City highlights
Castle Palace
The first castle complex at this point on today’s castle hill, of which no building evidence can be found, was built in 1241/42.
In the 14th century, a small palace was built in its place under King Charles Robert of Anjou. King Ludwig of Anjou had this expanded after Budapest became the capital and a large palace complex was built. Over the years the palace has been changed and expanded again and again.
Heroes’ Square (Hösök tér)
In 1896 the construction of this square began on the occasion of Hungary’s millennium. It was not completely finished until 1927.
Hungarian State Opera
The magnificent neo-renaissance opera building was built between 1875 and 1884.
Great Synagogue
The synagogue in the Moorish-Byzantine style was inaugurated in 1859. The interior of the building was designed by Hungarian artists. See 800zipcodes for more about Hungary.
Special neighborhoods, squares and streets
Castle District
The Castle District on Buda Castle Hill is the most beautiful district in the whole city with its small old streets. With its mainly baroque buildings, the colorful facades and the beautiful back courtyards, which you should definitely take a look at, you feel transported back in time. Another contributing factor is that there is a car ban in almost the entire neighborhood. Most of the sights are also located in the castle district. The main attraction, besides the castle palace and the Matthias Church (see below), is the romantic fisherman’s bastion, from which one has a wonderful view over the whole city. This was built in 1896 for the millennium. It’s worth coming here early in the morning or later in the evening if you want to enjoy the beautiful view in peace and quiet without the hustle and bustle of tourists.
Rose Hill
This beautiful neighborhood is one of the city’s finest residential areas. Here is the tomb (= Türbe), an octagonal dome, built between 1543 and 1548 by Gül Baba, who died in 1541 and belonged to the Dervish order and is said to have brought rose culture to Hungary.
Mecset utca 14
Opening times: May-Sept. Tue-Sun 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Oct. Tue-Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Béla Bartók Memorial House is also in this quarter. The composer lived here before he emigrated to the USA.
II. Csalán út 29
Opening times: Tue-Sun 10: 00-17: 00
Batthyány Square (Batthyánny tér)
The most famous building on the square named after Count Lajos Batthyány is St. Anne’s Church.
Trinity Square (Szentháromság tér)
On the central square and highest point of the Burgviertel is the Matthias Church, which is beautifully reflected in the glass facade of the neighboring Hilton Hotel, which was built in 1976.
Freedom Square (Szabadság tér)
One of the most beautiful squares in the city, which was laid out at the end of the 19th century and is particularly impressive for the architecturally beautiful buildings surrounding it. The most magnificent building is the former stock exchange, a mixture of historicism and Art Nouveau. Today it houses the Hungarian State Television.
Heroes’ Square (Hösök tér) In
1896 the construction of this square began on the occasion of Hungary’s millennium. It was not completely finished until 1927. The Millennium Monument is located in the center of which the Archangel Gabriel stands on a 36 meter high column and at the foot of which the seven Hungarian tribal princes are depicted. To the left and right of the square are the Museum of Fine Arts and the art gallery.
Lajos-Kossuth-Platz (Kossuth Lajos tér)
The large square is surrounded by magnificent buildings such as the Ethnographic Museum and the Parliament Palace. On the north side there is a large monument commemorating the independence struggle of 1848.
March 15th Square (Március 15th tér)
The name of the square recalls the outbreak of the bourgeois revolution. The inner city parish church is located here.
Roosevelt Square (Roosevelt tér)
On the square named after the former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt are the monuments of Count István Széchenyis and Ferenc Déak, two famous statesmen. To the east, the magnificent Gresham Palace borders the square. The Art Nouveau building was a residential building and the seat of companies and offices for a long time. A few years ago the Hotel “Vier Jahreszeiten” (see Hotels) moved there. To the north of the square is the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (see below)
Vörösmarty Square (Vörösmarty tér)
The square in the pedestrian zone was named after the poet Mihály Vörösmarty (1800-1855). In his honor there is a monument in the middle of the square, which depicts him on a kind of throne.
Cafe Gerbaud, opened in 1858, is located on the square.
During the Advent and Christmas season, the square has been home to a remarkable Christmas market, the Karácsonyi vásár, from November 28th since 1999.
Flea market in front of the Petőfi Hall
The flea market takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There are only a few professionals among the many hundreds of dealers. Most providers are hobby sellers or poor people who want to earn extra money. The market gives those interested a good overview of the poor Budapest residents.
Zichy Mihály út 14
www.bolhapiac.com