Budapest landmarks
Budapest at night
Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities on the planet, Budapest has steadily become one of the most popular destinations in the Central European region, alongside possibly better known places such as Vienna or Prague. Located on both sides of the Danube River, it features both rolling hills on one side and a very planned, grid-like layout on the other, the entire place however exuding Hapsburg splendor through its architectural pores.
Made up of what used to actually be two cities, Buda and Pest, modern-day Budapest is a singular entity, reminiscent of Vienna to some extent, its inhabitants are charming and usually helpful, and despite its history as an ancient capital it is at the same time very modern, progressive and culturally dynamic.
Those who decide to visit Budapest for any length of time won’t be disappointed as the city offers a wide range of sightseeing and entertainment options.
There are several architectural landmarks that one must definitely see while in Hungary’s capital, including the Castle District, Heroes’ Square and of course the Budapest Parliament Building.
The Parliament Buildings
The rather monumental Parliament Building was built between 1885 and 1904 and it has become the symbol of the capital not just to its immense size, but also thanks to its very detailed decorations, both inside and out, and just its all around splendor and diversity. The building features a whopping 691 rooms, ten courtyards, twenty-seven gates, twenty-nine staircases, as well as a public library which houses more than half a million volumes.
The Castle District
The city’s castle, or palace, has seen a lot of history; its first incarnation started sometime around the middle of the 13th century and it was a fortress meant to protect the region, as the centuries passed, it has seen periods of being enlarged and then fall into disrepair, suffering severe damage during the Second World War. Nowadays however, the Palace has been restored as much as possible to its authentic architecture and is home to the National Gallery, the National Library as well as the Historical Museum.
The Heroes’ Square
Another must-see sight of Budapest, and possibly the most visited of the capital’s sights, most probably because it is a central square and it is set in front of the City Park, which itself is not something that you’ll want to miss while on a trip to Budapest.
The Square is home to the millenial monument built here in 1896 to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the settlement of Hungarians in the Carpathian basin. The monument features a variety of symbols, statues and small reliefs.
The middle of the Square is dominated by a thirty-six meter high Corinthian column which features a statue of the Archangel Gabriel at its top, with the equestrian statues at its bottom commemorating Arpad and the seven chieftains of the ancient Hungarian tribes who settled here.
