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About Budapest
Budapest, one of the
most beautiful historical capitals in Europe, is situated on the banks of
the Danube. The city actually consists of three cities: Óbuda, the oldest
section, with Celtic and Roman ruins, Buda in hills on the western bank,
famous for its historic Castle Hill and beautiful residential area, and
bustling Pest with its shopping, government and commercial districts on the
flat plain of the east bank. United in 1873, Budapest is renowned as the
location of one of the most beautiful World Heritage sites. |
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Turn of the century Budapest was rightly considered the birthplace of
the modern world. World War I proved disastrous. Partitioned into almost
one-third its original size, millions of ethnic Hungarians found
themselves living outside the country. Soviet occupation followed after
World War II as Stalinism lowered its iron curtain across Central
Eastern Europe. On 23 October 1956 a revolution aimed at restoring
democracy broke out against the communist dictatorship. On 23 October
1989, in commemoration of the revolution against the communist
dictatorship, the Third Hungarian Republic was declared. Hungary, as a
result of the multi-party elections of the 90s, has been undergoing
great economic and political development within the democratic,
parliamentary system.
Hungary has become a member of NATO and the
member of the European Union, the accession was taken place in May 2004. |
Only
Budapest can say of itself that it has Europe's largest Parliament, largest
functioning synagogue and the continent's first underground railway. The
architectural beauty with its monuments from neo-classic through baroque to
eclectic art nouveau is prevalent in the city. Budapest is also world famous
for its artistic abundance of concerts,
operas, recitals,
galas,
exhibitions and
spa baths.
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The
Castle District is
one of the most romantic pedestrian sections in Buda. A medieval little town
with atmospheric streets, houses, beautiful monuments and gas lamps. The
winding streets and narrow houses date back to the Middle Ages, occasionally
decorated with valuable Gothic window and door frames. |
The
Royal Palace, at the
top of Castle Hill, erected in the 14th century and rebuilt in Baroque style
400 years later, was the residence of Hungarian kings for 700 years. Today
it embraces the most visited museums and galleries in Budapest, such as the
Budapest Historical Museum, Hungarian National Gallery and National Library. |
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The
700-year old Matthias Church with its Gothic spire and multi-colored tiled
roof is where the nation's kings were crowned. Now it is the site of organ
and choir performances. Be sure to catch the sunset at Fisherman's Bastion,
with its view of the river, Chain Bridge, Parliament building and Pest
across the horizon. Built at the turn of the century, the building of the
Parliament quickly
became a dominant sight and symbol of Budapest and the Danube panorama.
A typically Eclectic edifice with a lot of small spikes and stone lace
ornamentation, it is one of the most decorative structures of the
capital. You will see the legendary crown jewels of King Stephen, which
have a spectacular history, having been stolen or misappropriated at
various times since the Middle Ages. |
The
Byzantine-looking
Dohány Street Synagogue
with 3,000 seats, is Europe's largest synagogue and the world's second
largest after New York's Temple Emanu-El. Its excellent acoustics also make
it suitable for concerts. The Jewish Museum, set up in its courtyard, has
one of the most outstanding Judaic collections of Central Europe. |
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It is
worth walking along the strictly straight Andrássy Boulvard. Both sides of
the Boulvard are lined by eclectic 19th and 20th century mansions designed
with artistic thoughtfulness, and one of the most beautiful
opera houses in the
world. The first director was Ferenc Erkel, Gustav Mahler held this post for
several years, and Puccini directed the premiere of two of his operas here.
Renowned guest conductors include Otto Klemperer, Sergio Failoni and
Lamberto Gardelli. It is still one of the best opera houses in Europe. |
The city
is also famous for its one of Europe`s largest
bath complexes, in
fact there is no other capital city in the world with almost 100 thermal
springs and 12 medicinal baths within its boundaries, where 19 million
gallons of thermal water rise to the surface each day. The atmosphere of
Roman bathing culture may be felt in its light, spacious pool halls, while
Greek bathing culture is reflected in the tub baths, but traces of Nordic
traditions may also be found in the heat chambers, saunas and dipping pools. |
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Do as Budapesters do and unwind
over strong coffee and sweet cake in an old, cozy café. There were more than
400 coffeehouses in Budapest at the turn of the 20th century, attracting
everyone from soldiers and aristocrats to poets and actors, and some of the
best are still in business today.
The warm hospitality of
people, excellent food and
wine, reliable and
frequent public transportation, vivid
cultural life, rich
museums, attract
millions of visitors every year. |
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