibitions, experimental playgrounds and themed playrooms, interestingly designed lectures by scientists (in Hungarian) are held here every day. The complex also includes a tropicarium, a cafe, a photo studio and a hypermarket. Getting here is very easy, both by bus and by train - the Budatétény station is located right next to the walls of the complex. After visiting the technical exhibition, you can walk south, towards the bank of the Danube, where the green zone of the floodplain forest reserve of the island of Haros-Sziget lies (Háros-szigeti Ártéri-erdő Természetvédelmi terület) or go down the Nagytétényi út 300 meters to the south and visit the Nadteten Palace ( Nagytétényi Kastélymúzeu, 18th century) with a very interesting exhibition of the Museum of European Furniture and Clothing, as well as a nice park to the north.

Budapest Islands

The abundance of islands in the Danube gives the Hungarian capital a very picturesque appearance. Developed by people since ancient times, they, however, did not become the focus of urban development and retained a certain pastoral quality. Almost in the very center of the city, between the Margaret Bridge (Margit híd) in the southern part and the Árpád híd Bridge in the northern part lies the island of Margit-sziget. In Roman times, it was the summer residence of the commander of the Aquincum garrison; in the Middle Ages, a Dominican monastery was located here, to which, in fulfillment of a vow, King Bela IV gave his daughter Margaret, who was later canonized - hence the name. The island is small - approximately 2.5 by 0.3 km (area - 0.96 sq. km) and after the decline of the monasteries (and the Augustinians, Franciscans, and Dominicans lived here) during the period of Ottoman rule, it was practically not used for a long time. But after the active development of Pest began and the appearance of bridges, it quickly turned into a green park, and in 1908 it was declared a public garden, which instantly became one of the favorite recreational places for city residents, so it can be noticeably crowded on weekends. The passage of vehicles through the territory of Margate-Sziget is prohibited, with the exception of taxis serving hotels, tourist buses, electric vehicles and... pedicabs.

Now here you can see the ruins of the monastery and chapel of St. Michael (Szent Mihály kápolna, XIII-XVI centuries), a UNESCO-protected light and music fountain (Zenélő szökőkút, 19th century) and a 57-meter water tower in Art Nouveau style (1911), nearby a Japanese garden with a pond and fish (interestingly, the pond does not freeze even in winter, since it is fed by thermal waters from a local source), a memorial in honor of the centennial of the city’s unification (Centennial Memorial, 1973), a Zenélő music pavilion specially built for open-air concerts kút (rather a small rotunda, not to be confused with the Zenélő szökőkút fountain lying on the opposite end of the island), the Artists' Alley (Muvesz setany) with busts of Hungarian art masters, an open-air theater, a vast rose garden (Rózsakert) in the very center of the island and a tiny one lying to the east zoo with exotic birds. Also located here is the largest outdoor swimming complex in Budapest - the Palatinus Strandfürdő water park (1921) and the beach of the same name, the National Sports Pool Hajós Alfred Nemzeti Sportuszoda (named after the architect who designed it - a two-time Olympic champion in 1896), a tennis stadium and an athletics center ( Margitszigeti Atlétikai Centrum Szigetklub).

There are more than 5 km of walking and cycling paths with a special coating throughout the island, there are several viewing terraces, a small boathouse for yachts and very prestigious hotels - at the northern end of the island there is a complex of Danubius Grand Hotel Margitsziget and Danubius Health Spa Resort with its own thermal spring. These are full-fledged thermal resorts with a full range of various medical services (water from here is also supplied to two hotels “on the mainland” - Aquincum on the Buda shore and Danubius Helia in Pest). Well, in the southern part of the island you can stay in the small Green Island Hostel, Margit-sziget.

The island of Obudai-sziget (Óbudai-sziget, Hajogyari-sziget) lies nearby and just north of Margit-Sziget, stretching a little under the Árpád híd bridge. It was once a peninsula whose configuration was very suitable for the construction of the Óbuda shipyards, hence the name. Dating back to Roman times, shipbuilding workshops occupied its entire southern and northeastern parts; in 1836, the first paddle steamer on the Danube was launched here. Now closed in 1999, the shipyard complex is gradually being transformed into a large trade and exhibition space, and a golf and yacht club are also open here. And the entire northern part of the island is occupied by a forested area with extensive wetlands, where thousands of migratory birds stop every year. Every year in August, one of the largest open music festivals in Europe - Sziget Fesztivált - is held in the park area.

Directly opposite, on the left bank of the Danube, lies the island of Népsziget, Szúnyog-sziget. In fact, this is a peninsula, which also owes its appearance to shipbuilders who filled up the narrow channel between “Mosquito Island,” as it was then called, and the shore. The resulting bay was used as a winter harbor, and later the Ganz Danubius shipyard opened here. At the end of the 19th century, the New Pest Railway Bridge (Újpesti vasúti híd) crossed the northern third of the island, along which special bicycle and pedestrian paths were laid during a complete reconstruction in 2008. Now Nep Sziget is another popular recreation area of ​​the Hungarian capital - there are two public beaches, a small marina with a rowing center (Budapest Evezős Egyesület, canoes and kayaks), more than 5 km of paths in the park area, a dog breeding school, etc. However, the old shipyard is still in operation, so fans of industrial tourism will also find it very interesting here.

