WELCOME ΤΟBudapest

One of the most outstanding examples of Hungarian eclecticism, the Fisherman's Bastion is located in the Buda Castle District. The edifice is an important part of the cityscape and has been a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE since 1987. It’s worth taking a walk along its 140 meter long facade to enjoy the spectacular views of the city. The neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque structure took nearly twenty years to complete. It was opened to the public in 1902. The terrace has seven towers that represent the seven Magyar tribes that founded Hungary and the bastion houses an equestrian statue of Stephen I. The original purpose of the Fisherman’s Bastion was defense, as part of the Buda Castle wall. The bastion was named after the Fishermen’s Town lying beneath and when necessary, the fishermen living here defended the tower. Besides becoming one of Budapest’s most visited tourist attractions over time, the edifice is also a popular filming location: it features, for example, in music videos by two world-famous singers, Ellie Goulding and Selena Gomez. Just a few steps from the Fisherman’s Bastion is Matthias Church, which also functioned as a coronation site. You just have to climb 197 stairs to get to the wreath-shaped balcony of the church tower.

The Hungarian Parliament, also known as the Budapest Parliament, has become one of the city’s main symbols. It is also one of the best-known structures in Europe. It is the third largest assembly building in the world, after the Parliament of Romania and the National Congress of Argentina. Founded between 1884 and 1902, the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary was the biggest building of its time. It has 691 rooms and is 268 m long and 123 m wide. The main façade overlooks the River Danube, but the official main entrance is from the square on the east side of the building. The façade displays statues of Hungarian rulers, Transylvanian leaders and famous military figures. The coats of arms of kings and dukes are depicted over the windows. The east stairs are flanked by two lions. One of the famous parts of the building is the hexadecagon (sixteen-sided) central hall, with huge chambers adjoining it: the Lower House and the Upper House. The modern National Assembly is unicameral and meets in the Lower House, while the Upper House is used as a conference and meeting room. The Holy Crown of Hungary, which is also depicted in the coat of arms of Hungary, has been displayed in the central hall since 2000.

On the banks of the Danube River in Budapest, not far from the Hungarian Parliament building, sit sixty pairs of old-fashioned shoes, the type people wore in the 1940s. There are women's shoes, there are men's shoes and there are children's shoes. They sit at the edge of the water, scattered and abandoned, as though their owners had just stepped out of them and left them there. If you look more closely, you see that the shoes are rusted, made of iron and set into the concrete of the embankment. They are a memorial and a monument to the Hungarian Jews who, in the winter of 1944-1945, were shot on the banks of the Danube River by the members of the Arrow Cross Party. Known as "The Shoes on the Danube Promenade", the memorial was conceptualized by film director Can Togay, and was created by Togay together with the sculptor Gyula Pauer. It was installed on the Pest bank of the Danube River in Budapest in 2005. At three separate places on the memorial, cast iron signs read in Hungarian, English and Hebrew: "To the memory of victims shot into the Danube by Arrow Cross militiamen in 1944-45."

St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest is one of the largest religious buildings in Hungary, where it's said the basilica can hold over 8,500 people inside it. The Name of St. Stephen's Basilica was given this name in memory of Stephen I of Hungary (975-1038), the country’s first king. The temple houses the Holy Right Hand of St. Stephen, one of Hungary’s most sacred relics. The dimensions of the church are extremely impressive; it is 55 m wide and 87 m long. The dome stands 96 m tall, making it the highest building in Hungary’s capital, along with the Hungarian Parliament building. The construction of St. Stephen’s Basilica was completed in 1905. It took over half a century to build, partly because the dome collapsed in 1868, due to inadequate construction works. Visitors can climb to the top of the church’s right tower, where there is an impressive observation deck with beautiful views over Budapest.