Budapest - Cultural Capital

Description:

The monumental building of the St. Stephen's Basilica completed in 1905 after 50 years of construction is the largest Roman Catholic Church of the city, named after Hungary's first king St. Stephen who was later canonized for converting the once pagan nation to Catholicism. With such a lengthy construction period, the Basilica saw three consecutive architects explaining its architectural diversity; predominantly neo-Renaissance exterior with a hint of Classical, and an ornate neo-Baroque interior. The central dome being 96 meters high makes the Basilica the tallest building of the city, alongside the House of Parliament whose central dome also measures the same height. It is not just its size that makes the Basilica one of the most impressive religious building s of the country; the marble and golden interior with mosaics depicting biblical scenes and stain glass windows illustrating scenes from the life of Christ all contribute to its grandeur. One of its smaller chapels, the Chapel of the Holy Right Hand, houses something of interest for the morbidly curious: St. Stephen's mummified holy right hand. It is on exhibit in a golden shrine that needs illuminating by two 100ft coins. You... read more

Description:

This small, cute museum is not to be confused with the Postage Stamp museum. Instead, this exhibit features two post offices as they looked at the turn of the century, along with some old equipment including delivery vehicles. It is definite must-see for those interested in the postal system. It is also a very quaint and original little bit of historical fun.

Our Local Expert Says:

The so-called Champs Elysses of Budapest, perhaps the most glamorous address on the Pest side. Home to the Opera, Zenga, and Louis Vuitton.

Description:

No trip to Budapest is complete without a stroll down the historic Andrássy út or Andrássy Avenue. Often referred to as the Champ d'Illysees of Budapest, the avenue dates back to 1872, when it was created to span from Erzsébet tér (Elizabeth Square) to Városliget (City Park). When walking from the lower end, you will pass numerous buildings with eclectic Neo-renaissance facades. Many upscale designer boutiques have opened a shop on this tree-lined avenue, so you can window shop at Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Gucci, and Roberto Cavalli as well as others. For the 1896 Millennium celebration, the Yellow metro line was built. City officials at the time were concerned that too many horse and carriages would destroy the avenue. The Yellow metro is the first subway in continental Europe and only the second in the world after London. Once past Oktogon, the avenue expands into a boulevard where it is most obvious why it earned a World Heritage Site designation.

Description:

The first president of the Academy of Music was none other than Ferenc Liszt himself. As well as being a place of study, it is also a performance venue. The Grand Hall (noted for its excellent acoustics) has a capacity of 1200 while the chamber hall seats around 400. The building itself is a masterpiece of art nouveau architecture (completed in 1907), but most of it's design marvels are on the inside - buy a ticket to a performance so you can sit back and enjoy both the music and the architecture.

Our Local Expert Says:

Modest but touching museum: a journey back in time!

Description:

This modest museum is located inside the former home of composer Ferenc Liszt, a four-room apartment in which he lived every winter for six years until his death in 1886. It provides an insight into the composer's life trough the preserved bedroom and office, dining room and sitting room with Liszt's original furniture and belongings. The rest of the building is the former Academy of Music, founded by the composer himself, having been moved since and now located on the far end of Ferenc Liszt Square, just off the Andrássy Avenue.

The museum displays several of the composer's pianos, including Beethoven's own piano, given to Liszt as a gift, a child's Bachmann piano and two Chickering & Sons grand pianos. Piano concerts are held here weekly on Saturdays at 11am, although the museum is closed much of July and August.

Further points of interest include the portraits of Liszt by the leading Austrian and Hungarian artists of the time, plus two busts by the Hungarian sculptor Alajos Stróbl.

Our Local Expert Says:

The museum provides a journey back in time, being located inside the largely unaltered former home of the Hungarian composer!

Description:

This museum located inside the former home of Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly, a tribute to one of the most important workshops of Hungarian music history, was inhabited by the composer until his death in 1916, and has been open to visitors ever since 1990. Kodaly is famous for his studies on Hungarian folk music with Bela Bartok, another famous Hungarian composer, whom he travelled the country with, making some 16,000 recordings (on wax cylinders) of Hungarian folk music.