Almost the entire southern part of the city is formed by the island of Csepel (Csepel-sziget). Its northern part is occupied by the XXI district of the capital, and in the center and south there is a whole series of independent cities - the island is the largest on the Danube (257 sq. km). Csepel occupies a special place in Hungarian history - it was this territory that went to the Magyar tribe under the leadership of Arpad, and it was from here that the Hungarian expansion began, covering all of Pannonia and Transylvania. Almost until the 19th century, the lands of the island remained sovereign royal possessions (Ráckevei, together with the adjacent right bank of the Danube, this term has survived to this day as a designation for the entire region and as the name of the town of Ráckevei in the southern part of the island) and were used for arable land, vineyards and orchards, which is why these days these parts are very pastoral. In the mid-20th century, the south experienced an era of active industrialization, but the northern areas of Csepel gradually began to be built up with Budapest suburbs, where low-rise buildings and high-rise buildings in a completely Soviet style are intricately combined. Tourists rarely wander into these areas, but here you can find many interesting objects, such as the Csepel Gallery and the local history collection of the same name, the picturesque St. Imre Square (Szent Imre tér) with the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Kisboldogasszony templom), the city garden Csepel-Kertváros, a picturesque the Háros villa area around Lake Kavicsos-tó, often called the “garden city”, the Királyerdő area with the Church of the Immaculate Virgin Mary (Szűz Mária Szeplőtelen Szíve), the Akácfa utcai kiserdő and Tamariska-domb parks, the Csepeli Temető cemetery and so on. Many are also attracted by the unusual development of the area, in which the rectangular layout suddenly turns into some kind of chaos of streets and U-shaped passages curved at completely unimaginable angles - very green and colorful at the same time.

And the northern edge of the capital forms another huge island - Szentendrei-sziget, stretching up the Danube for as much as 31 km. Formally not part of Budapest, in practice it is the city’s favorite place for outdoor recreation, and all the settlements here are summer cottages for residents of the capital. In addition, 700 local wells are the main source of drinking water for the capital, there are protected wetlands (25 protected plant species and 205 bird species), old floodplain forests and meadows, so the entire island is one large conservation area with a separately designated national park (part of Duna-Ipoly Nemzeti Park).

In Szentenderei-Sziget, a resort village famous for its clean air and natural beauty deserves attention. Horanyi(Horány) on the eastern bank, new reform church(1771) in Szigetmonostor, eco-farm Horse Farm Monostori, reformed church(1788) and Esterhazy mansion(now cafe Eper Csárda) in Pócsmegyer, equestrian center Ferenc Bodor near the Tahitótfalu Bridge, endless strawberry fields, where in season you can buy the freshest berries right on the side of the road, an equestrian center and a club Zablakert in the very center of the island and nearby flying club Modellrepülőter- a real Mecca for local aircraft modellers, a stud farm and a riding school Halapi Lovastanya, Protestant (1803) and Catholic (1719) churches plus the ruins of Roman watchtowers in a picturesque village Kishorosi(Kisoroszi), as well as numerous summer camps, campsites and beaches, restaurants and cafes scattered throughout the island.

You shouldn’t be surprised by the abundance of equestrian farms in Szentenderei-Sziget - the whole history of Hungary is closely connected with horses, so equestrian sport is a favorite type of recreation. Many Budapest residents keep their personal pets in local stables, visit them on weekends, and enjoy walking and training them, so all the associated infrastructure is excellently developed here. And along the island itself there are about 55 km of cycling, horseback riding and walking trails, closely intertwined with each other.

Budapest Tourist Office

The main office of the Budapest Tourist Office (www.budapestinfo.hu) is open daily from 8:00 to 20:00, information points are scattered throughout the city, there are also at the airport and many shopping centers. Here you can find out all the necessary information about the capital, receive free booklets and maps, purchase tickets for public transport, concerts and excursions.

Here you can also purchase a very easy-to-use Budapest Card (www.budapest-card.com), which provides a wide range of discounts and free access to a number of museums, baths, excursions, etc., plus free travel around the city on any public transport within the selected card. The Budapest Card is also sold in many hotels, transport and tourist offices, at large ticket offices of the public transport system (BKV), with additional discounts available when purchasing online. It is signed with the owner's name upon sale and cannot be transferred to another person.

The card comes with a free Budapest Card brochure in 6 languages ​​(Hungarian, English, German, Russian, French and Italian).

Budapest (Hungary): the most detailed information about the city of Budapest, main attractions with photos and descriptions, location on the map.

City of Budapest (Hungary)

Budapest is the capital of Hungary and the largest city in the country, divided by the deep Danube into two completely different parts: quiet, historical Buda and noisy, metropolitan Pest. The modern Hungarian capital was formed in 1872 as a result of the unification of three neighboring cities: Buda, Obuda and Pest. Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, often called the “Paris of the East”. The capital of Hungary is famous for its magnificent architecture and many interesting sights from a variety of historical periods, as well as amazing nightlife and gastronomy. The main symbol of Budapest is the impressive neo-Gothic building of the Hungarian Parliament.

