BudaPest

Budapest (pop. 1.9 million) is the capital of Hungary. It constitutes Buda (left) and Pest (right) which is separated by the Danube River. The Chain Bridge (centre) is the first permanent bridge over the Danube River.

Festival at Chain Bridge!

Gellert Bath

One of the very special things about Budapest is the prevalence of thermal springs right in the centre of the city. In 1934 Budapest was officially ranked as a “City of Spas.” Based around the natural hot springs of Gellért Hill on the banks of the Danube (Buda), Gellért Bath is a traditional thermal bath house that’s renowned for its healing properties.It’s the most famous of Budapest’s thermal spas and is admired for its opulent style and baths adorned with tiles, statues and marble pillars.

St Stephen's Basilica

St. Stephen's Basilica is dedicated to Hungary's first king, St. Stephen. The largest church in Budapest, about 8,500 people can get in. St Stephen's Basilica also houses St Stephen's mummified right hand, the Szent Jobb (Holy Right Hand), Hungary's most sacred treasure.

Parliament House

The Parliament Building is situated at Pest's riverbank. Budapest was united from three cities in 1873 and seven years later, the National Assembly resolved to establish a new representative Parliament Building, expressing the sovereignty of the nation.

The magnificent structure is the largest parliamentary building in the world, at the time of construction. The elegant dome has a height of 69 meters.

Festival of Folk Arts!

Heroes's Square

Heroes's Square, a complex of statues and sculptures on the square, was originally planned as part of the Millenium celebrations held in 1896 to commemorate 1000 years of Hungarian history since the Conquest of the Carpathian Basin by Magyar (Hungarian) tribes.

In the centre rises a 36m stone column with the Archangel Gabriel at the top and equestrian statues of the seven conquering Magyar chiefs at the base. Gabriel is depicted standing on a globe holding aloft the Hungarian crown and an Apostolic cross, representing the unity of the Hungarian state and Christian culture. Legend has it that the archangel once appeared to Stephen, Hungary's first monarch, charging him to convert the then pagan Magyars to Christianity.

Archangel Gabriel

Equestrian statues of the seven conquering Magyar chiefs

The stone block on the ground in front of the column is the Heroes' Monument, the traditional spot for wreath-laying ceremonies. The inscription recalls those who have given their lives for Hungarian freedom and independence. Behind the column is a two-part colonnade. The four groups of symbolic figures on the top represent Work, Wealth, War, Peace, and Knowledge and Glory. Between the columns of the colonnade are statues of Hungarian rulers and princes.