It is located along the grand Andrássy Avenue, just after the Kodaly Circus named after him, easily recognizable from the commemorative plaque with his name inscripted on it on the outer wall. It remains largely unaltered with his furniture and personal belongings, as well as folk objects and manuscripts.

The museum is open from 10am to 4pm on Wednesdays, 10am to 6pm from Thursday to Saturday, and from 10am to 2pm on Sundays.

Description:

This small museum offers you the chance to visit one of the beautiful villas on this street. Unfortunately, the inside has been completely remodelled to display the personal collection of Rath Gyorgy but it's definitely worth stepping into. Rath Gyorgy was the first director of the Fine Arts museum and, like many in his day, he had a passion for Japanese and Chinese objects. These items are clearly displayed inside the building that used to be his home. Guides are available in English, German, Hungarian and - believe it or not- Mongolian.

Our Local Expert Says:

Worth visiting on Thursday evening, when this museum features extended hours, live jazz, and unique English language tours. An enormous building modeled upon an actual Greek temple, it boasts one of the finest collections of Egyptian art in existence.

Description:

Directly to the left of Heroes Square is the Fine Arts Museum (Szépművészeti Múzeum), completed in 1906. It is an eclectic-neoclassical style adorned with three Greek temples connected by colonnades between; each representative of different muses of culture and relaxation. The Fine Arts Museum contains international art; it has the largest Spanish collection outside of Spain. In addition, there are over 3,000 paintings, 10,000 drawings, and 100,000 prints within the 8 different collections.

Our Local Expert Says:

A unique gallery with no permanent collections but temporary exhibitions! The downstairs café has great sandwiches and sparkling clean restrooms within a stone's throw from Hero's Square.

Description:

This massive building stands majestically on Hosok tere (Hero's Square). Huge columns and a lavish façade mark its impressive entrance. Inside, you will find a range of exhibits (which change fairly frequently) of photography and fine and applied arts. The work is by both Hungarian and foreign artists. Many people come here just to admire the beautiful building itself.

Our Local Expert Says:

This ship is the hot spot for Reggae music, Dance Hall and Dub Step, hosting a huge variety of local and international artists. There’s a great feel to partying on a docked ship below the deck, or enjoying the gorgeous view of the river and illuminated city from the top deck. This is the way to make the most of Budapest’s natural assets and nightlife all at once!

Description:

Looking out for a new and unique place to groove and let your hair down? Then A38 is the spot you should head to. This is a night club which has been built on a ship and is today the hottest club in Hungary. With international music to awaken your mind, it would be difficult for you to stop swinging as you enjoy your cruise on the Danube. That's not all. This four-storey house of revelry has a club, a roof terrace, a lounge and a restaurant. Gear up with a variety of beers and cocktails and dance as you experience a new flavor of Budapest nightlife.

Our Local Expert Says:

Tops a short-list of "must-see" architecture in Budapest; strongly recommended. English language tours daily at 10, 12, and 2. Reservations are essential, particularly as there are new security regulations due to recent political troubles.

Description:

The Hungarian House of Parliament designed by Imre Steindl stands 96 meters tall, reminding the nation of the glorious year of the Hungarian Conquest in 896, symbolizing the grandeur of the Habsburg Empire to this day. Its design is similar to the Palace of Westminster in London and is the second largest parliament building in Europe. Taking part in one of the scheduled tours around the building, you will be led up the magnificent staircase where a dome hovers over a 16-sided hallway and statues of Hungarian rulers ornament each of the sides. Here you will also be privy to viewing the legendary St. Stephen's crown that was kept at the U.S. Pentagon for safety during World War II. The dazzling stain glass windows are the work of the famous Hungarian artist, Miksa Róth.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is the rout you will most likely take when walking towards the Nyugati Railway Station. Even when in a rush, do not forget to keep looking up!

