Budapest History Museum – Castle Museum

I. Szent György tér 2.

This museum, situated in the beautiful Buda Castle itself, showcases the main collection of Budapest’s archaeological finds, displaying the evolution (and sometimes the destruction) of the various settlements all the way from Roman times up until the 13th century.

Visitors can travel back in time, to see part of the medieval Royal Palace of Buda. Authentic everyday document seals, gravestones, weaponryare on display. Other exhibitions depict events of more modern times. Tip: do not miss out on the Gothic statues of the Buda Castle inside!

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The Royal Palace in Buda Castle

I. district

The first, Gothic style palace was built during the reign of Louis the Great, King Sigismund and King Matthias (from the middle of the 14th century until the end of the 15th). It became a royal residence of European rank, with its Gothic and Renaissance elements. Buda was occupied by the Turks in 1541, and it was only retaken during the Christian siege of Buda in 1686. The three-month siege has ruined both the Gothic castle and the residential part of today's Castle District. Following the expulsion of the Turks, the restoration of most buildings was completed in the then-fashionable Baroque style, using the existing remains of buildings. The construction of a much smaller Baroque palace was started in 1715, whose ground area was later extended. At the end of the 19th century, the place almost doubled in size, and a large back wing, today housing the Széchenyi National Library, was added. The architects, Miklós Ybl and Alajos Hauszmann have decorated the palace with Art Nouveau elements, in addition to the existing Baroque style. In WWII, the palace and the Castle District were the last refuge of the Germany Army, which fell under heavy siege from the invading Soviet Army. The palace was again damaged; reconstruction started in the 1950-s. Leading architects of the age have announced that they wanted to return to the 18-th century Baroque form of the palace, and at the same time keep its 19th century dimensions. They constructed a Baroque façade that never existed before. This was because 20th century architects saw no value in eclectic style, although this is now considered to be the most valuable aspect of Budapest's buildings.

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The Fishermen’s Bastion

I. district

The Fishermen’s Bastion was built simultaneously with the last major renovation of the Matthias Church, between 1890 and 1905. The Bastion has seven turrets, each symbolizing a Hungarian tribal leader. Its foundation is a part of the former medieval fortified defensive wall. The structure has never served defence purposes, only that of decoration. Its approximate location gave home to a large fish and produce market in the Middle Ages, and in the Water Town directly below the walls, most of the population made a living from fishing - hence the name, paying tribute to the fishermen. Its southern side has a café open in the main tourist season, and the upper level can only be visited after buying a ticket.

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Matthias Church

I. Szentháromság tér 3.

The church is officially called The Church of Our Lady, and served as a coronation church from the 16th century on. Its vast ecclesiastical collection and treasury is open for visitors. During the centuries, the church underwent several major transformations, the first of which was the addendum of the Mary-gate (Mária-kapu), and in 1470, the 60-metre south side tower, with the King’s raven ensign, was erected. During the Turkish occupation, the church was turned into a mosque and its walls were whitewashed; in the 17th century, it was again rebuilt in Baroque style. Today's Mathias Church is the result of a major renovation between 1895 and 1903, by star architect of the age Frigyes Schulek. The frescoes are the works of famous Hungarian artists such as Károly Lotz, Bertalan Székely and Mihály Zichy.

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Széchényi National Library

I. Budavári Palota F building

In the rear wing of the Royal Palace, facing the Buda side is the Széchenyi National Library of Hungary, the biggest and most comprehensive collection including some surviving manuscript books from the time of King Matthias Corvinus, the legendary Hungarian Renaissance king (the parchment manuscript books are called "Corvina", as the ensign of the king was the raven, which is "corvus" in Latin). Many of these were digitalized to prevent deterioration and to facilitate historical research.

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Buda Castle Funicular

I. Clark Ádám tér - Budai Vár

The Buda Castle Funicular is a special pendulum-type funicular railway whose lower station is located at Clark Ádám tér, and the upper station is between the Sándor Palace and the Buda Castle. As a part of the view of the Danube embankments, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Funicular was inaugurated in 1870, and it had a major role in the Buda Castle's traffic, as public buses were only in operation from 1928. The original steam engine which operated the Funicular was located underneath the lower station. In World War II, the structure took heavy damage from aerial bombing: the upper station was hit, along with one of the cars. During the course of the full renovation in 1985, an electric engine beneath the upper station replaced the original steam engine. Nowadays, the Funicular carries about 750,000 passengers annually.

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Aquincum Museum

III. Szentendrei út 139.

The former Roman provincial capital, Aquincum includes ruins of the settlement and a large amphitheatre. Mosaic floors, a diorama depicting Roman nobles, murals and a resored water organ can be seen at the museum.

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Tomb of Gül Baba

II. Mecset utca 14.

Gül Baba's octagonal tomb (türbe) was built in the 16th century, and is located on Mecset (mosque) Street, Budapest, a short but steep walk from the Margaret Bridge in the district of Rózsadomb.

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Military History Museum

I. Tóth Árpád sétány 40.

The Institute and Museum of Military History is located in the building of the Nándor Barracks in the Buda Castle (Budai Vár). Besides the armoury, the collection of uniforms, flags, and numismatics are also significant.

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House of Future Center

II. Kis Rókus utca 16.

The House of Future Center is a unique Central European institution of culture, entertainment and science. All age groups find something interesting for them here.

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Hungarian National Gallery

I. Szent György tér 2.

The museum is located inside the Royal Buda Castle building, in wings A, B, C and D. Containing over 100,000 items, it is by far the largest public collection featuring the evolution of Hungarian fine arts. The national museum of Hungarian fine arts. Permanent exhibitions: Medieval and Renaissance museum of stonework remains, Gothic wood sculptures and easel paintings, Late-Gothic winged altars, Renaissance and Baroque art, Mihály Munkácsy and László Paál, painting and sculpture of the 19th and 20th centuries, Habsburg palatinate crypt.

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Millenaris

II. Fény utca 10-12.

The Millenaris is an outstanding cultural centre in Budapest. Unique in Europe, this venue has rich and varied programmes while its interesting architectural and natural environment provide a wholistic recreational area for all ages.

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