Hungary – a quick history
9th century – Magyars under Prince Arpad settle Danube plain
1000 – Stephen I, a descendant of Arpad, recognized by Pope as first Christian king of Hungary, expands Hungarian control over Carpathian basin.
1526 – Ottoman Turks defeat forces of Hungarian king at Battle of Mohacs, establishing control over most of the country.
1699 – Austrian Habsburgs under Leopold I expel Turks.
1867 – Hungary becomes equal partner in Austro-Hungarian Empire.
1918 – Austro-Hungarian Empire is broken up at the end of World War I. Hungarian republic is proclaimed following a revolution.
1919 – Communists take over power
1920 – Under Treaty of Trianon, Entente powers award more than two-thirds of Hungarian territory to Czechoslovakia, Romania and Yugoslavia. The re-defining of Hungary’s borders leaves a third of native Hungarian speakers living outside the country.
1941 – Germany invades Soviet Union. Hungary allies itself with Germany, and loses a large part of its army on the Eastern Front.
1944 – Hungarian Nazis seize power after Horthy asks advancing Soviet troops for an armistice. Jews and gypsies are deported to death camps.
1945 – Soviet forces drive the Germans out of Hungary by early April.
1947-49 – Communists consolidate power under Soviet occupation
1956 – Uprising against Soviet domination suppressed by the Soviet Army.
Gradual change to liberalism
1989 – Berlin wall falls
1991 – Soviet forces withdraw from Hungary.
1999 – Joins NATO
2004 May – Hungary is one of 10 new states to join the EU.
Budapest
Budapest’s history is a fascinating tapestry woven from Roman settlements, medieval kingdoms, and modern grandeur.
The city as we know it today was formed in 1873 by the unification of three cities: Buda, Óbuda, and Pest.
* Buda’s Buda Castle district boasts medieval Hungarian architecture, while Pest, on the eastern bank of the Danube, reflects the grandeur of 19th-century Austro-Hungarian Empire.
* Roman influence can be found in Óbuda, where the ruins of Aquincum, a significant Roman city, stand.
Budapest has weathered numerous storms, from Mongol invasions to Habsburg rule, World Wars, and Communist regimes. Through it all, the city has emerged as a cultural and architectural gem, a must-visit for any traveler.
Andrassy Bulevard
Count Gyula Andrássy de Csíkszentkirály et Krasznahorka (8 March 1823 – 18 February 1890) was a Hungarian statesman, who served as Prime Minister of Hungary (1867–1871) and subsequently as Foreign Minister of Austria-Hungary (1871–1879). Andrássy was a conservative; his foreign policies looked to expanding the Empire into Southeast Europe, preferably with British and German support, and without alienating Turkey. He saw Russia as the main adversary, because of its own expansionist policies toward Slavic and Orthodox areas
Hungarian Parliament Building (Országház)
The Hungarian Parliament Building, also known as the Parliament of Budapest after its location, is the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary, a notable landmark of Hungary, and a popular tourist destination in Budapest. The building was planned to face the Danube River. An international competition was held, and Imre Steindl emerged as the victor. Construction from the winning plan was started in 1885, and the building was inaugurated on the presumed 1,000th anniversary of the country in 1896. The keys to the building were handed over in 1902, however, It was not fully completed until 1904.
To visit the outside is FREE. They have tours inside for $28 per person and it is well worth it, but needs to be scheduled ahead of time.
Great Market Hall (Nagycsarnok)
The largest and oldest indoor market in Budapest. The building was designed and built by Samu Pecz in 1897. The market offers a large variety of stalls on three floors. The entrance gate has a neo gothic touch. A distinctive architectural feature is the roof which was restored to have colorful Zsolnay tiling from Pécs. The size of the building is 10,000 square meters and is covered by a steel structure. During World War II the market was significantly damaged and remained in deteriorating condition. It wasn’t until 1991 that a thorough renovation was undertaken to bring it back to its original splendor. – FREE
Gellért fürdő or Gellért Baths
The Gellért Baths complex includes thermal baths, which are small pools containing water from Gellért hill’s mineral hot springs. The bath complex in Budapest was built between 1912 and 1918 in the Art Nouveau style. They were damaged during World War II, but then rebuilt. References to healing waters in this location are found from as early as the 13th century. A hospital was located on this site during the Middle Ages. During the reign of the Ottoman Empire, baths were built on this particular site.
