Budapest for Culture Vultures

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During the 1896 millennial celebration of the Magyars settling and forming a nation in 896, the plans were proposed for the Museum of Fine Arts. Ten years later in the presence of Franz Josef, the king and emperor of Austria and Hungary, the Museum of Fine Arts was opened at the left side of Heroes' Square. This was the last great monument to be built during the most prosperous period of Hungary's history. Designed in the Beaux Arts style, the main facade has three classical Greek temples connected by colonnades. The temples represent the grove of muses, a place of relaxation. The Greek influence is further incorporated with the Corinthian columns and sculpture in the pediment: the Battle of the Lapiths and the Centaurs from the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. The museum is the main repository of foreign art in Hungary and it houses one of central Europe's major collections of such works. The initial collection was donated by Count Széchenyi who presented a number of portraits. A significant part of the collection was acquired in 1871 from the Esterházy collection, an enormously wealthy noble family who spent centuries amassing great art. There are eight sections in the museum: Egyptian...

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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.

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.

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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.

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The building that contains these exhibits is stunning. An almost perfect example of Hungarian Art Nouveau, it has a gorgeous roof with lacy features. Inside you will find exhibits and displays detailing the geological history of the nation. There are fossils, a collection of the various minerals that have been found in Hungary and explanations of geological phenomena. Guides are available in English, German and Hungarian.

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Built in 1859, this is the second-largest working synagogue in the world (the largest is in New York City), and the second-oldest large building of those still standing. The oldest is the National Museum. The architect was non-Jewish Lajos Förster who designed it with Romantic, Moorish, and Byzantine elements. The synagogue's interior is a mix of Orthodox and Reformed Judaism for the Hungarian Neolog Jewish denomination, which seems to exist only in Hungary. Due to this, many are surprised to see an organ in the loft. They had to and still have to have a non-Jewish organist to play it. The synagogue has a rich, but tragic history; it was one of many detention areas for Jews during the Holocaust. There's a Jewish museum next door that traces the origins of Hungarian Judaism and features exhibits of ceremonial Judaica throughout the centuries. The museum periodically puts on excellent temporary exhibitions. The Holocaust Memorial and Heroes' Temple in the courtyard are well worth visiting. Note that the Holocaust Memorial Museum is at a different location.

Our Local Expert Says:

One of Budapest’s most beautiful historic spas, a Secessionist masterpiece!

Description:

The Gellért Bath as part of the Gellért Hotel is one of Budapest's most beautiful historic thermal spas, renovated to receive its present appearance in the early 20th century. It is considered a Secessionist masterpiece with its imposing exterior and elaborate mosaic and stain glass window decorated interior.

Located at the foot of the picturesque Gellért Hill, the bath house is fed by the springs coming to surface on the geological fault line running along the Buda embankment.

The entrance to the bath - open to hotel and non-hotel guests alike - can be found to the right of the main entrance. The main attraction is its main indoor pool, famous for its beautiful Secessionist design, marble columns and colourful mosaic. Several plunge pools of different temperatures can be found, as well as saunas and a steam bath. The sun terrace and outdoor wave pool have a gorgeous view of the Gellért Hill, and the first floor terrace of the Gellért Restaurant boasts a spectacular view of the city.

Summer pool parties are held on Fridays and Saturdays from 8pm in through July and August.

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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:

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:

This boulevard is a must-see; skipping a walk along here would be like skipping the Leaning Tower of Pisa on visiting Italy. The Andrássy and its stylish component Hero’s Square have been labeled a world heritage site, creating the face of the city Budapest is so proud of. It stands to boast about a golden age that once was, allowing such architectural masterpieces to come into existence. Most of the buildings are in desperate need of renovation today, but still portray the air of elegance that used to surround them in the 19th century.

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The avenue, quite rightly entitled the Hungarian Champs-Élysées, runs from the heart of the city to the City Park, connecting the bustling inner city to one of its nature oases. It is named after Count Andrássy, prime minister of Hungary when the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy came into existence. He was keen on developing the city into a metropolis and instigated the planning of the avenue. Starting at Deak Square, walk along the avenue to enjoy the row of Eclectic architectural masterpieces so typical of the city, while enjoying the elegant atmosphere created by the classy shops, boutiques and cafés. The magnificent Neo Renaissance building of the National Opera House is located along the avenue, known for being amongst the best sounding opera houses of Europe. Further up, take a peek into Nagymező Street, the theatrical district of the city, where the Operetta Theatre and the former residence of the photographer Mai Mano can be found. Liszt Ferec Square off the avenue is a pedestrian only area and mini paradise of restaurants and cafés. At Oktogon visit the House of Terror, a powerful, insightful yet not so objective museum about the horrors of the Communist era in Hungary. The next square,... read more

Description:

This theater is a piece of Hungarian history. It has recently undergone an extensive renovation, and is now gratefully equipped with air conditioning. The Thália's 522 seat auditorium is one of the finest in Budapest. The Vagina Monologues have graced this stage, just one of many eclectic pieces that come to the Thália.