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Budapest History:

Thanks to the favourable location of Budapest, the area was already inhabited in the prehistoric ages. The Celts built up a settlement at the territory of today’s Óbuda. During the first century, the Romans widened the border of their empire towards the Danube, and built up their military fortresses, Aquincum, in today’s Budapest area. Around the fortresses a city has developed, which remains can be found at today’s Óbuda (stone roads, amphitheatres, bastions, and fortresses).

The Roman regime collapsed at the end of the 4 th century and during the migrations the area of today’s Budapest became under Hun, Longobard and Avar rule. The Hungarians occupied the Pest part of the city at the end of the conquest in the 9 th century. During the 11 th century, an important crossing place has developed at the foot of the Gellert-hill. At the end of the 12 th century, a settlement can be found in Óbuda, in Pest and around the Gellert-hill.

In 1241, the Mongols destroyed most of Pest and Óbuda. After the Tartars left the country, the Buda castle was built and during the 12 th century it became of great importance. Buda was the royal residence and citizen area, while Pest operated as a commercial centre.

In the 15th century, during the rule of King Matthias Buda became the political, cultural and artistic centre of contemporary Europe. The Royal Palace was rebuilt, a library, a printing house and a college were opened.

From the 16th century the city stood under the rule of the Turkish Empire, and became an Asian-type, Eastern city. Apart from the world famous Turkish Baths few remarkable monuments were raised during this period.

From the end of the 17 th century on Budapest was rebuilt step by step. The today’s town hall and most of the baroque churches were erected during this period. The Royal Palace has been also renewed. Buda was the administrative, while Pest was the main industrial and commercial centre of the country.

At the first half of the 19 th century, Pest became the intellectual centre of Hungary. The development continued, the Chain Bridge was erected.

After the war of independence, The Compromise of 1867 the Hungarian-Austrian Monarchy was established and this had a very positive impact on the city’s development.

In 1873 Buda, Pest and Óbuda united. Budapest developed, new bridges, parks, drains, public lighting, stone roads and underground. Before the end of the 19 th century Budapest with its 800,000 inhabitants became a metropolitan and the competed with the size and importance of Vienna. Pest turned to be the commercial, administrational, political and cultural centre of the country.

During the 2nd World War most of the city was ruined or damaged, the bridges were all destroyed. Between 1942 and 1950 Budapest was rebuilt. In 1950 the number of inhabitants of the city has increased because the surrounding settlements were annexed to the capital.

In 1956, the entering Soviet troops made big destruction in some parts of Budapest.

Hungary was part of the Communist world until 1990. It is hard to find relics characteristic to the era, because after the transition the monuments and symbols of the regime were carried away.

* Source: Budapest Hotel Guide

Things to do in Budapest:

1. Hungarian State Opera House – This magnificent new-Renaissance style structure, completed in 1884 and modeled after the Vienna Opera House, is home to both the State Opera and the State Ballet

2. Castle Hill (Varhegy) – Lovingly restored after being reduced to rubble during World War II, this picturesque area is located in the heart of medieval Budapest, which is characterized by cobblestone streets, narrow alleys and lovely squares surrounded by baroque and classical buildings

3. Gresham Palace

4. St. Stephen’s Basilica – Built between 1851 and 1905, this large parish church accommodates 8,500 people and features a magnificent 300-foot, neo-Renaissance dome

5. Walk across the Chain Bridge of the Danube – Completed in 1849, this bridge was the first to be built across the Hungarian section of the Danube and is now considered to be one of the city’s major landmarks.

6. Parliament – The domed neo-Gothic structre was inspired by the British House of Parliament and serves as both a vibrant government center and a proud city landmark on the banks of the Danube

7. Holocaust Memorial Centre

8. Hero’s Square – A large square constructed in 1896 for the millennium of the Magyar Conquest of Hungary. The square’s Millennial Monument is flanked by the Fine Arts Museum and the Mucsarnok Art Gallery.

9. Citadella – Located on the summit of Gellert Hill, this fortress was built by the Hapsburgs in 1854 to keep the city under surveillance

10. House of Terror Museum – A museum devoted to various historical terror regimes and practices.

11. Matthias Church – Used over the centuries as a coronation church for the Hungarian kings, the slender and graceful architecture of this beautiful church dominates the main square of the Castle area

12. Memento Park – It’s worth visiting the Statue Park.  A one-of-a-kind glimpse of communist history, the park displays a sometimes amusing, sometimes haunting, but always intriguing collection of communist-era statues.  A new exhibition called “Stalin’s Boots” opened in 2007. The park is situated just outside Budapest and can be reached by an approximately half-hour direct bus ride from Erzsebet Sq which is connected to Deak Square where all 3 metro lines converge.  The park is open from 10 AM to sunset daily.  For more information on Szobor Park, see their website or if you want to take a tour of the park and learn more about Hungary’s communist past take the Hammer and Sickle Tour, Eurama Tour or Special Tours Hungary Red Star Tour.

13. Hungarian Restaurants – pick any restaurant that has a Hungarian themed menu, they are all good! Goulash and paprikash are a must-eat!

 

Tips:

1. Be careful about taking pictures of people in Hungary, especially if you are focused on street photography and locals are your main subject. You may be breaking the law! Click here to read more.