Trade Shows » Country » Hungary » Budapest

History & Evolution
Budapest’s sights, sounds and tastes are all the product of a fascinating history. Romans first occupied the territory in 1st century AD. Later in 896 came the conquest of Carpathian basin by Magyar tribes and with the crowning of King Stephen, came the foundation of the Hungarian State in the year 1000.

In 1526, Turks defeated the Hungarian army and the Ottoman Empire seized full control. However, soon the forces of several Western governments drove out Turks and the nation was absorbed into Austrian Hapsburg Empire for next 200 years.

With the 1873 administrative unification of the previously autonomous towns of Obuda, Buda and Pest came the birth of Budapest while the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed at the end of Ist World War. Later the 1920 Trianon settlement treaty converted the city into the capital of a Hungary.

The IInd World War saw Hungary enter allied to Hitler while German occupied in 1944. By the end of the fighting and Soviet 'liberation’, Budapest was in ruins, with scars that can still be seen today alongside those of a failed 1956 uprising violently crushed by Moscow.

In 1989, however, fences that separated the nation from Austria were torn by 1991 there were no more Soviet troops in Hungary.

Therefore, the Budapest that you see today, now the capital of a NATO and European Union member state, is a city of many layers, each created by experiences of the past.

Site-Seeing
You will be surprised to see the way Budapest has managed to blend several centuries of architectural and cultural heritage with all the innovations thrown at it by modern life. Most of the major sights of the city are situated on Varhegy (Castle Hill)- a long, narrow plateau laced with cobblestone streets, clustered with beautifully preserved Baroque, Gothic & Renaissance houses and crowned by the magnificent Royal Palace.

Budapest is also a city with many fairs and festivals which take place during the spring and fall, including the late-March to early-April Spring Festival and the myriad wine-harvest festivals in late summer and early fall.

Gellert Hill:
Built in 1854 by the Austrians, Gellert Hill is an attractive citadel, which has been converted into a hotel and a museum. The monument or hill stands in memory of Bishop who was martyred in 11th century. The legend has that he was hurled off the cliff that is now named after him.

Gellert Hill offers unrivalled panoramic views of the city, taking in Buda, Pest and the Danube River in between. A statue of the martyred Bishop stands at the base of the hill while on its summit stands the Liberation Monument, a female figure holding aloft the palm of victory, dedicated to the memory of Soviet troops who died freeing Hungary in 1945.

The hill is also home to several historic spas, valued for their medicinal qualities where visitors can relax in the thermal waters of the Roman-style pools.

Location: District XI, Szent Gellert Ter 2-6

Chain Bridge:
Today the symbol of the city, Chain Bridge was the first stone bridge to be built over the Danube and is most famous for its lion statues. The bridge was built by the makes of London Bridge, William & Adam Clark. It was considered an amazing piece of engineering when it was opened in 1849.

Standing proudly amongst the nine other bridges, Chain Bridge makes a magnificent sight when floodlit at night. At the foot of the bridge is Kilometre Zero, the point in the city from where all distances are measured.

Location: Clark Adam Square

Parliament Buildings:
On the banks of the River Danube stands, an imposing sight and a prominent feature of Budapest’s panorama i.e. the world’s most beautiful parliament buildings. With its red dome and white stone lace ornamentation and spires, the buildings indeed is the most decorative structure of the city.

Stone lions outline the entrance guarding a rich interior of marble & gold, statues & columns and magnificent artifacts, including the 1,000-year-old crown of the first Hungarian King. While the grand edifice, stretching for 820ft (250m) along the embankment is one of the biggest national assemblies in the world.

St Joseph's Oratory (Oratoire St-Joseph):
Location: District V, Kossuth Lajos Ter 1-3

Matthias Church (Church of Our Lady):
Named after the nation's famous ruler, King Matthias (1458-90), the church is situated in the center of the Castle Quarter. This 700 years old church is an endorser of learning and arts with its distinctive multicoloured tiled roof and Gothic spires.

Initially a castle, it was converted into a mosque under the Turkish occupation in 1541 when the interior walls were whitewashed and painted with scenes from the Koran. It also suffered heavily in the later siege and was restored again in 19th century, reconstructed in its characteristic neo-Gothic style when the remains of original medieval frescoes were discovered underneath the whitewash.

Today the church holds High Mass, as well as concerts, organ and choir recitals owing to its magnificent acoustics.

Location: District I, Trinity Square (Szentharomsag ter)

Castle Royal Palace:
Located at the top of Castle Hill in the picturesque Castle District of Buda, the Castle Royal Palace was first inhabited by King Bela in 13th century. Later it became the residence of many royal figures.

Today it is the country's most important cultural center housing numerous museums and majority of historical buildings. Besides, the Budapest History Museum, the palace complex also houses the Hungarian National Gallery, National Library and Ludwig Museum.

Location: District I, Budavari Palota, Disz Ter 17