Gellert Hill
A 235 m (771 ft) high hill overlooking the Danube in Budapest, Hungary. Gellért Hill was named after Saint Gerard who was thrown to his death from the hill. – FREE (currently closed for renovation but we can get close)
Széchenyi Lánchíd or Széchenyi Chain Bridge
It is a suspension bridge that spans the River Danube between Buda and Pest, the western and eastern sides of Budapest. It was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Budapest, and was opened in 1849. The bridge is named after István Széchenyi, a major supporter of its construction. At the time of its construction, it counted as a wonder of the world. It had an enormous significance in the country’s economics and life. Its decorations made of cast iron, and its construction, radiating calm dignity and balance, raised it among the most beautiful industrial monuments in Europe. It became a symbol of advancement, national awakening, and the linkage between East and West. – FREE
The Budapest Castle Hill Funicular or Budavári Sikló
A funicular railway in the city of Budapest. The line was opened on March 2, 1870, and has been in municipal ownership since 1920. It was destroyed in the Second World War and reopened on June 4, 1986. Features of the line are the two pedestrian foot bridges which cross above it. These were present when the line opened, were removed in 1900 when the castle’s garden was extended, and rebuilt to the original design in 1983
Buda Castle (Hungarian: Budai Vár) is the historical castle complex of the Hungarian kings in Budapest, Hungary, first completed in 1265. In the past, it was also called Royal Palace (Hungarian: Királyi-palota) and Royal Castle (Hungarian: Királyi Vár).
Matthias Church (Hungarian: Mátyás-templom)
A church located in Budapest, Hungary, at the heart of Buda’s Castle District. According to church tradition, it was originally built in 1015. The current building was constructed in the florid late Gothic style in the second half of the 14th century and was extensively restored in the late 19th century. It was the second largest church in medieval Buda.
Fisherman’s Bastion (Halászbástya)
A terrace in neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque style situated on the Buda bank of the Danube, on the Castle hill in Budapest, around Matthias Church. It was designed and built between 1895 and 1902 (Restoration in 1947–48). From the towers and the terrace a panoramic view exists of Duna, Margaret Island, Pest to the east and Gellért Hill. Its seven towers represent the seven Magyar tribes that settled in the Carpathian Basin in 896. The Bastion takes its name from the guild of fishermen that was responsible for defending this stretch of the city walls in the Middle Ages. It is a viewing terrace, with many stairs and walking paths. A bronze statue of Stephen I of Hungary mounted on a horse, erected in 1906, can be seen between the Bastion and the Matthias Church.
Fogaskereku/Children’s Railway
The Children’s Railway is located in the west of the city of Budapest. Its eleven-kilometer-long, narrow gauge line runs through the woods of the hills of the city on the Buda side. Children aged 10 to 14 control the traffic and commercial services provided, but strictly according to regulations of any other railway line of the State Railways of Hungary. The engines are driven by adult engineers, and children on duty are continuously supervised by adult railway employees.
Hungarian State Opera House.
A neo-Renaissance opera house located in central Pest. It is a richly-decorated building and is considered one of the architect’s masterpieces. It was built in neo-Renaissance style, with elements of baroque. The auditorium holds 1261 seats. The construction lasted from 1875 to 1884.
St. Stephen’s Basilica.
A Roman Catholic basilica in Budapest, Hungary. It is named in honour of Stephen, the first King of Hungary (c. 975–1038), whose right hand is housed in the reliquary. The site was the location of the Hetz-Theater, noted for hosting animal fights. János Zitterbarth of the newly formed district built a temporary church there. In the late 1810s, about a thousand people formed the Lipótváros Parish and began fundraising and making plans for the future church. During a devastating flood in 1838 the high ground here provided a measure of safe refuge to the residents, who, in thanksgiving, subsequently donated toward the construction of the church. Completed in 1905.
House of Terror.
The museum contains exhibits related to the fascist and communist dictatorial regimes in 20th century Hungary and is also a memorial to the victims of these regimes, including those detained, interrogated, tortured or killed in the building. If you only do one museum, this is the one.
Hosok Tere (Hero’s Square).
It is one of the major squares of Budapest, rich with historical and political connotations. Hősök tere is surrounded by two important buildings, Museum of Fine Arts on the left and Palace of Art (or more accurately Hall of Art) on the right.
Szecheny Baths.
