Next to it stands the most beautiful gothic temple of Hungary. Officially called as the Church of Our Lady (Hungary’s patron saint is the Virgin Mary), more commonly referred to as the Matthias Church (popularly named after the greatest Hungarian king, Matthias Corvinus). However, it was considerably redesigned and built over the centuries, new parts were added, others destructed by the rulers. Three times it served as crowning church, and several royal weddings were held in it. Its unique features are magnificent inside and out. From the outside the most breathtaking part is undisputable 80 meters (260 ft.) high stone-laced Gothic tower, while by entering the church visitors are instantly impressed by the wide hall area and the arches of the side aisles.
Fishermen’s Bastion
This terrace in neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque style is situated on the Buda bank of the Danube, on the Castle Hill in Budapest. It’s located above the district called Watertown (Víziváros) just around Matthias Church. It’s one of the most popular spots of the Castle District with visitors. It offers a grand panorama of almost the entire city. It was designed and built between 1895 and 1902 based on the plans of Frigyes Schulek. It’s named after the fishermen as they were responsible for defending this stretch of the city walls, but no fight was ever fought on the bastion itself. The bastion is named after the fishermen, who were responsible for defending this stretch of the city walls, but they never fought any battles on the bastion itself.
In 1987 the UNESCO included the whole Castle District and the Danube embankment to their World Cultural Heritage Program as they incorporate many historic and cultural sights that depict important periods from the story of the whole area.
Pest Side
Parliament
This eclectic neo-Gothic building is the permanent site of the national assembly, sitting on the right side of the Danube, giving a nice counterweight to the Buda Castle on the left. At the time of its construction, between 1885 and 1902, it was the largest parliamentary building in the world. However, the unique interior includes huge halls with 691 rooms, all in neo-gothic design, with a touch of Byzantine influence. In fact, the decorations needed about 40 kg of 22-23 karat gold!
Andrássy Avenue
Budapest’s most beautiful avenue is also part of the World Heritage. Lined by eclectic Neo-renaissance palaces and houses featuring fine facades, staircases and interiors, it is pure pleasure walking along this iconic street for the sight of architectural masterpieces. Below the surface runs the first underground of continental Europe. The Millennium Underground was proposed in 1870 and started operating in 1896.
Heroes’ Square
Lying at the end of the Andrássy Avenue, Heroes’ Square (or Hősök tere in Hungarian) is surrounded by two beautiful buildings. The eclectic-neoclassical Museum of Fine Arts and the Hall of Art. Budapest most beautiful square is dominated by the Millennium Memorial. It’s a monument portraying the outstanding figures of the 1100 years since Settlement of the Magyars in Hungary in the 9th century.
Opera House
The building of the Hungarian State Opera House is a splendid example of neo-Renaissance architecture. It has the elements of the Baroque grandeur.
Szent István Basilica
The second most important church in Hungary, situated in the heart of the city of Pest. It was built on a Greek cross plan in a neo-Renaissance-Classicist style over 50 years, from 1851 to 1905, by József Hild, Miklós Ybl and József Kauser. It was decorated by the most prominent artists – painters and sculptors – of 19th century’s Hungary, such as Bertalan Székely, Gyula Benczúr, Alajos Stróbl, János Fadrusz, and Pál Pátzay. Hungary’s first canonized Christian King’s mummified right hand is kept in the Chapel of the “Holy Right Hand”. From the south tower one can enjoy the extraordinary view of the city.
Dohány Street Great Synagogue
Europe’s biggest synagogue is located in the heart of Pest. The Dohány Street Synagogue complex consists of the Great Synagogue, the Jewish Museum, the Heroes’ Temple, the graveyard and the Holocaust memorial.
Chain Bridge
The Széchenyi Lánchíd (Chain Bridge) is Budapest’s oldest and most known permanent bridge over the Danube. Its construction was initiated by Count István Széchenyi in 1839, and was designed by Adam Clark. The magnificent construction is about 375 meter (1230ft) long and 16 meter wide. It’s ornamented by beautifully craved stone lions at the feet of the bridge.
Festooned with white lights the Chain Bridge at night is one of the most beautiful sights of the city.
