Castle Hill, a large limestone plateau encompassing many of Budapest's most important historic sites and attractions, is an area that simply begs to be explored. Settlement dates as far back as the Stone Age, resulting in an interesting mix of important medieval ruins and architectural highlights from the last few centuries.
Today, the most prominent building is Buda Castle, a huge palatial structure that dominates the hill and offers commanding views over the beautiful Danube. Like much of Budapest, it's a great area to explore after nightfall as it's lit up in spectacular fashion. And for truly adventurous night owls, the castle courtyards remain open 24 hours a day. Be sure to also take a trip on the fully restored historic Castle Funicular Railway, which departs from the Buda end of the Chain Bridge.
1 Buda Castle
Built in the 13th century, the first castle was located on the south spur of Castle Hill to provide protection from attacks by Mongols and Tartars. The current incarnation of Buda Castle (sometimes called the Castle Palace) certainly doesn't fail to impress. This massive, 18th century Neo-Baroque style structure boasts more than 200 rooms set out in a symmetrical layout centered on the 62-meter-high central dome facing the Danube. Badly damaged in WWII, much of the exterior has been restored, and although the interior was stripped and destroyed during the war, parts are open to the public via its museums and galleries: the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum, and the Széchenyi National Library.
Outside the castle walls a number of Turkish tombstones can still be seen, while in front of the domed building, facing the Danube, stands a bronze equestrian statue representing Prince Eugene of Savoy, a hero for having opposed the Turks. This must-see historic landmark is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Address: 1014 Budapest, Szent György tér 2
Official site: www.budacastlebudapest.com
2 Hungarian National Gallery
The Hungarian National Gallery is housed in the main wing of Buda Castle facing the Danube. A cross-section of Hungarian sculpture and painting is on display, ranging from the time of the Magyar invasion through the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods to the richly productive 19th and 20th centuries. Sculptures and panel paintings from the medieval and Renaissance periods are of particular interest, as are the late Baroque works, 19th century paintings and sculptures by Bálint Kiss, Mór Than, László Pál, Mihály Munkácsy, Alajos Stróbl and György Zala. Also worthy of study are pictures painted in the 20th century, including works by Béla Czóbel, József Egry and József Rippl-Rónai.
Hours: Tue-Sun, 10am-6pm
Admission: Adults, HUF 700; Children (under 6), Free
Address: 1014 Budapest, Szent György tér 2
Official site: www.mng.hu/en
3 Budapest History Museum
The Budapest History Museum is housed in the south wing of Buda Castle, its four floors containing many interesting displays and exhibits relating to Hungary's rich history. Highlights include rare documents, ceramics, wrought-iron work, textiles, household utensils and other objects which provide a picture of life as it once was in the independent towns of Óbuda, Buda and Pest up to 1872. In the Renaissance Room a painting shows Matthias Corvinus and Beatrice of Aragon, his second wife, while the Gothic Room's fine sculptures date from between 1370 and 1420 (they were discovered during excavation work in 1974). Other Gothic sculptures can be seen in the Royal Chapel, where a beautiful 15th century triptych has been set up. Other highlights include a restored section of the medieval castle, and the rib-vaulted Gothic Hall. For fans of military history, the adjoining Museum of Military History includes weapons, uniforms, flags and artwork.
Hours: Tues-Fri, 10am-4pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-6pm
Address: 1014 Budapest, Szent György tér 2
Official site: www.btm.hu/eng/
4 Fisherman's Bastion
Also on Castle Hill, at the exact spot where the local fishermen's guild built their defense installations in the Middle Ages, is the spectacular Fisherman's Bastion. Built behind the Matthias Church between 1895 and 1902, its seven towers, colonnades and embrasures were designed in Neo-Romanesque style by Frigyes Schulek. From here you'll find some of the best views over the city and the Danube. In the north courtyard of the bastion stand two statues of the monks Julianus and Gellért (Károly Antal, 1937), while in the south courtyard stands a bronze equestrian statue of St Stephen (Szent István), the first King of Hungary (A. Stróbl, 1906). The plinth includes four lions and the reliefs on the sides depict scenes from Stephen's life.