Budapest is located on both sides of the Danube, hobbled by bridges. The more modern Pest with metropolitan elegance, wide avenues and chic architecture of the 19th-20th centuries is located on the eastern bank of the Danube, and Buda and Óbuda with atmospheric old streets, historical and cultural monuments are on the western bank. Interestingly, Budapest is one of the youngest European capitals and is also known as a balneological resort.

The climate of Budapest is continental with cold winters and warm summers. In winter there are often frosts and snowfalls, and at the height of summer it can be quite hot.

Story

Already in the 1st century BC. There was a Celtic settlement on the territory of Budapest, which at the end of the 1st century AD. was included in the Roman province. During the Roman period, the city of Aquincum arose here, which housed the Roman garrison. Its population reached almost 20 thousand people. In the 5th century, the Romans were driven out by the Huns and Ostrogoths, who made this the center of their empire. In the vicinity of modern Pest there was also a settlement called Contra Aquincum.

Budapest, divided by the Danube. On the right is Pest, on the left is Buda

After the departure of the Huns, these lands were subjugated by the Avars, and then by Moravia. In 895, the Hungarian tribes did not come here and Aquincum was renamed Buda, which became the first center of the Hungarian state. Pest was chosen by immigrants from Germany and France. In 1241, during the Mongol invasion, Buda and Pest were seriously destroyed. After this, the King of Hungary decided to build a royal castle on Fortress Hill in Buda.

In 1361 Buda became the capital of Hungary. In 1541, Hungary was captured by the Ottoman Empire, and Buda fell into decay. Later the city was liberated by the Austrians and annexed to the Habsburg possessions. It is interesting that during this period Pest, located on the opposite bank of the Danube, plays the leading role. Its rapid development as a shopping center led to rapid population growth.

The first unification of the three cities was attempted in the mid-19th century, but it was unsuccessful. Therefore, 1872 can rightfully be called the birth of Budapest. In the 19th century, railways connected the capital of Hungary with the rest of Europe, the streets began to be illuminated with electric lights, tram traffic and telephone communications appeared. Interestingly, the first metro in Europe appeared in Budapest.

In 1918 Hungary became a Republic and in 1919 a Socialist Republic. In 1944, Budapest was occupied by German troops. During World War II, the central part of the city was reduced to ruins. The restoration of the city continued until the 60s of the 20th century.

Helpful information

1. The monetary unit of Hungary is the forint. Don't change currency on the streets. For these purposes, specialized exchange offices or ATMs are used.
2. Public transport in the capital of Hungary is represented by 4 metro lines, 15 trolleybus routes, 32 tram lines and more than 200 bus routes. Therefore, getting to any point in Budapest will not be difficult. Transport operates from 4.30 to 23.30. At night, several night bus routes and tram number 6 operate. Tickets can be purchased both at stops (stations) and at special kiosks. Tickets can be used on all types of public transport. On buses, trams and trolleybuses they must be composted.
3. As with any popular tourist destination, Budapest has its share of pickpockets, so keep an eye on your belongings in public transport, shopping centers and other busy areas.
4. Tobacco products can only be purchased at licensed tobacco kiosks. Smoking is prohibited in closed public places andat transport stops.
5. Drinking alcohol is prohibited in public places.
6. Tipping is not required, but it is good practice (if, of course, you liked the food and service) to leave 10% of the bill.
7. Some shops and cafes may not be open on Sunday.
8. When paying for parking, leave the receipt under the windshield.
9. TAX Free can be returned from a purchase of 50,000 forints.
10. The average bill in restaurants and cafes in Budapest is 20-30 euros per person, if you snack on Asian cuisine or fast food you can spend 3-5 euros.

How to get there?

The best and cheapest way to get to Budapest is by air. Airplanes fly to the capital of Hungary from almost all major cities in Europe and beyond. Budapest is also well connected to other major European cities by rail and bus. You can get to the capital of Hungary by train from Prague, Munich, Berlin, Vienna, Bratislava, Warsaw, Zagreb, Belgrade, Moscow.

Shopping and purchases

Budapest can rightfully be called one of the centers of European shopping. There are many brand stores here. Particularly worth noting are such street trading centers as: Váci utca, Fashion Street, Nagykörút, Andrássy út. There are also several shopping centers located almost in the center (all of them are marked on the map below).

Popular souvenirs among tourists include jewelry, porcelain, and folk art.

Kitchen and food

Budapest is an excellent place for gastronomic tourism - chic restaurants, street cafes, and global fast food chains will not leave you hungry. Cuisine: Hungarian, Italian, Asian, etc.

Particularly noteworthy is the national Hungarian cuisine, which boasts diversity and unique taste. National Hungarian cuisine is based on the following ingredients: meat, fresh vegetables, fruits, bread, milk and honey.

The most famous national dishes:

• pörkölt - stewed meat dishes
• a gulyás - goulash
• a halászlé - soup
• a töltött káposzta - cabbage rolls
• a paprikás csirke - chicken with paprika
• a paprikás krumpli - potatoes with paprika
• a disznótoros - pork
• a bableves és - soup
• a túrós csusza - curd pasta

Where to try national cuisine - see the map.

We warn you that prices in these establishments may be higher. If you want to save on food, pay attention to Asian cuisine.