Description:

Opposite the parliament stand two striking buildings which were both candidates and finalists for the parliament building design competition. In a show of extreme fair-play, the architects were honored by having their creations constructed right across the street from the eventual winner. The Ministry of Agriculture is located in the neo-Renaissance building, while the other beautiful structure houses the Ethnographic museum. Take a look at these buildings and decide which one you would have chosen for that prime spot on the Danube.

Our Local Expert Says:

Being amongst the most stunning architectural masterpieces of the city (and that is making quite a statement), the museum is frequently used for film shoots and weddings. Worth a visit, if only to marvel at the truly breathtaking exterior!

Description:

If your purpose for traveling is to explore different cultures, then you must to see the Ethnographic Museum featuring the cultural history of Hungary. The building itself was once the Supreme Court, explaining why the ceiling fresco of Justitia, the goddess of justice adorns the entrance ceiling. The permanent exhibition named "Folk Culture of the Hungarians" displays the everyday life and festivals of the Hungarian peasantry with dioramas within thirteen rooms. Although this is the primary focal point, temporary exhibitions are continuously opened and cover a wide variety of topics.

Our Local Expert Says:

Crowning jewel of the castle district, this church has played a central role in the religious and, at times, political life of Hungary for the last 700 years. The Hungarian King received his coronation here and was then introduced to the Buda townspeople.

Description:

As you walk through this former medieval settlement, you will find Matthias Church (Mátyás templom) at Holy Trinity Square (Szentháromság tér). The center of the square has the plague monument, erected in 1713 as a remembrance for those lost to the plague, but the real attention grabber is the green and gold tiles that decorate the church's roof and the rococo spire reaching upward. Much of the church is scaffold covered due to renovations that will last until 2012. Exquisitely proportioned, the inside is in baroque style with leftover Turkish influences from their earlier invasion.

Description:

To the side and behind Matthias Church is Fishermen's Bastion, a terrace in neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque architecture. The Middle Age fishermen's guild was responsible for defending this part of the hill, thus the name. The seven towers represent the seven tribes that conquered the region now known as Hungary. The panoramic view from here provides a closer view of Margaret Island and the Pest side of the city. Sitting in front of the terrace is a statue of King St. Stephen riding his horse. From the terrace, there are paths to walk down the hill.

Description:

Budapest has a proud and ancient Jewish heritage, which is slowly being revived. The medieval Jewish Prayer House is unique in that it is on the Buda side of the river (most of the current Jewish activity is in Pest, around the Great Synagogue). You will find rare remnants of the historic Jewish community of Buda including gravestones and even Gothic pieces.

Our Local Expert Says:

Watching night fall upon Pest is an unbelievable experience from here. The crooked little medieval streets bathed in warm yellow light also create and unmatchable atmosphere.

Description:

After you've seen the Royal Palace, take a stroll northwards. The medieval street network remains unaltered and although most of the buildings have been thoroughly restored (the war damage was severe) many retain their original features. You will be able to see the remains of the Dominican monastery; note the Plague monument outside Matyas Church; walk along the castle walls on the Buda side and see the Turkish tombstones at the north-western corner. There are many places to eat out here, but you should expect to pay tourist prices.

Description:

The Royal Palace is the major draw bringing visitors to the castle district, a hilltop area on the Buda side of the river. The first permanent settlers moved to location in the 13th century, but King Béla IV moved his royal court here in 1255. The original castle destroyed during World War II, was rebuilt as the Royal Palace, though no royals ever lived in it. The Royal Palace is home to the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest Museum, and the National Széchenyi Library. The panoramic views from the front of the Hungarian National Gallery are breathtaking, each season offering a different perspective of the Danube River and the city below.

Description:

If you're interested in opera or theatre, check out the Palace of Arts. If you're feeling some world music, jazz or popular music, head on over to the Palace of Arts. If you're looking for ballet or other dancing, make the Palace of Arts your destination. In Budapest, this is definitely where you want to be if you want anything to do with the arts. Since its opening in 2005, the Palace of Arts has become the most prestigious center for artistic expression in Hungary's cultural history.