Budapest is the capital of Hungary, located on the Danube River. The city is divided into two parts: Buda and Pest. You can take the funicular up Castle Hill to the Old Town of Buda, and Fishermen’s Bastion offers sweeping views of the river and the city.
St. Stephen’s Basilica
St Stephen’s Basilica is one of the most important and renowned churches in Budapest. It was built in the Neo-Classical style, and it is one of the largest religious buildings in Hungary.
The interior is covered with paintings, sculptures, stained glass, mosaics and frescoes. Some of the famous Hungarian artists of the 20th century have their works exhibited here. There are two bell towers at the facade of the basilica. One of them is the tallest in Budapest.
Saint Stephen’s Basilica has an elaborate Greek cross ground plan. It is made of red and black marble. Its dome is painted in a beautiful design. This cathedral is considered the most sacred Catholic church in Hungary.
It was constructed by Miklos Ybl, who was the most famous Hungarian architect at the time. He changed the classical style to a more Neo-Renaissance solution.
Szechenyi Chain Bridge
The Szechenyi Chain Bridge is one of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks. It connects the western and eastern sides of the city. As such, it has become an important part of Budapest’s cultural heritage.
The Szechenyi Chain Bridge was originally built between 1839 and 1849. It is the first permanent bridge linking Buda and Pest. Count Stephen Szechenyi provided the funding to build it. He offered a year’s income for the completion of the project.
After the German army blew up the bridge during World War II, it was rebuilt. However, significant corrosion has damaged the deck system of the bridge. In order to assess the structural integrity of the bridge, an extensive analysis was carried out.
Corrosion protection of the bridge was considered urgently needed. Therefore, on-site measurements and probabilistic analysis of the chain elements were carried out.
Szechenyi Island in the Danube
Budapest is home to several famous medicinal baths. The Szechenyi Bath is one of them. This bath has the biggest thermal pools in Europe. It is a great way to spend the day.
The Szechenyi thermal bath contains calcium, magnesium, and fluoride. The water temperature varies from 74 °C to 77 °C. The hot spring water is said to soothe arthritis and joint diseases.
Another well known Budapest bath is the Gelert baths. These baths add healing minerals to the water, making them effective in curing back pain and arthritis. There are three outdoor swimming pools, as well as 15 indoor pools. They are not temperature regulated, meaning you can swim in them anytime you like.
Margaret Island is another interesting place to visit. Located in the middle of the Danube, the island is surrounded by large landscaped parks. You can reach this island by tram or boat.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Aside from a number of other world famous sights, Budapest is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As of this date, Hungary has eight sites on the list, which is a group of cultural, natural and historical sites.
UNESCO’s World Heritage List includes many important architectural and natural monuments. It aims to preserve these landmarks and protect their special historic and cultural significance.
The earliest site inscribed on the World Heritage List was the Banks of the Danube and Buda Castle district in 1987. In 2002, the Andrassy Avenue was added to the list. This is a major boulevard that was named after the former Prime Minister Gyula Andrassy.
Another important site in the Budapest area is the New Main Street. Built as part of a recent redevelopment project, this street is a pedestrianized and cafe-lined thoroughfare that shows off a contemporary face of the city.
Arts and culture in Budapest
Budapest is a city that has an impressive cultural legacy. It has preserved its identity over the centuries and is considered to be a cultural hub in Europe. Aside from its famous art scene, Budapest has a rich music and theatre scene. The city is also home to a number of museums.
One of the most important museums in Budapest is the Museum of Fine Arts. This art gallery houses one of the largest collections of Old Masters in Europe. There are six excellent departments within the museum.
Another museum worth visiting is the Petofi Sandor Museum. Named after the great Hungarian poet, the museum has an extensive collection of Hungarian literary works. It also has interactive features and an exhibit about the classical Hungarian literary heritage.