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Visiting Budapest for the first time is a breathtaking experience. The wide, tree-lined boulevards, the historic buildings and the Danube River flowing through the centre of the city bring to mind another beautiful city, Paris. It is not surprising, therefore, that Budapest has been referred to as the ”Paris of the East”.The city is divided by the Danube. Buda, the hilly area, lies west, while Pest lies to the east of the river. Both sides of the city have their fair share of historic sites.
Things To Do In Budapest
Budapest is the capital and most populous city of Hungary. It is the ninth-largest city in the European Union by population within city limits; the city has an estimated population of 1,752,286 over a land area of about 525 square kilometres (203 square miles). Budapest, which is both a city and county, forms the centre of the Budapest metropolitan area, which has an area of 7,626 square kilometres (2,944 square miles) and a population of 3,303,786, comprising 33% of the population of Hungary.
Buda: the Castle Hill area
Castle Hill rises 60 metres above the Danube, and its strategic position was recognised as early as 1247, when a fortress was built there. Over centuries, the castle was rebuilt and destroyed several times, the last destruction being in 1945, during World War II. Under the rubble, the remains of the medieval fortress were discovered, and these have been incorporated into the newly built palace complex. The complex now houses several museums and galleries spread over three floors, and all are worth a visit, as they showcase the history and culture of Hungary.
Matthias Church
This is one of Budapest’s architectural masterpieces. It has had a chequered history, dating back to the 13th century, after the Mongol invasion of Hungary. Since then, the church has undergone many architectural and decorative changes (at one point it was even a mosque). The last redecoration took place under the Jesuits (circa 1867) who remodelled it in the Baroque style.
The exterior of the church is dominated by the 80-metre Bela tower. Inside, the walls have been extensively painted with geometric and floral repetitive patterns. There are three notable arched stained-glass windows, and over the Mary Portal door are five paintings depicting the birth and childhood of Christ. The church has three chapels, the Loreto Chapel, the Trinity Chapel (which contains the tomb of King Bela and his wife) and St. Stephen’s Chapel.
The Fishermen’s Bastion
The Bastion is built on the site where the old fish market stood in the Middle Ages. At that time, the fishermen were responsible for defending the wall, but the present wall (bastion) was only built for aesthetic reasons and to complement Matthias Church.
The Bastion’s white ramparts, curving staircases and seven domed turrets have a magical quality about them, and could quite easily be at home in Disney World. The view from the ramparts, overlooking the Danube and to the Pest side, is wonderfully picturesque.
Gellert Hill
Gellert Hill, a 140-metre dolomite cliff, is named after an 11th century Benedictine abbot, Gellert, who helped convert the Magyars (Hungarian natives) to Christianity. At the base of the cliff is the elegant art nouveau-style Hilton Hotel, with its opulent and exclusive spa baths. Nearby is the Cave Church, which was established in 1926 for the Pauline monks. During the communist regime, however, the entrance to the church was sealed up, and the monks were jailed. The entrance was only re-opened in 1989.
Gellert Monument
High up Gellert Hill stands the statue of St. Gellert. Legend has it that the Magyars rebelled circa 1046 against Gellert’s efforts to convert them and they put him in a barrel and rolled him down the hill into the Danube. The present 12-metre statue of the saint, holding his cross aloft, was built in 1904.
The Chain Bridge
This was erected in 1849, the work of an English engineer, William Tierney Clark, and a Scottish builder, Adam Clark. Flanked by two pairs of Doric columns, the bridge became a symbol of the city, and after it was destroyed during World War II, it was the first bridge to be rebuilt.
Another elegant bridge over the Danube is the Elisabeth Bridge. It was named after King Franz Josef I’s wife, Elisabeth, who was much loved by the Hungarians.
On the east side of the river, the city Pest has many wonderful palaces, monuments and squares, churches, as well as being commercial hub of the city.
St. Stephen’s Basilica
Work on the basilica began in 1851, using a neoclassical, Greek cross floor plan. After a storm had destroyed the still-unfinished building in 1868, it was redesigned with a neo-Renaissance dome. The basilica was finally consecrated in 1905.
The interior (which can hold 8,500 people) has many beautiful mosaics, paintings and sculptures, including one of St. Stephen wearing a halo. Hungary’s most important relic, Stephen’s mummified Holy Right Hand, is housed in a model of Matthias Church, and is taken out and displayed daily.
Parliament Buildings
Situated on the Danube embankment, the Parliament Building is Budapest’s most famous building. The ground plan is Baroque, but the façade is a fusion of neo-Gothic and Renaissance design. Work began in 1885, and 1,000 people worked every day on the building for 17 years. Inside there is a 96-step ceremonial staircase leading to the 691 rooms above, many of which are beautifully painted and trimmed with 22-karat gold. The dome is decorated with gilding, and has an exquisite chandelier. The pillars supporting the dome have statues of Hungary’s former rulers. Seen from the Buda side, across the Danube, the Parliament Building resembles Britain’s Houses of Parliament.
Margaret Island
This small island in the centre of the Danube is a recreational paradise, both for tourists and residents of Budapest alike. During the Middle Ages, the island was a royal game park; later, it became home to a succession of religious orders. King Bela built a Dominican convent there, and his daughter, Margaret, was a nun there (hence the Island’s name).
The Island has many amusements to offer: roller skates, pedal-cars and bikes can be hired to explore the area. On the west side, there are swimming pools and a bathing complex, with thermal pools and a water chute. To the east, the remains of a Franciscan church and the ruins of the Dominican convent can be seen. On the northernmost tip of the island, two very grand hotels have been built.
This vast, paved square is dominated by a 36-metre column with a statue of Archangel Gabriel on top. At the base of the column, there are several statues of Magyar chieftains astride their horses. Behind the column and on either side of it, there are two semi-circular colonnades, with four groups of horsemen on top. In between the columns of the colonnade are statues of past Hungarian rulers.
The Heroes’ Monument is dedicated to the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of Hungary.
City Park
This park was created as part of the 1896 millenary celebrations. It has a large lake, which, in winter, is used for ice skating. The nearby Vajdahunyad Castle was designed especially for the 1896 celebrations. It was built with the intention of amalgamating all the different architectural styles found in Hungary into one building. The result is a delightful, fairytale castle. Also in the City Park are the Transport Museum, the Szechenyi Baths (with their hot springs), an amusement park and Budapest Zoo.
Final Thoughts
These are only a very few of the wonders to be found in Budapest. The city really needs to be visited to experience it in all its glory. The best time to visit Budapest is between June and August, when the temperature ranges from 19 to 21 degrees Celsius.
After the fall of communism in 1989, the shops gradually began to modernise their décor, and now can compete with most western European countries as far as fashions are concerned. Andrassy Ut, Budapest’s tree-lined and impressive boulevard, is flanked with elegant shops where modish outfits may be purchased.
Budapest’s most famous restaurant, Gundel, is famous not only in Hungary, but throughout Europe, and one has to book months in advance to get a table there. The city boasts many restaurants, cafes and bars where one can get a decent and relatively inexpensive meal. The portions are large and hearty, but most places offer a varied menu. Vegetarians, however, will not fare very well, being limited to fried cheese dishes and indifferent salads.
It is easy to get around the city; there are three metro lines, as well as efficient bus and tram services. There are several guided tours on offer: boat tours on the Danube, bus tours round the city and walking tours, both on the Buda and Pest sides.
As far as entertainment is concerned, Budapest caters to all tastes; there is a thriving theatre culture, classical concerts, opera and jazz, as well as folk music at select venues.
When planning your next vacation, consider visiting Budapest — it is an experience you will never forget.
Image Credit: Depositphotos
