4. The History
The history of Budapest
began with Aquincum,
originally a Celtic
settlement that became
the Roman capital of Lower
Pannonia.
Hungarians arrived in the
territory in the 9th century.
Their first settlement was
pillaged by the Mongols in
1241-1242.
5. Following the Battle of
Mohács and nearly
150 years
of Ottoman rule,
Budapest became the
focal point of
the Hungarian
Revolution of 1848
and the Revolution of
1956.
6. Main sights
Buda Castle
Buda Castle is the historical castle and palace complex
of the Hungarian kings. It was completed in 1265.
7. Matthias Church
According to church tradition, it was
originally built in Romanesque
style in 1015.
It is officially named as the Church of
Our Lady.
The church was restored to its original
13th century state but a number of early
original Gothic elements were uncovered.
8. Heroes' Square is one of the
major squares of Budapest. Its
iconic statue complex, Heroes’ Square
the Millennium Memorial was
completed in 1900.
9. Fisherman’s Bastion
This is a terrace in neo-Gothic and neo-
Romanesque style situated on the Buda bank
of the Danube, on the Castlehill in Budapest,
around Matthias Church. It was designed and
built between 1895 and 1902 on the plans
of Frigyes Schulek.
10. Hungarian National Museum
The Hungarian National Museum is the
national museum of Hungary. The museum
was built in the Classical style between 1837
and 1847 by the architect Mihály Pollack.
11. Shoes of the Danube Promenade
It honors the Jews who were killed by
fascist Arrow Cross militiamen in Budapest
during World War II. They were ordered to take
off their shoes, and were shot at the edge of
the water so that their bodies fell into the river
and were carried away. It represents their
shoes left behind on the bank.
13. Spas
The Romans first colonized the area
immediately to the west of the River Danube
and established their regional capital at
Aquincum (now part of Óbuda, in northern
Budapest) in order to utilize and enjoy the
thermal springs.
14. There are still ruins visible today of the
enormous baths that were built during that
period. The new baths that were constructed
during the Turkish period (1541–1686) served
both bathing and medicinal purposes, and
some of these are still in use to this day.
15. Indeed, in 1934 Budapest was officially ranked
as a "City of Spas".
Budapest has 4 famous spas: Király Spa (1565),
Rudas Spa, Gellért Hotel and Spa and
Széchenyi Thermal Spa.
16. Islands
Margaret Island
The island mostly consists of a park and is a
popular recreational area for tourists and
locals alike. Dance clubs, swimming pools, an
Aqua park, athletic and fitness centres,
bicycle and running tracks can be found
around the island.
17. Csepel Island
Csepel Island is the largest island of the River
Danube in Hungary. It is 48 km long; its width
is 6–8 km and its area comprises 257 km2.
18. Hajógyári Island
Hajógyári Island is a man built
island, located in the third
district.
This island hosts many activities
such as wake-boarding, jet-skiing
during the day, and dance clubs
during the night.
This is the island where the famous
Sziget Festival takes place.
One of the biggest entertainment
centres of Europe.