Sights of Budapest

The main attractions of Budapest with detailed descriptions and photos.

Sights of Pest

The Parliament is a true symbol of Budapest, one of the most beautiful buildings in Europe, completed in 1904. This is a magnificent neo-Gothic structure located on the banks of the Danube and symbolizing Pest. The dimensions of the building are truly impressive: 691 rooms, 29 staircases, 18,000 sq. meters area. The length of the parliament building is 268 m, the width is 123 m, and the height is 96 meters. This is one of the architectural dominants of the historical center. Its construction took 40 million bricks and 40 kg. gold. The façade is decorated with 88 sculptures of Hungarian kings and leaders. The Parliament was built according to the design of the architect Steindl, a famous fan of neo-Gothic architecture.

The Chain Bridge is a beautiful suspension bridge over the Danube that connects Buda and Pest. Located near the Parliament building and is the first permanent bridge over the Danube. The bridge is named after the famous politician Szechenyi, who invested a lot of effort and money in its construction. The construction of the bridge played a colossal role in the life of the two cities, becoming the impetus for the birth of Budapest. The bridge was designed by British engineer Clark.

Basilica of St. Istvan (Stefan) - the main cathedral of Pest and the largest temple in the capital of Hungary. This is a beautiful high (96 meters) building in the neo-Renaissance style, built in the shape of an equilateral cross. Construction of the basilica lasted more than 50 years from 1851. This, along with the Parliament, is one of the tallest historical buildings in Pest. If possible, be sure to visit this basilica - the beautiful interior, decorated with mosaics and marble columns will not leave you indifferent.

- the main avenue of Budapest, nicknamed the Hungarian "Champs Elysees". And, indeed, those who have been to Paris can find some similarities between these two streets. This is one of the most pompous streets in Europe, built at the end of the 19th century. The buildings and structures of Andrássy Avenue were built in a pseudo-historical style by many famous architects. In 2002, the avenue was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Heroes' Square is one of the most famous squares in Budapest, where Andrássy Avenue ends. In the center of the square there is a monument dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of the Hungarians crossing the Carpathians. The monument is a high column, on top of which there is a figure of the Archangel Gabriel standing on the globe, in whose hands is the crown of King Stephen and the Apostolic Cross. To the right and left of the column are semicircular colonnades, a monument to the heroes of Hungary. The length of these colonnades is 85 m. Between the columns from left to right are bronze statues of famous historical figures of Hungary. Also overlooking the square are two beautiful buildings built in the neoclassical style - the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Modern Art.

City Park or Városliget is one of the favorite walking places for residents and guests of the city. Located right behind Heroes' Square, this park complex includes not only natural landscapes, but also such interesting sights and places as: Vajdahunyad Castle, Szechenyi Bath, the capital's circus, zoo, transport museum, and the Gundel restaurant. We should also talk about the castle with the funny name of Vajdahunyad. This castle complex was built for the 1000th anniversary of the Hungarians finding their homeland and is a “hodgepodge” of styles from Romanesque motifs to Gothic and Baroque. It includes elements of 21 famous buildings in Hungary. At first it was built as a pavilion for celebrations, but the Hungarians loved it so much that they decided to make it in stone.

Vaci Street is the heart of Pest and the main shopping street of the Hungarian capital with beautiful architecture. If you walk along Vaci Street you can get to the Central Market - the largest market in the city. Here you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats and various souvenirs. Nearby is another famous bridge across the Danube - the Freedom Bridge. Built at the end of the 19th century, it connects Pest and Buda and goes straight to Gellért Mountain.

The Great Synagogue is the largest synagogue in Europe, located on Dohany Street. Located in a unique Jewish quarter Pest.

Sights of Buda and Obuda

Buda Castle is one of the main attractions of Buda, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This is a castle-fortress that was the residence of the kings of Hungary. You can get here by the famous Shiklo funicular or by bus number 16. The history of the castle begins in the mid-13th century, when King Bela IV began to build a fortress here after the Mongol invasion. The most interesting sights of Buda Castle:

Top left is the Church of St. Matthias, bottom right - Calvinist Church

Matthias Church is one of Buda's main churches, built in the late Gothic style in the second half of the 14th century and significantly rebuilt in the 19th century. The church is decorated with an 80-meter bell tower, which is the tallest building of the castle complex.

The Fisherman's Bastion is one of the famous landmarks of Budapest. This is an architectural structure, which is a square surrounded by a gallery with conical towers (6 small and one central, which symbolize the seven tribes that founded Hungary), arcades and balustrades. From here you have stunning views of the city and the Danube. In the center of the square there is an equestrian statue of St. Stephen - the first king of Hungary.

Mount Gellert is a famous place in Budapest. A high hill (235 meters), on the western bank of the Danube, on which are the famous baths of the Gellert Hotel, the Gellert Monument, the Cave Chapel, the Citadel and the Freedom Monument.

The Danube embankment is an iconic place in Budapest with beautiful panoramas of Buda or Pest. The embankment is home to many famous historical buildings and structures. Not far from the Parliament there is an interesting monument to the victims of the Holocaust - a sculptural composition of 60 pairs of cast iron shoes.

