Sights Of Budapest

BUDA CASTLE

(Budai Vár, 1st district)

The first castle, which had been built for 300 years in Gothic style, was almost completely destroyed during the retaking of Buda from the Turks (1686), and a Baroque palace of modest dimensions was only begun in 1715.
Large-scale extension began in 1749 and finished in 1790, however minor extensions and conversion were also made later. The Hapsburg monarchs did not live here, only used it during their visit to Buda; later it was the residence of the Palatines. On 3 March 1800 Joseph Haydn conducted his oratory Creation in the ceremony hall.

The current neo-Baroque appearance dates back to the late 19th c. It completely burnt out during World War II. Restoration revealed several parts of the medieval royal palace, and then it became home to the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum, National Széchényi Library and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
The Castle Theatre, an outlet of the National Theatre is in an adjoining building. Guided tours are offered for visitors to these sights.

CITADEL

(Citadella, Gellért Hill)

The Citadel, which was built by the Austrians after the repression of the 1848-1849 War of Independence to provide military control over the town, and was referred to as the Bastille on the Gellért Hill' by a Hungarian newspaper in 1855, soon lost its significance as a fortification.
Today it is a tourist sight with hotel, restaurant and café. Many say that you can have the most beautiful view of the city from here.

VAJDAHUNYAD CASTLE

(Vajdahunyad vára, City Park)

For the Millennium celebrations in 1896 a predecessor of
today's Vajdahunyad Castle was constructed from timber in an attempt to display all the architectural styles found in Hungary to give a unified impression.
It was so successful that the Castle was rebuilt using permanent materials in 1904. The four parts of the complex include Roman, Gothic, transitional and Renaissance-Baroque style parts. Today it houses the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture.