Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary, home to over 1.7 million inhabitants. This is also the main political, economic and cultural center of the country.
Budapest is a city with a long history. The settlement existed as early as the time of the Roman Empire under the name Aquincum. During the Middle Ages, Buda and Pest were two completely separate entities. The court of the Hungarian kings was located in Buda. With the Ottoman conquest of Hungary, Pest was neglected, while Buda continued its development under the new ruler. The merger of these units took place in the middle of the nineteenth century, and from then on the development of modern Budapest began. Today, the city is divided into 23 districts, and Buda and Pest somehow continued to exist separately, because they are separated by the mighty Danube River, which passes through here.
In Budapest, as in the rest of Hungary, a continental climate prevails, with cold winters and warm and pleasant summers.
Budapest is a very popular tourist destination, with numerous attractions and cultural-historical monuments.
Tourist attractions in Budapest are:
• Vaci Street is the most beautiful pedestrian shopping street in the world. It is adorned with expensive shops, boutiques, restaurants and cafes. There are also numerous historical buildings and monuments that are among the most beautiful in Europe.
• Radai Street is known for its numerous bars, cafes and restaurants. It is a favorite place to go out on weekends
• Szabadsag hid , or Freedom Bridge, is one of the symbols of Budapest. The bridge was built in the period from 1894 to 1896, and was renovated several times. It is 333.6 meters long, and as such is the shortest bridge in the city . It connects two historical entities, Buda and Pest.
• Heroes’ Square is the largest and most impressive square in Budapest. The monument with a forty-meter high column was erected in 1896 to commemorate the 1,000-year history of the Hungarians. That is why the monument is called the Millennium Monument. On the north side of the square is the Museum of Fine Arts, and on the south side is the Kunsthalle, a hall for contemporary art exhibitions.
• Gellert Hill is 140 meters high and rises above the Danube in Buda It is named after Bishop Gellert, who was thrown from the hill by pagans. At the top is the Citadel, as well as Budapest’s Statue of Liberty. The hill offers one of the most beautiful views in the city.
• Fisherman’s Wall is a fortress that got its name from the large fish market that was located there during the Middle Ages It was built in 1890, and today it is one of the city’s main attractions.
• The chain bridge is the first bridge built to connect Buda and Pest. It was built in 1849, and at that time it was considered one of the wonders of the world. There is a wonderful view from the bridge.
• The Castle District is visible from all sides of Budapest. It is made up of beautiful buildings and cobbled streets. The central square of the Holy Trinity is filled every day with numerous tourists visiting the Matthias Church.
• The Royal Palace is a baroque palace built in the eighteenth century. It lies on the foundations of the famous medieval palace, built in the period from the thirteenth to the sixteenth century, destroyed in the battles with the Turks. Today, the Royal Palace is home to the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum and the National Library.
• The Great Synagogue in Dohany Street is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world. It can accommodate close to 3,000 believers. It was built in the period from 1854-1859 . Today it is the center of the Jewish community in Hungary.
• Andrassy Avenue is 2.5 km long and connects the city park with the city center. The avenue is on the UNESCO list of world heritage sites, and its other name is the Champs-Elysées of Budapest. There is also the Opera House, as well as the best Pesta theaters and the Music Academy. • Andrassy Avenue is wonderful for walking and looking at old buildings
• City Park is an ideal place to escape from the noise of the city. . There is also Vajdahunyad Castle, built in several styles Next to the castle there is a lake that turns into a skating rink during the winter.
• The Danube Quay stretches from the Elizabeth Bridge to the Chain Bridge, and offers a wonderful view of the Royal Palace and the Vigadó Concert Hall.
• The Parliament in Budapest is one of the most beautiful examples of neo-Gothic architecture. This is the third largest Parliament building in the world, and is one of the most recognizable symbols of Budapest.
• St. Stephen’s Basilica was built over fifty years, in the period from 1851 to 1906. . Dedicated to Stefan, the first king of Hungary. The dome of the Basilica offers a beautiful view of Budapest.
• Hungaroring is the track where Formula 1 races are held. This is one of the most important tracks on the calendar of this competition.
• The Millennium Underground is the first metro line in Europe, opened in 1896 . It is still in use, and since 2002 it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• In Budapest, there is the largest wine cellar in Europe, which offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the most beautiful wines. There are also numerous restaurants, which offer the best traditional Hungarian dishes. Numerous cafes and night clubs are ideal places for a perfect and unforgettable time in the capital of Hungary.
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