Margaret Island is an island in a bend of the Danube, as well as the central nature park complex of the city and one of the popular places for walks among residents and guests of Budapest. Main attractions: the "One Hundred Years of Budapest" memorial, a Japanese garden, a small zoo, a musical fountain and an octagonal water tower.

Budapest is not only about interesting sights, history, entertainment and architecture. This is a resort town (the only one of the European capitals) with numerous hot mineral springs (26 baths).

Guide to Budapest

A guide to the capital of Hungary - the most important attractions on a detailed interactive map.

Resilient and proud Hungarians each time, after numerous wars and invasions, lovingly restored Budapest, at once a European city, but exclusively Hungarian. The picturesque area, beautiful nature and magnificent architecture give the capital its charm. But its main treasure is its thermal springs.

Budapest is the pearl of the Danube, the industrial center of Hungary. This is a city with a vibrant character, unique architecture, and rich cultural traditions. The romantic atmosphere of Budapest streets is often identified with that of Paris. During the high season there are many tourists here - both in the warm months and during the Christmas holidays. Periods of tourist “lull” are considered the best time for shopping lovers. People go to Budapest all year round for treatment and recovery: the city is famous for its thermal springs - there are more than 120 of them.

Budapest became a unified city relatively recently - in 1873. It was then that three settlements finally united: Buda, Obuda, Pest. And the history of the Hungarian capital began with the settlement of the ancient Celts Ak-Ink, which arose near the Danube in the 1st century AD. The Celts were replaced by the Romans, Ostrogoths, and Huns. Hungarian tribes appeared on these lands at the end of the 9th century. The city survived the Turkish capture, was liberated by the Austrians, and became the possession of the Habsburgs. After the conclusion of the Austro-Hungarian Agreement and the unification of the three cities, Budapest began to develop rapidly. He endured the German occupation and the Soviet assault in 1945, and lived under the pro-Soviet regime until 1989.

Many valuable architectural objects here were damaged during the war years. The restoration lasted until 1960. Residents of Budapest carefully treat the heritage of the past and preserve their monuments.

Attractions

Buda Castle

Parliament

Ludwig Museum

Városliget Park

Cafe Gerbeau

Mount Gellert

Rudas Bath

Museum of Terror

Museum of Ethnography

Parliament

Hungarian Parliament building, photo CROMEO

The most outstanding of the secular buildings, which has become the architectural symbol of Budapest, is the Hungarian Parliament (Országház). A huge neo-Gothic complex rises above the Danube bank between two bridges - the Chain and Margaret. The building was built in 1884–1906. in the neo-Gothic style influenced by the Parisian Beaux Arts.

Tours are available for tourists around the building of the Hungarian Parliament. It is also available in Russian. You will see the sacred coronation regalia of the Hungarian monarchs - the crown of the founder of the state of St. Stephen, a scepter with an orb and a silver-plated saber. You can sit in the parliamentarian's chair.

Address: Budapest, Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3, 1055 Hungary.

Buda Castle

Royal Palace, photo by Arian Zwegers

Buda Castle (Budai Vár) is often called a “city within a city”. This is the historical district of Old Buda, hidden behind powerful fortified walls, where you can find the Royal Palace, the Church of St. Matthias, the labyrinth of Budavar caves, the Fisherman's Bastion, the square and column of the Holy Trinity, the Plague Column, the bell tower of the Church of Mary Magdalene, the chapel of St. Michael, the Sándora Palace, the monument Stephen I, House of Hungarian Wines and ruins of medieval castle buildings.

The fortress was founded in the 13th century and served as the residence of the Hungarian kings. It was damaged during wars and fires and was restored more than once. The majestic Buda Castle is a UNESCO site. Today Buda Castle houses the Hungarian National Gallery (Magyar Nemzeti Galéria), the Budapest Historical Museum (Budapesti Történeti Múzeum) and the State Library. Széchenyi.

You can get to the fortress on foot or by the Sikló funicular (Budavári Sikló), or you can take a bus from the square. Sell ​​Kalmana.

Address of the Hungarian National Gallery: 1014 Budapest, Szent György tér 2., Hungary.

Address of the Budapest Historical Museum: Budapest, Szent György tér 2, 1014 Hungary.
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00; Mon - day off.

Matthias Church, photo ben_leash

In Old Buda on the Holy Trinity Square stands the Cathedral of St. Matthias (Mátyás-templom). The Gothic temple, atypical of Hungarian medieval religious architecture, was part of Buda Castle, built 1250–70. The Turks turned the Catholic Church into a mosque in the 16th century, but XIX century The architect Frides Szulek returned the temple to its Gothic appearance. The bright ornamentation of multi-colored tiles on the roof and domes was created by ceramic artists from the city of Pécs. The last Hungarian monarchs of the Habsburg dynasty were crowned in Matthias Church.

Address: Budapest, Szentháromság tér 2, 1014 Hungary.

Fisherman's Bastion. photo by Manuela Vierke

Next to the cathedral there is an architectural complex of seven towers - the Fisherman's Bastion (Halászbástya). This stylized building with towers, staircases, arcades and terraces was built for the millennium of Hungary, in 1899-1905, on the site of an old fish market. It never served defensive purposes.

