BUDAPEST SOME GEOGRAPHY The River Danube The River Danube flows through ten central European countries it is also the longest river in Europe. It separates the two parts of the city. Pest lies on the flat terrain of the Great Plain while Buda is rather hilly. Gyula Pauer s monument contains 60 pairs of iron shoes, forming a row of about 40 metres. It is a commemoration dedicated to the victims of the fascist Arrow Cross party who shot the people Hungarian Jewish right into the river. The victims had to take their shoes off, WWII Memorial since shoes were valuable belongings at the time. Széchenyi Chain Bridge The Széchenyi Chain Bridge (Lánchíd) was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Budapest, and was opened in 1849. The major supporter of its construction was István Széchenyi, the Greatest Hungarian. At the time of its construction, it was regarded as one of the modern world's engineering wonders. It became a symbol of advancement, national awakening, and the linkage between East and West. 1
FAMOUS BUILDINGS The Hungarian Parliament Building The House of Parliament was built according to plans by Imre Steindl. It was completed in 1904 and it is one of Europe's most splendid Parliament buildings. The outer walls are decorated with statues of Hungarian monarchs and military commanders. The Holy Crown Since 2000, it has been on display in the central Dome Hall of the Hungarian Parliament Building Buda Castle Buda Castle was the residence of Hungarian kings. Matthias Church (Mátyás templom) Fisherman s Bastion (Halászbástya) It is a segment of the city-wall that stands behind Matthias Church. This was the coronation church of Hungarian kings since King Matthias. The records of 1247 first mention this church as the main church of Buda Castle. 2
St. Stephen s Basilica St. Stephen's Basilica is dedicated to Hungary's first king, St. Stephen. It is the largest church in Budapest, about 8500 people can get in. The Holy Right In Hand St. Stephen s Basilica you can find St. Stephen's mummified right hand, the Holy Right Hand (Szent Jobb), Hungary's most sacred treasure. Vajdahunyad Castle Vajdahunyad Castle is in City Park (Városliget). It was built for the Millennial Exhibition by Ignác Alpár, and at first it was intended to be a temporary construction built for the festival. The Vajdahunyad Castle now houses an agricultural museum. It's the site of the Mangalica Festival every year. Planetarium Planetarium stands in Népliget. In the dome of it spectacular laser shows accompanied by classical or pop music provide nice enetertainment. 3
FAMOUS MUSEUMS Museum of Fine Arts The Museum of Fine Arts (Szépművészeti Múzeum) is a 100-year old museum in Heroes Square (Hősök tere). The museum's collection is made up of international art (other than Hungarian), including all periods of European art. Art Gallery Budapest Art Gallery also referred to as Hall of Arts (Műcsarnok) serves as an exhibition gallery for various artists. It is in Heroes Square, opposite the Museum of Fine Arts. Hunngarian National Museum The Hungarian National Museum (Nemzeti Múzeum) has been an important building throughout history. One of the most important moments was March 15, 1848, when Sándor Petőfi read the National Song on the steps of the museum. Today there are seven permanent exhibitions in the museum. 4
Acquinqum Roman Empire left the city named Acquincum here in Budapest and now tourists can enjoy the ruins of this place. Acquincum was a civilian town with the walls, paved streets, forum, aqueducts and much more. There is a museum too, that shows the objects found in this Roman city. FAMOUS Squares, Parks, Streets and Places of Entertainment Heroes Square Heroes' Square (Hősök tere) is one of the major squares of Budapest. Hősök tere is surrounded by two important buildings, Museum of Fine Arts on the left, and Art Gallery (or Hall of Art) on the right. Millennium Monument The Millennium Monument (Millenniumi emlékmű) also called Millennium Memorial or Millenary Monument stands in the centre of the square. It contains statues of the leaders of the seven tribes that founded Hungary in the 9th century and other outstanding figures of Hungarian history. 5