Hours: Terraces and Balconies, Daily, 24 hours; Upper Towers, Daily, 9pm-7pm
Admission: Free (a small entrance fee is required for some towers)
Address: 1014 Budapest, Szentháromság tér 5
Official site: www.fishermansbastion.com
5 Matthias Church: the Church of Our Lady
A prominent sight in Budapest, Matthias Church (also known as The Church of Our Lady) was completed in 1269. Reflecting a distinctly Baroque style, this iconic Catholic Church served as a mosque during the Turkish reign. Its side aisles were extended and given polygonal ends in the 14th century, when the magnificent south doorway with its relief depicting the Death of Mary was added. In 1309, Charles Robert of Anjou was crowned King Charles I of Hungary here. Under King Matthias, after whom the church is named, side-chapels were added, together with an oratory for the royal family and a new south tower bearing the arms of Matthias Corvinus, dated 1470. In 1867 Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria and his consort Elisabeth were crowned rulers of Hungary here (Franz Liszt composed the famous coronation mass).
Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm; Sat, 9am-1pm; Sun, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
Address: 1014 Budapest, Szentháromság tér 2
Official site: www.matyas-templom.hu/eng/index1.html
6 Trinity Square
The central square on Castle Hill is Trinity Square (Szentháromság tér). One of its most interesting features, apart from beautiful Matthias Church, is a large Baroque plague column designed by Barbier and Ungleich (1714). A number of other particularly noteworthy buildings are grouped around the square, including the old Town Hall of Buda, a magnificent building erected at the end of the 17th century from plans by Italian architect Ceresola. The oriel balcony, small towers, courtyard and staircase are of considerable architectural and historical interest, and below the east oriel window can be seen Pallas Athene, by Carlo Adami (1795). Another landmark is the House of the Hungarian Culture Foundation, worthy of a peek inside due to its beautiful interior.
7 Andrew Hess Square
Named after Andrew Hess, the first printer of books in Buda (1473), this lovely old square includes medieval remains cleverly incorporated into the architecture of the highly modern Budapest Hilton. Among these important ruins is the St. Nicholas Tower (Miklós torony), a relic of the Late Gothic Church of St Nicholas of the Dominicans who had a monastery here. The monument to Pope Innocent XI was the work of J Damko (1936). Behind the monument is the architectural complex known as "Vörös sün" (the Red Hedgehog), which dates from the 17th and 18th century and which was later remodeled in Classical style.
8 Gentlemen's Street - Uri utca
Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture features in the popular Gentlemen's Street (Uri utca), where tourists can wander the many boutique shops and cafés. At No 40, a superb example of fine vaulting and the sedilia can be seen, and from No 9 Gentlemen's Street there was, until recently, access to the vast system of caves and underground passages. This subterranean network covers some 24 kilometers, and was a stronghold for the German army during the siege of Budapest in WWII.
9 Széchenyi National Library
The huge Széchenyi National Library has been housed in the southwest wing of Buda Castle since 1985. Founded by Count Ferenc Széchenyi in 1802, this superb facility contains over 6 million documents with an emphasis on manuscripts and maps. The highlight of the collection is the famous Budapest Manuscripts, some of the oldest known medieval illustrated scripts.
Hours: Tues-Sat, 9am-8pm
Admission: Free
Address: 014 Budapest, Szent György tér 4-5-6
Official site: http://regi.oszk.hu/index_en.htm
10 Museum of Music History
The exhibits at the excellent Museum of Music History consist of more than 1,000 musical instruments from the 18th to 20th centuries. Displays include rare violins plus folk, military band and other instruments. Guided tours of the facility are available, and often include a short concert afterwards. The museum also offers a first rate program of recitals and concerts, with a focus on Hungarian music, ranging from folk music, gipsy music and composers such as Liszt and Bartók.
Hours: Daily, 10am-4pm
Admission: Adults, HUF 600; Children (under 6), Free
Address: Táncsics Mihály utca 7, Budapest H-1014
Official site: www.zti.hu/museum/index_en.htm
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