Address: Budapest, Szentháromság tér 5, 1014 Hungary.

Monument to Stephen the Great

Near the bastion stands an equestrian monument to the king - the heavenly patron of Hungary, Stephen the Great (Szent István szobra). The monument by A. Strobl reflects all the significant achievements of the king who gave Christianity to the Hungarians.

Sándora Palace, photo Neal1960

The two-story palace building was built in 1806 for Count Sandor. Since 2003, Sándor-palota has been the official residence of the President of the Republic. The façade is decorated with simple bas-reliefs. But the interior is famous for its crystal chandeliers, rich tapestries and paintings by Károly Lotz. You can enter the palace only once a year, in September, during the exhibition dedicated to the Hungarian Cultural Heritage Days.

Address: Budapest, Szent György tér 1-2, 1014 Hungary.

Tower of the Church of Mary Magdalene, photo MEGA4000 MISI

The tower is the only thing left of the Church of Mary Magdalene (Mária Magdolna-templom), built in 1274 in the Gothic style. During World War II, the church was completely destroyed, only the foundation remained. In 1997, the tower was restored. Now there is an observation deck. There are 24 bells on the tower, the ringing of which can be heard every day.

Address: Budapest, District I., Hungary.

Szechenyi Chain Bridge, photo Nando Pizzini

Tourists ascend to the Buda Castle by cable car; its lower station is located next to the Chain Bridge (Széchenyi lánchíd). This monument of engineering art is the oldest bridge in the city, which connects two historical parts of the city - Buda and Pest. It was built in 1849, it was blown up by the retreating Nazis and restored a century after its construction - in 1949.

Andrassy út on the eastern bank of the Danube, in the former Pest, is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This avenue is the most pompous street in Budapest. It starts from Erzsebet Square and stretches 2.5 km to Heroes Square.

Hungarian State Opera House

On Andrássy Avenue there is a beautiful building of the Opera House (Magyar Állami Operaház). In terms of acoustics, it ranks third in the European ranking of opera houses after Milan's La Scala and the Paris Opera House.

Erzsebet Square, photo bencze82

Erzsébet Square (Erzsébet tér) received its sonorous name in honor of Queen Elisabeth - the legendary Sissi. There is a huge Ferris wheel and the Danube fountain (1880), created by Miklos Ibl, as well as the entire architectural ensemble of Andrássy Avenue.

Nearby rises the grandiose 96-meter dome of St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent István-bazilika). The temple in the neoclassical style was erected on the square of the same name in 1851–1905, its construction was completed by M. Ibl. From the Szent István observation deck you can see the whole of Budapest.

Address: Budapest, Szent István tér 1, 1051 Hungary.
Website: bazilika.biz.

Great Synagogue, photo Anne and David

The Great Synagogue of Budapest (Nagy Zsinagóga) is the largest active synagogue in Europe and the second in the world. It was built in 1859 in the Moorish style and can accommodate about 3 thousand worshipers. In the courtyard of the synagogue, on the site of the house where the founder of Zionism T. Herzl was born, there is a Jewish Museum.

Address: Budapest, Dohany u. 2, 1074 Hungary.

The ensemble of Heroes' Square (Hősök tere) was created at the beginning of the 19th century, to celebrate the millennium of Hungary. At the end of the century, a project for a memorial complex was developed for this huge space. The first to appear here was the Millennium Monument - the central Corinthian column. Then two semicircular colonnades were installed, which became a monument to the heroes of Hungary. Sculptural groups of War and Peace were erected on both edges of the composition.

The facade of the Museum of Fine Arts (Szépművészeti Múzeum), decorated with a classic portico, overlooks the square. The basis of his collection was the personal collection of the Esterhazy family. Now thousands of exhibits belonging to different eras and genres are exhibited here.

Address: Budapest, Dózsa György út 41, 1146 Hungary.
Website: szepmuveszeti.hu.

Mucharnock

Műcsarnok Exhibition Hall, photo by Scott

Opposite the Museum of Fine Arts is the Műcsarnok Exhibition Hall. The building is in the neo-Renaissance style with a bright mosaic on the pediment and six columns, built in 1895. This is the art gallery of the capital. Exhibitions of Hungarian and foreign contemporary art take place here.

Address: Budapest, Dózsa György út 37, 1146 Hungary.
Website: mucsarnok.hu.
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00; Mon - day off.

Behind Mucharnok there is a unique Wheel of Time. The world's largest hourglass, measuring the annual cycle.

House of Terror, photo by Américo Aperta

The Terror Museum (Terror Háza) is located in a building built in 1880, which housed the Hungarian State Security Administration and a prison in the post-war period. Photographs and film depict the killings and torture of citizens by the secret services. In these very rooms, opponents of the Hungarian totalitarian regime were interrogated, beaten, kept in shackles and finished off.

Address: Budapest, Andrássy út 60, 1062 Hungary.
Website: terrorhaza.hu.

The Museum of Ethnography (Néprajzi Múzeum) is one of the largest similar museums in Europe; it has more than 200 thousand exhibits and occupies the former House of Justice. His collection includes art and household items, a collection of clothing and photographs, and jewelry from various eras.