Váci Street Váci Street (Váci utca) is one of the main shopping streets in Budapest. It features a large number of restaurants and shops catering primarily to the tourist market. Andrássy Avenue The 2.5 km long Andrássy Avenue connects City Park (Városliget) with the city centre. Some of the most spectacular buildings of Budapest are along Andrássy Avenue, including the Hungarian State Opera House, Liszt Ferenc Music Academy, or the Ballet Institute. The Millennium Underground Part of the Millennium Underground, the first continental metro line in Europe (built between 1894-96), runs parallel with Andrássy út with stations at Heroes' Square, Bajza utca, Kodály körönd, Oktogon and the Opera. City Park City Park (Városliget) is the largest of all Budapest parks. It attracts many people on weekends. One end of the park is Vajdahunyad Castle and the other is the Budapest Zoo. City Park Pond City Park Pond (Városligeti-tó) is used as an ice rink in winter, the largest outdoor skating-rink in Central Europe. 6
Margaret Island Margaret Island (Margitsziget) received its name after Princess Margit, daughter of King Béla IV. The island s attractions include romantic walkways, medieval ruins, a small zoo, musical fontain, a water tower, swimming pools, lido and a relaxing atmosphere. The open-air theatre stages opera and ballet performances in summer. The Buda Hills Cogwheel Railway Children s Railway The Buda Hills (Budai-hegység) are a low mountain range of numerous hills. They include Gellért Hill (Gellért-hegy), Castle Hill (Várhegy), Svábhegy, Janos Hill (Jánoshegy), Széchenyihegy, Martonhegy and Sashegy. Budapest Cogwheel Railway (Fogaskerekű vasút) is the world s third hill railway. It can take you from Moszkva tér to the Buda hills. Children's Railway (Gyermek Vasút) is called so because it is operated by children. The children check the tickets, make announcements at the stations and greet the train. The train goes slowly through the woods up and down Buda hills and stops at the highest point of Budapest, János-hegy 7
Gellért Hill Gellért Hill (Gellért-hegy) is a 235 m high hill overlooking the Danube. Gellért Hill was named after Saint Gerard, who was thrown to death from the hill. Part of the drinking water supply of Budapest is stored in an inner reservoir within the hill. Citadel Staue of Liberty The fortress of the Citadel was built by the Habsburgs in 1851 after they suppressed the 1848-49 revolution and war of independence. The purpose of the Citadel was to remind the rebellious Hungarians who ruled the country. The Hungarians called it the Budapest Bastille. The Habsburgs handed it over to the City Council at the end of the 19th century. Parts of it were symbolically destroyed. The statue was erected in 1947 after the second world war. The main figure is a woman, holding an olive branch, the symbol of peace in her hands. On both sides symbolic figures can be seen: the young man's victory over the dragon represents the defeat of fascism. János Hill János Hill (Jánoshegy) is Budapest s highest hill. It is 527m high and offers wonderful views, especially from the tower at the top. Chair Lift The Chair Lift (Libegő) is the one of the most interesting sights of the hills of Buda. During your trip you can take delight in the beautiful panorama. It takes you up to the top of János Hill from Zugliget. Elizabeth Lookout Tower The Elizabeth lookout tower (Erzsébet-kilátó) is made up of four round terraces that gradually diminish in size, and which offer a magnificent view in all directions. 8
Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden The Zoo is located in the City Park, close to Heroes Square. In Budapest Zoo you can see more than 2000 animals from the African savannah to the arctic area. All animals live within conditions similar to their original habitats. Although when you visit the zoo the animals are the main attractions but spare some time to drop in the botanical garden housing around 2000 different plants. Széchenyi Thermal Bath Széchenyi Thermal Bath (Széchenyi Gyógyfürdő) is the largest thermal bath of Budapest. The neo-baroque baths were built in 1913. Its thermal springs were discovered in 1879 - they are the deepest and warmest thermal wells in Budapest. 9
Gellért Thermal Bath The best-known and most prestigious thermal bath and swimming-pool of Budapest with its famous sparkling bath, open-air pool with artificial wawes and full medical services. 10