Sights Of Budapest

CASTLE DISTRICT

(Várnegyed 1st district)

If you want to see the whole town on the northern side of the Castle, you need to walk about 3 km around the Castle District between the two entrances - Bécsi kapu tér and Dísz tér. Major sights: Matthias Church Fishermen's Bastion, tower of Mary Magdalene Church.
The current uniform Baroque appearance had emerged by the mid-18th century. The restored Castle District is a cultural, arts and tourist centre. As well as the major museums housed in the Royal Palace, there are numerous interesting collections - Museum of War History, Golden Eagle Pharmacy Museum, Hungarian Museum of Commerce and Catering, Medieval Jewish Prayer House, Museum of Telephony, Museum of Music History, Castle Cave and some fine galleries.
This is where you can find Budapest Hilton Hotel, which is probably the most beautiful member of the Hilton chain. In a side wing one can see the ruins of a medieval Dominican cloister. The area offers plenty of aristocratic and middle-class restaurants, pastry shops, cafeterias and night clubs. Guided tours around the Castle District are also offered.

FISHERMEN'S BASTION

(Halászbástya, I. district, Szentháromság tér)

Completed ín 1905 on the site of a former fish market - this is where the name comes from. It has never served defense purposes: it is an excellent look-out place. The flood-lit row of bastions offer a panoramic view from the other bank of Danube.
The cityscape is opening up from there, including the Fishermen's Bastion, has been part of UNESCO's World Heritage since 1988. The crypt Of the St. Michael Cemetery Chapel, first written record from 1443, was opened to the public in 1997. Temporary exhibitions and a special paper-making workshop inside.
Open: Tue-Sun 0830-2300 16 March-31 Oct with one ticket for both sights, Mon and on other dates free admission to the Fishermen's Bastion.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

(Földtani Intézet, XIV., Stefánia út 14.)

The Hungarian style plus art nouveau palace was built in 1898-1899. The brick ornamental braids, the steep roofs covered with blue glazed tiles and the frontispiece lend a bizarre, fairy-tale like look to the building. On the roof top three figures hold a globe on their backs. Particularly beautiful is the fence.

GRAND MARKET HALL

(Nagyvásárcsarnok, IX., Fövám krt. 1-3.)

Budapest's largest and grandest market hall was opened in 1897. Sale is done on an area of 10,000 sq. m under a huge iron structure. The program of foreign diplomatic delegations often includes a visit here. Since restored to its original glory in 1994, it is well worth a visit.
Open: Mon 0600-1700, Tue-Fri 0600-1800, Sat 0600-1400

HEROES' SQUARE

(Hősök tere) 14th district.)

Budapest's grandest square closes off Andrássy út, and the City Park is right behind it. The square forms a splendid unity of a monument and two Eclectic style buildings, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Art Gallery.
The Millennium Monument was erected on the 1000th anniversary of the Magyar settlement. In the focus of the semicircular colonnade stands the bronze statue of Archangel Gabriel on a 36 meter high column, which was awarded Grand Prix at the Paris World Exposition in 1900.

The statues depict the most remarkable personalities of Hungarian history. In the middle of the square is the Monument Of National Heroes (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier). Several memorable events were held on the square: the Eucharist World Congress (1938), the service before the re-burial of Prime Minister Imre
Nagy and the other martyrs (1989), a holy mass by Pope John Paul II (1991).

GÜL BABA'S TOMB

(Gül baba türbéje, II., Mecset u. 14.)

The tomb of the Turkish dervish revered as a saint was built 1543-1548. It is now a museum and place of pilgrimage for Muslims. The full
reconstruction of the monument together with the rose garden was completed in 1997. The building houses a pleasant coffee shop.
Open: Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00 1 May-30 Sept; 10.00-16.00 1-31 Oct

LIBERATION MONUMENT

(Szabadság-szobor, Gellért Hill)

A 36 m high group of sculptures, erected in 1947. A 14 m tall female figure
representing Liberty stands in the middle, which can be seen from almost any
point in town.
The names of the Soviet soldiers who died for the liberation of
Budapest are engraved on the back of the pedestal. The statue of a Soviet
soldier, which stood in the foreground until 1992, can today be seen in the
Statue Park Museum.

PARLIAMENT

(Országház, V., Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3.)

Hungary's largest, most beautiful and best-known building, also a symbol of Budapest. The Hungarian Holy Crown and the coronation insignia are kept here.

Resembling the Westminster Palace, it was built in 1885-1904 with an eclectic facade, neo-Gothic details, Renaissance and Baroque layout and spaces. One of the biggest parliaments in the World. 268 m long, 118 m wide, 96 m high dome, 691 rooms on an area of 17,700 sq. m. The sculptures, paintings and frescos were made by the best artists of the day. The first district heating system in Hungary was installed here.
Open: guided tours only, subject to Parliamentary sessions. The Parliamentary Library is a public collection in political science and jurisprudence, modern history, international issues, publications of the UN, the Hungarian and foreign
parliaments. Open: Mon-Thu 0900-1945, Fri 0900-1400, Sat 0900-1800 (entrance from Gate XXV on the bank of the Danube).