Budapest Bridges

Bridges that unite Buda with Pest:

The Chain Bridge

The first permanent bridge over the Danube River. Count Istvan Szechenyi was forced to wait a week to be able to cross the River to be able to bury his father. When it was decided the construction of a permanent bridge over the River, architect William Clark oversaw the construction. The bridge was completed in 1849. Now it is a magnificent symbol of the city, lit during the night. In 1999, a grand ceremony marked 150 years since the construction of the bridge and then new reflectors were installed.

Elizabeth Bridge

The bridge carries the name of Queen Elizabeth, the beloved of the people. Originally built in Eclectic style, the bridge was destroyed so much by the German troops in 1945 that the rebuilding was out of the question. A new bridge was rebuilt later in its place trying to emulate the original.

Liberty Bridge

The bridge was built in 1896 as part of a series of monuments, built on the occasion of commemorating the 1,000 years of the arrival of the Hungarians in the Carpathian basin. The third bridge over the River, it was originally named after Francis Joseph: the King himself personally assisted when the last bridge post was put in place. Helpless in the face of destiny, the bridge was also destroyed during the war, but was later rebuilt.

Margaret Bridge

The second permanent bridge of Budapest, it was built between 1872 and 1876. It was based on the plans of a French architect. The bridge is supported in the middle by a pillar located on Margaret Island, the only section of the bridge that has been preserved from the original structure.

Margaret Island

The green patch of Budapest is called Margaret Island, located in the middle of the Danube between Margaret Bridge and the Arpad Bridge. Originally there were three islands, but the tides of the river joined them into an island of only 2, 5 km in length. The island has been inhabited since the Roman period. In the middle ages the monks have preferred it for the silence here and the Kings used it as an ideal hunting place. The island took the name Margret (Margaret), after the daughter of King Bela IV (Adalbert), who gave up the world and joined the monastery of nuns on the island after he survived the invasion by Tartars in the 13th-century. The Ottoman occupation from the 15th century put an end to the flourishing period through which the island was going through. After centuries of decline, the island was reborn in the 19th century when it became a park and recreation area, open to the public. Building the Margaret Bridge made it possible for those riding horses to come to the island.

Now here you can take walks or bike rides along the healthy island. It is also preferred by those who are running in the morning. Tourists can admire the Japanese, English and French gardens, which alternate with the ruins of the ancient monastery of nuns, and admire the old water tower. Here is also the largest pool discovered in Budapest-Palatinus, and a theater.

In the North of the island lies the hotel Margaret Island, surrounded by the modern Thermal Baths with the same name.

What To Do In Budapest

What To Do In Budapest

The metropolis of about two million inhabitants is divided by the Danube in two cities: Buda, with medieval houses, churches and cathedrals, and Pesta, with boulevards and elegant and impressive buildings, linked together by the 8 bridges. Attractions: the Parliament Building, Chain Bridge, the Opera House, Bastion, thermal baths and more. Danube is part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites; it is easy to understand if you have a chance to admire it during the evening when everything is lit up.

Budapest looks like this:

* Roman amphitheaters

* Turkish baths 400-year-old,

* 237 national monuments

* 223 museums and galleries, 40 theaters, 54 cinemas, concert halls,

* Over 200 venues with varied entertainment.

Here are some suggestions on what to do in Budapest and have a great time! 

Danube River cruises, day and night

The most beautiful panorama over the city is offered by taking a ride on the Danube. You can choose a cruise during the day and you will be able to enjoy including the island of Margarita, or you can choose to cruise the endless night when lights offer a unique show. During the cruise you can listen even in English (along with 29 other languages) legends of the Danube and of the attractions besides the passing ship. The hosts will serve you, of your choice, with a glass of wine, beer or juice. Ships are waiting for you in the Hotel Marriott and cost 3,600 forints for the day cruise, and 4,200 forints for the night cruise.

Budapest Card

It is a kind of "open Sesame!" to museums, transport, and other cultural events. Budapest Card Motto is "you have the whole city in your Pocket", because with it you have free and unlimited public transport, free entry to 60 museums and sights, city tour at half price, with price tickets reduced to shows and folklore programs, discounts in restaurants and thermal baths, car renting discounts, gymnasiums and other places. The card is valid for 48 hours for a cost of 4.350 forints or 72 hours and cost 5.450 forints. Each card is valid for an adult and a child up to 14 years old.

Sights in Buda:

The Royal Palace

It is located in the southern part of the Hill of the Castle as it is commonly referred the hill on which stand the main sights of Buda. The medieval Palace that was originally built here was destroyed during the Turkish invaders fights, only the walls of the fortress remaining to this day. These have been completed by a new and grand Palace in baroque style by Maria Theresa which was then expanded in the 19th century. The Palace itself was destroyed during the Second World War. "Unfortunately there is no place today in the Palace to allow visitors to take a look at the Grand apartments in the interiors of former Kings. Today, it functions as the headquarters of culture institutions and museums: the Hungarian National Gallery, the national Szechenyi Library, Museum of contemporary art and the Museum of the history of Budapest.

Matthias Church

The Church carries the name of King Matthias, who has been engaged twice in the altar. The Cathedral is almost as old as the Royal Palace and was the place of many crowning ceremonies. Each King and every era has left traces on the building of the Church before the Turkish invasion and the occupation of Buda in 1541. Then the Church was transformed into a mosque, and the chalk covered the medieval frescoes. Matthias Church took the form of the current at the end of the century when a lot of small buildings that were attached were demolished, and the Church was rebuilt in a neo-Gothic style. Besides the biblical scenes, the frescoes depict the most important passages in the history of Hungary. The magnificent acoustics makes it for many concerts to take place here.

Tourist attractions in Pesta:

The Parliament

Built at the end of the century, the building of the Parliament quickly became a symbol of Budapest and of the Danube Panorama. A typical Eclectic building, patterned with many small statues made of stone, is one of the most decorated buildings of the capital. It is one of the largest buildings in the world. Majestic stone lions flank the main entrance, followed by a staircase that leads into the City Room, where they keep the most elegant receptions. Two wings open up here, for the two chambers of the Parliament upper House and the lower House.

Opera

Budapest is proud to have one of the most beautiful Opera buildings in the world. The Renaissance-style building was completed in 1884 after nine years of construction. The main stairs were decorated with frescoes ny three great Hungarian painters: Seema Szekely, Die Than and Károly Lotz. The composer Puccini himself conducted the premieres of two works here.

It's worth a visit even if you're not a big fan of this musical genre.

Vaci Street(Vaci Utca)

This was the first street in Budapest that banned cars, becoming the most popular commercial Street. This is the shopping street and the promenade in Budapest. In the middle of the day and of course the evening, walking on the Vaci street has become the most fashionable trend of the last century, shopping here have become more expensive, and over time, only the top fashion houses opened stores here.

Find out more about what to do in Hungary!