A financial hub of Central Europe, Budapest is a popular destination for its beautiful sites and rich history. The city’s story begins with Aquincum, a Celtic settlement that became part of the Roman Empire as Pannonia Inferior before the Hungarians migrated to the area in the 9th century. Originally three cities, Buda, Óbuda and Pest separated by the Danube River, Budapest combined the cities in 1873.
Over on the Buda side is the Hungarian Parliament Building, the largest building in the country and still the tallest in Budapest since it was originally built in 1904. The architecture is a symmetrical Gothic Revival style filled with frescoe, stained glass and the Hungarian Crown Jewels. The building is still used for the National Assembly of Hungary, though guided tours are open to the public.
The Castle District is steeped in history, home to three churches, six museums and a host of historic buildings. One of the most favorite sites here is Matthias Church in the heart of the Castle District. It is of the Roman Catholic denomination, built in the 14th century and housing a number of religious artifacts and medieval carvings.
Budapest’s crown jewel would have to be Buda Castle, also known as the Royal Palace, built on the south end of Castle Hill and overlooking the Danube. Its foundations date back to the 14th century, enduring multiple battles, occupations and reconstructions in its lifetime. Today it houses three museums and the National Széchényi Library.
Across the river in Pest lies Andrássy út, a main street of Budapest that dates back to 1872. Today it is lined with shops, cafes and theaters, highlighting Budapest’s crossroads as a historic city with a progressive future.
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