When it went up in 1854, the Citadella was the most despised structure in the city. The Austrians built this fortress on Gellért Hill to keep Budapest under their thumb and prevent a repeat of the 1848 Revolution. When the imperial army withdrew from the fortress, the Hungarians made symbolic breaks in the walls to show that the building was no longer a threat. Rising above the Citadella is the 14m-tall Liberation Monument. The inscription, which once paid tribute to the Soviet Red Army, has been historically sanitised for your protection: it now honours those who laid down their lives for 'Hungary's prosperity'. Admission: 300 Ft.
Choreographed Communist demonstrations on Heroes' Square once projected the power of the working class. Today, choreographed skateboard demonstrations display the agility of the local skate rats. The Millennial Monument here was erected to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the Hungarians' settlement of the Carpathian Basin. Atop the 36m-tall column stands the Archangel Gabriel, who supposedly appeared to King St. Stephen in a dream and offered him the crown of Hungary. (Dreams do come true...) The seven chieftains at the foot of the column represent the seven Magyar tribes that settled in Hungary in the ninth century. The Hungarian War Memorial stands in front of the monument - not a tomb, although it's shaped like one.
Completed in 1884, the neo-Renaissance opera is impressive enough on the outside. But its interior is the part that's breathtaking - gilt and marble, with lavish and intricate frescos. The auditorium was designed by eminent architect Miklós Ybl and decorated by some of the most distinguished painters of the age. If you're coming to see the building, and not an opera, take the tour: head for the right-hand entrance near the buxom sphinx. If you'd like to see an opera, check our Entertainment section for the schedule. Daily tours in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian or Hungarian (Dutch, Serbian or Croatian available upon request) at 15:00 and 16:00.
In 1902, after a mere 17 years of construction, Hungary presented itself with what was then the largest parliament building in the world. An architectural echo of the Houses of Parliament of London, this neo-Gothic edifice expressed the country's robust self-confidence at the beginning of the 20th century. Since WWII, when Hungary's House of Lords was abolished, members of Parliament have convened only in the southern wing of the building. During the communist era, they convened hardly at all - only eight days a year, in fact, to rubber-stamp the laws drawn up by the Party. Parliament is fronted by several monuments to the nation's lost struggles: the wars for independence in 1703, 1848 and again in 1956. The cars in front of parliament mark the lost struggle for parking space in Budapest. Parliament also contains the crown jewels of Hungary - the Holy Crown and the Coronation Insignia, which were worn by Hungarian kings since the Middle Ages. At the end of WWII, these regalia were spirited out of the country and ended up in the United States, not to be returned until 1978. For the guided tours show up a few minutes early at Gate X, just right of the main stairs. The parliament building is chained off here, but a guard or tour guide should let you in to buy a ticket. Tickets are not sold in advance, and no tours are given when ceremonial events or sessions of parliament are taking place. Phone: (+36-1) 441 40 00
Here, in the mid-13th century, a palace was built for the kings of Hungary. It was reconstructed in glorious Renaissance style by King Matthias. But during the Turkish occupation, the building was neglected, and during the siege of 1686 it was completely destroyed. The Habsburg monarchs rebuilt the Royal Palace on this site but never occupied it for long, preferring to remain in Vienna. Between the two world wars the regent, Admiral Horthy, resided in the Palace. It was destroyed in the siege of Budapest and remained in ruins for decades. Today there are no royal residences left to visit: instead, the palace is home to several state museums and the National Library.
The Cave Church of Gellért Hill was founded in 1924 following a pilgrimage of Pauline monks to Lourdes. The chapel was consecrated on Whit Sunday 1926, and Pauline monks performed their duties here for 17 years. At midnight on Easter Monday 1951, the Hungarian secret police (IVH) broke into the chapel, arresting the entire order. The superior Ferenc Vezér was condemned to death, the others condemned to five to 10-year prison sentences, and the chapel blocked up with a 2.25m-thick concrete wall. It was not until August 27, 1989, that the chapel was reopened, although the demolition of the concrete wall was not finished until 1992. The revived Pauline Order now counts some 10 friars. Services 11:00, 16:30, 20:00. Sun 08:30, 11:00, 17:00, 20:00 (in Hungarian). Tourist visits not allowed during services. Phone: (+36-1) 385 15 29 Open: 09:00-20:00
You'd never guess by looking at this church that it`s the oldest building in Pest. The original 12th century Roman-style church was largely destroyed in the Tartar invasion; its 14th century Gothic replacement was seized by the Turks and converted into a mosque. After WWII the church was again threatened, this time by Hungarian authorities: it was slated for destruction to facilitate the reconstruction of Elisabeth Bridge. Fortunately, in the end the bridge was re-routed around the church - just barely. Services 12:00, 17:30, Sun 08:30, 10:00 (in Latin), 12:00, 18:00. Phone: (+36-1) 318 31 08 Open: 08:00-19:00
When it was built in 1809, this neo-Classical building initially served as a warehouse for military uniforms. Two years later, it was converted into a church. At that time - believe it or not - this site was on the outskirts of town. Although most of the interior is unadorned in keeping with Protestant tradition, the altar is backed by an impressive replica of Raphael's Transfiguration. An imposing double-decker gallery rounds out the rear of the church.The church can be seen during services, or as part of a visit to the next-door National Lutheran Museum, V. Deák tér 4, tel. 317 41 73. Open 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon. Admission: 300 Ft.