The Széchenyi Medicinal Bath in Budapest (Széchenyi-gyógyfürdő) is the largest medicinal bath in Europe. Its water is supplied by two thermal springs; their temperature is 74°F/23°C and 77°F/25°C, respectively. The bath can be found in the City Park, and was built in 1913 in Neo-baroque. It is also a station of the yellow M1 (Millennium Underground) line of the Budapest Metro.
István Széchenyi, a Hungarian visionary, wore many hats: military hero, globe-trotter, and reformer. Born in 1791, he penned influential books on Hungary’s progress. Picture him galloping through enemy lines like James Bond, then advocating for modernization. When Hungarians say “the Greatest Hungarian,” they’re tipping their hats to Széchenyi.
Acquincum – remnants of a Roman town, 106 A.D.
Today at Aquincum visitors can see statues, paintings, coins, and a lot of very interesting ancient things within the walls where these artifacts were new sometime. Between remnants of houses and courtyards slender roads of yore lead to the ruins of marketplace, baths, gymnasium, and a shrine.
Elizabeth Lookout
The Elizabeth Lookout (Hungarian: Erzsébet-kilátó) is a historic lookout tower on János Hill (Hungarian: János-hegy) above Budapest. Built in 1911, the tower was named after Empress Elisabeth, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I. Frigyes Schulek was the architect. At 527 meters (1,729 ft) , János-hegy is the highest point in Budapest. Awesome view of Budapest and most of Hungary from the top
Tomb of Gül Baba
Gül Baba’s tomb in Budapest, Hungary, is the northernmost Islamic pilgrimage site in the world. The mausoleum is located in the district of Rózsadomb on Mecset Street, a short but steep walk from Margaret Bridge. Gül Baba was a member of the Bektás Dervish Order, who died in Ottoman Buda in 1541. He died during the conquest of Buda, Hungary, by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Gül Baba was declared to be the Wali (Patron saint) of the city.
House of Music
The House of Music Hungary, a unique and complex institution of musical initiation and the venue for the country’s first comprehensive exhibition presenting the history of music, opened in the City Park in January 2022. Although Hungary is famed for its musical heritage, no multi-faceted exhibition presenting the history of Hungarian music in the context of European music had been hosted in any Hungarian institution exhibition before this one. The iconic building, designed by Japanese star architect Sou Fujimoto was selected from among 170 international projects and since the announcement of the design as the winner of the architectural competition it has attracted massive attention in international professional circles. This is confirmed, for example, by the fact that in early 2021 it was listed by CNN and the World Architecture Community as one of the ten most anticipated new buildings of the year. The final result did not disappoint: a truly contemporary architectural masterpiece has come into being. Harmonizing with the environment.
Central Park
The City Park is a public park close to the center of Budapest, Hungary. It is a 0.9-by-0.6-mile rectangle, with an area of 302 acres. Szecheny bath and Vajdahunyad Vara are located in the park
Vajdahunyad Castle
A romantic castle in the City Park of Budapest, Hungary. It is a copy of Hunyad Castle, known as Corvin Castle, in Hunedoara, Romania. It was built in 1896 as part of the Millennial Exhibition which celebrated the 1,000 years of Hungary since the Hungarian Conquest of the Carpathian Basin in 895.
Margaret Island
In the Danube River, between Buda and Pest, verdant Margaret Island is a tranquil getaway within the city. Pedestrian promenades navigate around parkland, an art nouveau water tower, the ruins of a 13th-century Dominican convent, a musical fountain and a small zoo. Other attractions include jogging tracks, thermal spas and swimming pools. Summertime brings pop-up bars and restaurants, as well as live music.
Max length: 1.553 mi
Max width: 1,640′
Buda Castle
Its rich history dates back to the 14th century when it was initially constructed by King Béla IV of Hungary. However, the magnificent Baroque palace that dominates the site today was primarily built between 1749 and 1769. Over the centuries, Buda Castle has witnessed destruction, rebuilding, and alterations, including a stint as gunpowder storage during the Ottoman era. Now, it houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest Historical Museum.
Lajos Kossuth, born on September 19, 1802, in Monok, Hungary, was a Hungarian nobleman, lawyer, journalist, and statesman. His fiery oratory skills propelled him from a poor gentry family to become the governor-president of the Kingdom of Hungary during the 1848–1849 revolution. Kossuth’s powerful speeches impressed contemporaries like American orator Daniel Webster. Although his moment in power was brief, his legacy as a champion of Hungarian independence remains indelible