Address: Budapest, Kossuth Lajos tér 12, 1055 Hungary.
Website: neprajz.hu.

Városliget

Behind Heroes' Square, Budapest's main park, Városliget, begins. There are the famous Széchenyi baths (Széchenyi fürdő), a circus and a zoo, and the popular Gundel restaurant. On the territory of the park stands Vajdahunyad vára, a stone building in an eclectic style, created in 1907 by the architect I. Alpar. The ensemble is stylized as a knight's fortress and is considered one of the most interesting tourist sites in Budapest.

Confectionery Gerbeau. photo kukulu21

An elegant white palace stands on Vörösmarty Square. This is the iconic Café Gerbeaud, whose history dates back to the 19th century. They serve unique desserts that have no equal in all of Hungary.

Address: Budapest, Vörösmarty tér 7-8, 1051 Hungary.

Ludwig Museum

Museum of Modern Art, photo wunderskatz

On the Danube embankment stands the Museum of Contemporary Art (Kortárs Művészeti Múzeum), a branch of the Ludwig Múzeum in Cologne.

Address: Budapest, Komor Marcell u. 1, 1095 Hungary.
Website: ludwigmuseum.hu.
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00; Mon - day off.

The most beautiful bridge in Budapest is the Freedom Bridge (Szabadság híd), an impressive 334-meter cantilever structure made of openwork metal structures. It was built in 1894–96, blown up by the Germans during the retreat and restored in 1946.

Margaret Island. photo Sandra Kiraly

In the center of the capital there is a real nature reserve - Margaret Island on the Danube (Margit-sziget) or Margaret Island, with a park-arboretum and rock garden, thermal springs and a large summer water park, a unique healing microclimate. There is a musical well, the ruins of an ancient monastery, a water tower.

Mount Gellert

Mount Gellért (Gellért-hegy) is visited by all guests of the capital. At its top, a 19th-century citadel (Citadella) has been preserved; at the foot is the famous Rudas Bath (Rudas Gyógyfürdő), address: Budapest, Döbrentei tér 9, 1013 Hungary. The main attraction of Gellert is the Philosophical Garden sculpture complex. The mountain is named after St. Gerard of Hungary, who baptized the Hungarians and was thrown from this mountain in a barrel studded with nails and drowned in the Danube in 1046.

The Széchenyi Bath (Széchenyi Gyógyfürdő) is the largest in Europe, it has 11 healing pools and 3 saunas, where you can take mud baths. In the open air, in hot pools, where water comes from a depth of 1240 meters from the St. Stephen's spring, next to buildings in the form of palaces, surrounded by snow-white statues and flower bowls, people who are chronically tired and exhausted by civilization improve their health, become prettier and rejuvenate.

Address: Budapest, Allatkerti krt. 9-11, 1146 Hungary.
Website: szechenyifurdo.hu.

Gellert Bath, photo Chiara Salvadori

The Gellért Bath (Gellért Gyógyfürdő) was built at the beginning of the twentieth century and is similar in style to the austere Roman baths. Unique marble columns, Secession-style interiors, stained glass windows, sculptures and mosaics have been preserved here. The bathhouse has 10 indoor and 3 outdoor pools with a water temperature of 26–38 °C (men and women bathe separately in thermal pools), saunas and jacuzzi.

Address: Budapest, Kelenhegyi út 4, 1118 Hungary/
Website: gellertbath.com.

Vaci Street, photo Yolanda TOlivera

Váci Street (Váci utca) is a street in the historical district of Belváros, which is lined with many shops, restaurants and cafes. It is very popular among tourists. Many building facades on the street are decorated with cast iron decorations and mosaics.

Tropicarium-oceanarium, photo scharm60

Tropicarium-Oceanarium (Tropicarium - Oceanarium) is the largest aquarium in Central Europe, its area is 3 thousand square meters. m. It was opened in 2000. The life of the tropics and the ocean is presented in 8 halls. Small monkeys run freely here, turtles move slowly, tropical birds fly, Mississippi alligators swim, and thousands of colorful fish live in giant aquariums.

Address: Budapest, Nagytétényi út 37-43, 1222 Hungary
Website: tropicarium.hu.

Holidays and events

Hungarians love holidays. The most vibrant celebrations in Budapest take place at Christmas. During the Advent period, the city is renewed and blooms with lights. The main fair takes place on Vörösmarty Square - this is where you can feel the authentic atmosphere of Hungary.

New Year, or St. Sylvester's Day, is celebrated noisily - it is believed that wild fun is the key to success and happiness for the whole year. In Budapest there is a custom: at midnight on New Year's Eve, turn over the hourglass of the Wheel of Time.

Budapest Spring Festival takes place in March-April; spring comes to the city with him. The program of long holidays includes concerts, theatrical performances, operas and musicals, operettas, and dance competitions.

Carnival on the Danube is a June holiday, one of the most colorful summer events. The Sziget festival Budapest with its musical and cultural program begins in mid-June and lasts almost until September. Festival performances and concerts can be seen on the islands of Varosmajor and Margitsziget.

Late summer and autumn are the time for sporting events. The Formula 1 stage, the Nemzeti Vágta horse race, and the international supermarathon Vienna to Budapest attract many fans in Budapest.