The 13th century Matthias Church was renamed for the king who rebuilt it in 1470. It has witnessed significant events, including the marriage of King Matthias and the crownings of Franz Josef I and Charles IV. King Béla III and his wife are buried in the Holy Trinity Chapel here. The Turks whitewashed the Christian frescoes on the church's walls and turned the building into a mosque. The church was severely damaged when the Turks were driven out in 1686. It was again ravaged in WWII and not fully restored until 1968. The church's distinctive Gothic tower soars 80m high. Between the church and Fishermen's Bastion stands a statue of St. Stephen, founder of the Hungarian state. Phone: (+36-1) 355 56 57 Open: 09.00-17:00 except: Saturday: 09:00-13:00 Sunday: 13:00-17:00 Admission: 300 Ft.
After admiring the panorama from Church Hill, take a look inside this church, Szentendre's oldest. It was built in the 13th century; the current Baroque structure dates back to the 18th century. The old iron stake jutting out above and left of the entrance is actually part of a medieval sundial. Inside is displayed an 18th century banner of Catholic Dalmatians. Phone: 06-26 312 545 (parish offices)
This church, the city's largest, was built on the site of the unholy 'Prank Theatre,' an animal-cruelty extravaganza in which bears, wolves and hyenas tore each other to shreds while bloodthirsty crowds egged them on. Construction of the Basilica began in 1851 but was not completed until 1905, because the dome caved in. If you're reading this inside the church and are now casting a wary eye upward, concentrate instead on the fact that the dome is exactly as tall as that of Parliament - 96m. The church contains the mummified right hand of King St. Stephen, founder of the Hungarian state. To see this relic, head to the chapel to the left of the main altar. Drop 100 Ft in the slot, and the glass case lights up to reveal this celebrated extremity in all its gnarled brown glory. The price is the same whether you've come to venerate a holy relic or merely to indulge your morbid curiosity. To get to the viewing platform above the cupola, take the elevator up, then scale 146 more steps - great views of Budapest. Phone: (+36-1) 317 28 59 Open: 09:00-19:00
The largest green belt expanse ont he Pest side, a favoured place for family outings, weekend entertainment and those looking for the tranquillity of nature. After draining and planting trees across this marshy area (centuries early a royal hunting domain), an English-style park was established here in the 19th century. Towards the end of the century magnificent buildings and monuments (Museum of Fine Arts, Palace of Arts, Millenium memorial, Vajdahunyad Castle) were erected for celebrations marking the thousandth anniversary of the Magyar Conquest. City Park offers entertainment of all kinds and for all generations: Funfair, Zool, Grand Circus, museums, spa bath, boating lake and skating rink.
The historical monuments on this slender island running between Árpád Bridge and Margaret Budge date back to the 11th century. The capital?s most beauriful park is on the island, and visitors strolling around come acroos a variety of interesting structures (the UNESCO-protected Water Tower, musical wll, Open-air Stage, Church of St. Michael) and ruins several centuries old (nunnery where Margaret, daughter of King Béla IV lived, and the remains of two churches belonging to religious orders). And there is still more: swimming pools, two hotels and a variety of restaurants and buffets.
The hilly area between Gellért Hill and Castle Hill is steeped in history. Today its extensive park and a few old buildings bear witness to the life this one-time centre enjoyed. Celts and Romans settled here, and its thermal sprins propted the Turks to establish baths here (the Rudas and Rác thermal baths of today). From the 17th century Serb, Greek and Roma refugees lived in its small streets. The arcaded terraces of Castle Garden (Várkert) standing at the foot of Tabán and looking out onto the Danube was designed by Miklós Ybl, foremost Hungarian architect of the 19th century. Today open-air festivals and concerts are regularly staged in Tabán.
