The UNESCO World Heritage sites
in Budapest include all the important historic and cultural monuments that make the
Hungarian capital one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
With a little bit of historical background these outstanding buildings
and vistas tell you how Budapest evolved from a small village into a vibrant metropolis.
In 1987 Unesco decided to include the Castle District and the
Danube embankment in their World Heritage programme.
The main reason they did so is that
Budapest incorporates many historic and cultural sights that depict important periods from
the story of the city.
Castle District
In the Castle District
you'll find several-centuries of Budapest history condensed.
Numerous sieges, wars and natural disasters destroyed much of the
original Castle Quarter, but still its beauty and charm will enchant you. Although
reconstruction works managed to preserve remains of the earliest monuments, mainly Baroque
buildings dominate the districts today.
The Royal Palace plays an important role not only in Budapest's but in
the country's cultural life. The palace's medieval part houses the Budapest Historical
Museum. The National Gallery, the National Szechenyi Library and the Ludwig Museum with
contemporary exhibitions are also there.In the heart of the Castle District, on Holy Trinity Square
(Szentharomsag ter), stands the capital's most famous temple, Matthias Church. The more
than 700-year old church witnessed many coronations and royal weddings. Its Gothic tower
together with the turreted Fishermen's Bastion (Halaszbastya) in the background are among
the best known landmarks of Budapest. The Castle District well deserves to be part of the
Unesco's World Heritage sites.
Let me tell you two more things I love about this historic quarter
of Budapest:
Walking on its cobbled, romantic streets in an early spring morning
(before the tourists arrive) and the breathtaking panorama of the Danube; with the bridges
and Pest embankment, with the dominating Parliament building facing me.
If not for its World Heritage status than for the two above benefits
you must not miss visiting the Castle District in Buda.
Danube Embankment
You can descend from Castle Hill by the cogwheel railway (entrance at
Fishermen's Bastion), and you'll arrive at Clark Adam Square.
The whole Danube embankment from the Gellert Hill to the Rudas Baths
forms a harmonic integrity including the Danube Bridges and the opposite Pest side with
the imposing Budapest Parliament and other outstanding architectural masterpieces.
The first permanent connection between Buda and Pest, the Chain Bridge
(Szechenyi Lanchid) spans the Danube between Clark Adam Square and Roosevelt Square. The
white and graceful Elizabeth Bridge (Erzsebet hid) and the Liberty Bridge (Szabadsag hid)
provide additional links, making the two city parts a whole entity.
Near the Pest end of the Chain Bridge you can admire two
architectural gems:
The Neo-Renaissance Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Gresham Palace;
where the Four Seasons Hotel provides for your luxury accommodation.
Behind the Parliament buildings stand Budapest's largest church, St.
Stephen's Basilica.
Andrassy Avenue and its Environs
Andrassy Avenue and its environs are the most beautiful parts of
Budapest. The elegant mansions and villas along its sides display architectural styles
from the second half of the 19th century.
The avenue received its name after Count Gyula Andrassy, Hungary's
prime minister between 1867-1971, who cared about Budapest and did much to develop it into
a true metropolis.
Numerous important cultural and historic buildings stand along the
road, like the Budapest Opera House or the Millennium Monument.
On Heroes' Square, two great museums can be found on its sides: The
Museum of Fine Arts and the Hall of Art (Mucsarnok).
Continental Europe's first underground line (M1 or yellow metro line)
runs underneath the wide avenue, connecting the bustling downtown Budapest with the City
Park behind Heroes' Square.
The park is a place for entertainment and relaxation with the
Amusement Park, Budapest Zoo and Botanical Gardens and the Szecheny Baths.
The lake entices you to rowing in summer or ice skating in winter.
When you visit the capital of Hungary, it's a good idea to start
your Budapest sightseeing with visiting its World heritage sites.
By Erzsebet Dobos.
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