Budapest City - Hungary’s Parliament is the country’s largest building and has become a symbol of Budapest. Built in 1884-1902 and based on the Houses of Parliament in London, it is 268 m (880 feet) long and 96 m (315 feet) high; it comprises 691 rooms. The Art Museum at Heroes Square is a must-see attractions as well as St. Stephens Church; the Vajdahunyad Castle and its nearby baths are impressive as well.
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Royal Palace - The Royal Palace has borne many incarnations during its long life. Even now it is not known exactly where King Bela IV began building his castle, though it is thought to he nearer the site of Matyas Church. The Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg built a Gothic palace on the present site, from which today's castle began to evolve. In the 18th century, the Habsburgs built their monumental palace here. The current form dates from the rebuilding of the 19th-century palace after its destruction in February 1945.
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Matyas Church - The Parish Church of Our Lady Mary was built on this site between the
13th and 14th centuries. Some of the existing architectural style dates from the reign of Sigismund and of Luxembourg, but its name refers to King Matyas Corvinus, who greatly enlarged and embellished
the church. Much of the original detail was lost when the Turks converted the church into the Great Mosque in 1541. During the liberation of Buda the church was almost totally destroyed, but was rebuilt in the baroque style by Franciscan Friars. The church sustained more damage in 1723, and was restored in the Neo-Gothic style by Frigyes Schulek in 1873-96.
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Central Market - An imposing Budapest landmark, this 180-stall market is a popular place to shop for locals and visitors alike.
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Gellert Hill - The hill to the south of castle Hill was long regarded as a notorious spot. In the 11th century, Prince Vata, brother of King Istvan, incited a heathen rebellion here that resulted in the death of Bishop Gellert. In 1851, the Austrians placed their own bleak and intimidating Citadel at the summit. Not until the end of the 19th century did the popular image of Gellert Hill begin to change, when it became a venue for picnicking parties. The Liberation Monument may be seen from all corners of Budapest.
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Often described as the “Little Paris of Middle Europe”, Budapest is famous not only for the monuments reflecting its own 1,000 year culture, but also for the relics of others who settled here.
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