A popular excursion destination for Budapesters and toursits due to its attractive park and superb panoramas from the viewing terraces. The sights ont he hill recall individual periods in history: the statue of Bishop St. Gellért that of pagan times, the Citadel that of Habsburg oppression after the 1848-49 War of Independence, and the Liberty Monument towering over the city the period after the Second World Var. The Cave Church (south side of the hill) opened in 1926 and built ont he Lourdes pattern was reopened in 1989.
A mecca for nature lovers and excursionists, the Buda Hills (400-500 m) lie to the northwest of the city centre and offervisitors excellent air and endless forests with well marked tourist trails. In addition to walking and cycling, the most popular means of getting around for tourists include the cogwhell railway (from Szilágyi Erzsébet Avenue to Széchenyi Hill), the narrowgauge railway which is operated by children (from Széchenyi Hill via János Hill to Hűvösvölgy), and the chair-lift running up and down János Hill, which when the weather is fine offers a breathtaking panorama of the city.
The Great Synagogue is the gateway to what was once a sizable Jewish quarter in the heart of Budapest, in District VII. In the early part of the century, roughly half of this area's residents were Jewish. During the German occupation in 1944, part of this district - the area between Dohiny utca, Király utca and Erzsébet körút - was walled off and turned into a ghetto, where about 70,000 were confined under brutal conditions. This ghetto was the only one in Europe to be spared total liquidation - in this instance the arrival of the Red Army really did mean a liberation.You might notice that the synagogue at C-3, Rumbach Sebestyén u. 11-13, bears the same striped orange-and-yellow motif as the Great Synagogue. In fact, it was not so much a relative as a rival: the Rumbach Sebestyén utca synagogue was built in 1872 for those who were too traditional to attend the Great Synagogue. The Rumbach Sebestyén utca synagogue has been closed since 1944; what it will be used for in the future is unclear. Its owner, the Hungarian state, hopes to find a suitable buyer. One previous suggestion was to turn the building into a theatre. The Jewish community had hoped, with state funding, to open a Holocaust museum here, but the state has instead designated a synagogue on Páva utca (in far-away District IX) for that purpose. Another synagogue, this one Orthodox, stands at C/D-3, VII. Kazinczy utca 29-31. It was built in 1913. Enter at VII. Dob u. 35 and you`ll find an old huppah (wedding canopy).
Completed in 1859, this synagogue is the second largest in the world (the largest being in New York). The onion domes are strikingly Oriental-Byzantine, as is the facade: the patterns in the brickwork were inspired by ancient ruins in the Middle East. But for all its exoticism, the design also expresses 19th century Hungarian Jews' aspirations toward assimilation. The twin towers, for instance, evoke church steeples, and the organ inside the synagogue is a clear cosncession to Christian tradition (one that provoked spirited opposition from Orthodox Jews). During WWII, the Germans turned the synagogue into a detention camp. Some of the 3,000 Jews who did not survive the privations of the ghetto are buried in the adjoining courtyard. One ticket entitles you to see the synagogue and the adjacent Jewish Museum (see below), which has the same hours. For more information, contact the Jewish Information Center at VII. Síp u. 12, tel. 342 13 35/343 04 20. Open: 10:00-17:00, Fri: 10:00-14:00, Sat: Closed, Sun: 10:00-14:00
The museum displays items from the 18th and 19th centuries, from both Hungary and abroad, grouped according to the holiday or occasion on which they were used. In 1993 almost the entire collection was stolen (it was later recovered in Romania). One of the most notable items is a Chevra book from Nagykanizsa, dating back to 1792. At the end of the exhibition, in a room draped in black, photos and clippings document the insanity of the Holocaust in Hungary. The site of the museum was the birthplace of Theodor Herzl (1860-1904), father of Zionism. Admission: 600 Ft (synagogue and museum). Phone: 342-8949 Open: 10:00-17:00, Fri: 10:00-14:00, Sat: Closed, Sun: 10:00-14:00
Buda's small synagogue was built in 1364, some 80 years prior to the erection of the Jewish community's main temple of worship. Closed by the authorities in 1686, it served as a private apartment until 1964-65, when the street was renovated and 14th century inscriptions of the Star of David were uncovered beneath the plaster. The synagogue is a small museum today; its exhibits include medieval Jewish tombstones. Phone: 225-7815 Open: 10:00-18:00, Mon: Closed
