Buda districts
The city of Budapest is divided into 23 districts, each made up of smaller neighbourhoods which, in some cases, were once villages themselves. In terms of tourist attractions, the most interesting part of Buda is Buda Castle or district I, which is situated on high ground on the western bank of the Danube. The area is home to around 30,000 inhabitants and when you stroll along its historical streets you will understand why it is so few. In order to get to grips with its magnificence you have to journey back in time, as the area was once the capital of Hungary in the fourteen and fifteenth centuries. The conquest by the Turks, in 1541, would change that, however, as the capital was moved to Pressburg. Its journey did not end there, however, as in 1686 it fell into Austrian hands and did not become a free city until 1703. It was not until 1784 that it once again became the capital of Hungary. A century later, the cities of Óbuda and Pest were merged to form the current Budapest.
Although Buda is often identified with the Castle Quarter, there are other tourists attractions in the vicinity that are well worth a visit on a route through the western part of Budapest. The most original way to get to the elevated part of Buda, in other words Castle Hill, is via a lift that costs just a few forints.
Landmarks in Buda include the Royal Palace complex, where the Hungarian National Gallery is located, with its incredible Gothic altarpieces, Budapest History Museum, the National Széchenyi Library and also Matthias fountain. But these are not the only things of interest in the quarter; also worth your attention are feats of engineering, such as the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, the oldest in Budapest and the first bridge to join both sides of the river (Buda and Pest). Curiously, it was also the first bridge on which the aristocracy had to pay a toll fee to use it.
Puente de las CadenasOther unique landmarks include Fisherman’s Bastion, from where you can enjoy some of the finest panoramic views of the Parliament building – situated on the Pest side – and museums such as the Military History Museum, the Pharmacy Museum, the Music History Museum and the Telephone Museum. Nor can you miss religious buildings such as Matthias church, which was built on the site where King Stephen built the first Christian place of worship in Hungary, and St Anne’s Church.
And, of course, it is impossible to forget the baths on the Buda side, which are a must-visit on a trip to the Hungarian capital. Three of the most historically important are situated in the area: Gellért, Rudas and Király. All of them are still in operation, offering unique thermal experiences in historical settings.
Exploring the different districts of Buda is a journey back in time along cobbled streets lined with historical buildings, art galleries and exclusive restaurants.
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