Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary, on the river Danube. Budapest is located in the lowlands of the Carpathian basin bounded by the Carpathian Mountains, the Alps and the South Slavonic’s chain. Budapest is the major transport hub of the country with the International Airport. About one-fifth of the population of Hungary (about 2.2 million) lives in Budapest. The nationality is — Hungarian, the language is — Hungarian, the currency is — Hungarian Forint (HUF). Budapest takes the ninth place in European Union.
Budapest is located on both banks of the
Danube. The Danube crosses the city from the north to the south, and divides
Budapest on Pest and Buda. Budapest consists of three historically parts: Pest, Buda and Óbuda, in January 1872 united in one city.
The Danube’s
banks are connected with eight bridges. In Budapest, there are two railways and
seven road bridges. Each of them is a unique architectural work. The oldest
bridge is - Landskhid (translated from the Hungarian «Chain
Bridge»), which was built in 1849. Landskhid was the first
bridge across the river and once it was one of the largest bridges in the
world.
Landskhid
Bridge is also known as a «Bridge Széchenyi». This name comes
after the Hungarian politics, Count István Széchenyi. The bridge was designed
by the British engineer William Tierney Clark. Landskhid was broken after explosion in the Second World War, during the capture of Budapest. By
1949, the bridge was restored and reopened. Now it is one of the most famous
sights of Budapest.
Within Budapest on the Danube there are seven
islands Hayodyari Sighet, Margit and Csepel (part of the district XXI), Palotai
(actually - Peninsula) Nepsiget, Harosh-Sighet and Molnar-Sziget, they are
considered to be the regions №
3 and 13.
One of the
attractions of the capital in the center of Budapest on the Danube is Margaret
Island (Margit-sziget) its length is — 2, 5 km, maximum width is — 500 m. The
island is a popular holiday destination, for both citizens and tourists, where
they can find one of the most beautiful parks of Budapest. Musical fountain,
water tower, rock garden and the ruins of the ancient monastery, where the
beautiful Margarita was living, all this attractions you may find in
the Park Margate. Coming here you may walk along the shady alleys, or lie down
on the velvet lawns under the two hundred years
plane trees. You may also swim in the large pool of «Palatinus»
or visit the closed thermal bathhouse (at the hotels)
and a aqua park with a great summer surf swimming pool, mini-geysers,
underwater and above-water massage, and even a
water running track, which rushes you around the circle at great speed. You may move around the island only on foot or by
bicycle (trishaw), which no doubt will make good improvements on your health.Hungary is — a country of numerous classical music festivals that take place all the year round across the country. The most famous of the festivals is — Verdi Festival in Budapest, which is held in January.
Budapest takes a great
part in the life of the country. It is not only the
political but also the largest industrial and commercial center. The capital of
Hungary is extremely rich in architectural monuments. Here you may find a lot
of artistic, historical, exhibition halls and galleries.
The symbol of the city is the
magnificent building of the parliament, which was built at the beginning of the
century. After seven years of the unification of Buda, Pest and Óbuda, the
National Assembly decided to build the parliament building to emphasize the
sovereign right of the Hungarian nation. The architect was Imre Shteyndl, who
won the competition in building of the Parlament, and the work began from 1885
to 1906. Not far from the bank of the Danube river and the Parliament, the
Freedom Square (Szabadság tér) is situated, where you can find the buildings of
the Hungarian Radio and Television Company, the U.S. Embassy and the National
Bank. In the center is a monument to Soviet Army soldiers who fell during the
liberation of Budapest from the Nazis.
Also the prides of Budapest are
beautiful architectural monuments of the XVIII-XIX centuries, the Gothic
Cathedral of Matthias, University Church, and the National Museum etc. The
collection of the Budapest Museum is world famous. The Museum of Fine Arts has
the exhibition of such famous painters as Raphael, Botticelli, El Greco,
Velasquez and Rembrandt. Website: http://www.szepmuveszeti.hu/main
One
of the main squares of Budapest is — Heroes' Square (Hősök tere), which
is located at the end of Andrassy Avenue, next to the city park. The city park
— is one of the largest and most famous parks of Budapest. Here you may find
the main attractions of the park, such as: the Zoo
and Botanical garden, http://www.zoobudapest.com/en, the Metropolitan Circus, Amusement Park
("Vidampark") and well-known bathhouse Széchenyi-gyógyfürdő, where
from the deep of 1250 m. spring the water up to the surface of the thermal pool
with the temperature of 76 ° C, which not only makes a pleasant swimming in the
cold season, but also can help with rheumatic diseases, arthritis and neuritis.
Another very interesting sight of the City Park is the «Vajdahunyad»
Castle. First it was made of wood and cardboard in 1896 for celebration
the millennium of the Hungarian tribes came to the Carpathian basin and became
the reflection of the historical past of the country. Today you may find in
this Castle the famous Farm Museum, which is a godsend for agronomists. The
man-made lake in front of the castle is a great place for those who are boating
enthusiasts in summer time, and for ice-skating enthusiasts in winter time.
The center of city is a real jewelry for
tourists. Not far from the crowded Vörösmarty Square, if you are sweet-teeth,
you may find very famous old confectionery Gerbeaud with its delicious cakes.
Hence you may get acquainted with the heart and soul of the city, Vaci street
(Váci utca) — the first pedestrian street in Budapest. Its southern part is
occupied by shops, and the northern part by restaurants, bars and cafes. It is
the commercial and social center of the city, the life here is in not stop
rhythm for 24 hours. The name of this famous street took after the town Vac.
Once it was the site of road connecting Pest with Vatsem, located 40 km north
from the capital. The Korzo —
Danube Embankment is situated very close from Vaci Street, where you
can enjoy the views of the illuminated bridges and views of Buda in the
evening.
We also advise you to visit the Castle
Hill (Castle District), especially during the «Palinka
Festival» in October. In this area are also
located the Royal Palace, the National Gallery, the National Library, the
Museum of Budapest, Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion, Labyrinth, House of
Hungarian wines and the funicular. You will never be bored in such wonderful
city; we wish you good luck and new unforgettable findings!