In September, the most significant event of winemakers is held - the international Budapest International Wine Festival. The main stages of this holiday take place in the Buda Castle.

Kitchen

Over 3,000 restaurants in Budapest offer both traditional Hungarian dishes and international cuisine. Visit the Centenary Restaurant (Szazeves Etterem) or Matyas Pince, visit the Cafe Gerbeaud or the restaurant of the international Nobu chain, one of the owners of which is actor Robert De Niro.

Hungarian cuisine is distinguished by the addition of hot paprika to many dishes. Try Hungarian soups: goulash (gulyas), halászlé - fish soup; main dishes: percolt (pörkölt), paprikás csirke, lecso (lecsó). Desserts: somlói galuska, Dobos torta - sponge cake with chocolate cream and glaze, cottage cheese dessert - túrógombóc.

What to see in the area

The historic town of Szentendre is located 20 km from Budapest. Here you can see magnificent churches: the Annunciation Church and the Cathedral.

In the town of Martonvasar, 30 km away from the capital, there is the neo-Gothic Brunswick Castle with a beautiful English park and the Beethoven Museum.

In the town of Veresedház, located 25 km from the center of Budapest, there is a unique animal shelter - the Bear Park.

In an hour and a half you can reach the “Hungarian Sea” - Lake Balaton. Fans of fishing, sailing, and windsurfing flock to these fabulous places.

On the western shore of Lake Balaton is the town of Keszthely with preserved ancient streets and a Baroque palace. The healing salt lake Heviz extends 4 km from this city.

The town of Eger, located 140 km from Budapest, is famous for its ancient fortress, ancient temples, wine cellars and the Turkish Baths thermal complex.

Nyugati station (Nyugati pályaudvar) - “Western station”. photo Attila-N

By train

There are 3 railway stations in Budapest: South (Deli), West (Nyugati) and East (Keleti). Trains arrive here every day from major cities in Hungary and Europe.

By plane

Direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Budapest are operated by UTair, Wizz Air and Aeroflot. From Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Perm, Samara, Ufa, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar, flights of Czech Airlines, Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines are possible with connections in Prague, Frankfurt am Main and Vienna.

By bus

The main carrier companies are Eurolines and Ecolines. All international buses arrive at Nepliget station.

On the ship

Passenger river transport is carried out by the company Mahart Passnave, which operates on the Danube and Tisza. In addition to local ones, it carries out transportation on the international route Budapest - Vienna.

Personal transfer

If you are traveling with a group of 3 or more people, then it is quite profitable to order a transfer for about €220.

How to get from the airport to Budapest

By train

There is a direct train connection between Terminal 1 of the airport and the Western railway station Nyugati pályaudvar. Travel time is about 30 minutes, frequency is 2-3 flights per hour;

By bus

Take bus 200E from Terminal 2 to the Kőbánya-Kispest metro station, the end station of the M3 line, and then take the subway to your desired location. Buses depart every 8-10 minutes;

By taxi

You can use taxi services. .

How do I save on hotels?

It’s very simple - look not only on booking. I prefer the search engine RoomGuru. He searches for discounts simultaneously on Booking and on 70 other booking sites.

There is so much to see in this fabulous city: mysterious castles and ancient fortresses, magnificent palaces and majestic temples, various theaters and original museums, healing thermal baths and labyrinths of underground caves. And also - grand bridges, playful fountains, cozy boulevards, spacious squares and noisy streets, and even your own paradise island, buried in greenery. And, of course, amazing goulash, aromatic Tokaji and cheerful csardas. All this together and separately is the calling card of the capital of Hungary, Budapest.

Pest and its squares

Budapest, especially the part called Pest, is famous for its squares. There are about a dozen of them here. Oktogon Square, Franz Liszt, Mora Yokai. After passing through them, you can get to the most famous square of the city - the Square of Heroes, on which stands a monument - the Millennium Column, made of marble, with a sculpture of the Archangel Gabriel, 36 meters high. And in the niches in a semicircle on both sides of the column, there are statues of important people in the history of Hungary.

From Heroes' Square you can get to the beautiful Városliget park, located on the shore of a picturesque lake. And there’s Vajdahunyad Castle nearby. And further along the bridge are the famous Széchenyi thermal baths.

Buda - on the other side

By crossing the most famous bridge (of which there are nine in Budapest) called the Chain Bridge, you can get to Buda. There are numerous fortresses, palaces and cathedrals here. The Buda Fortress rises above the city above the slowly flowing Danube.

The elegant Royal Palace is visible from anywhere in the city. The Gothic Matthias Cathedral is also located here, where coronation ceremonies of Hungarian monarchs used to be held.

Narrow ancient streets, colorful facades of houses, tiled roofs. The Fisherman's Bastion is one of the most recognizable buildings in Budapest. And from the observation terrace you can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of stunning Pest.

In addition to all the attractions, Budapest has something that no other European capital has - city caves. They are real and very ancient, but preserved in their original form. It is full of stalactites, stalagmites, and in one of them there is a huge thermal lake “hiding”.

There are many amazing things to be found in the capital of Hungary, Budapest. And this city generously shares everything with those who want to touch its beauty, understand its soul and love with all their hearts.