Contents:

• Greetings
   
• Datas from Budapest
   
• Useful words
   
• Useful links

Greetings!

Hi everyone!

First I would like to say wellcome to you all!
I hope we will make your stay wellcome in Budapest!

If you need help please writte a letter to rubikkocka@gmail.com

We can help you in almost anything. For example:
- Getting from the airport to your hotel
- Organising sight-seeing.
- Guiding trough Budapest (it would be our pleasure)
- Help you find a good hotel/ hostel
- Help you in travelling inside Budapest
- etc.

If you are in Budapest, in emergency, you can call this number (It is me :) )!
Olivér Nagy
+36 30/ 60-68-981
rubikkocka@gmail.com

Or you can contact  the folowing cubers:

Kolos Kántor:
+36 30/ 594-84-64
kkbp@freemail.hu

Mátyás Kuti:
+36 20/ 597-15-40
shaipo@citromail.hu

Gábor Róka
+36 70/ 575-86-02
rocka.ijt@vipmail.hu

Dániel Márk
+36 20/ 936-62-56
loldma@gmail.com

Datas from Budapest:

Area: 525 km2 (Buda 173 km2 Pest 352 km2)
Width: 25 km
Length: 29km
Population: 1.900.000 people
Number of bridges: 9
Number of areas 23
The length of the Danube in Budapest: 28 km
 

The history of Budapest starts on the Buda side when Celts settled on Gellért Hill well before the birth of Christ. Romans expand the empire's frontiers in the 1st century A.D. and occupied this territory. Aquincum, the Roman settlement, became the main city of Pannonia province. The ruins of Roman roads, amphitheatres, bastions and fortified strongholds still exists in Óbuda district.

In the 9th-10th century Magyars settled in the territory, including the today's Pest City Centre, which once was the large island. After the Tatar invasion in the 13th century, King Béla IV ordered the construction of stone walls around the towns and set his royal palace on the hills of Buda. In the Middle Ages there were two separate towns on two sides of the river: the famous Buda and Pest - the city of merchants.

In 1541 the teritory was captured by the Turks. The Turkish occupation lasted nearly 150 years and unfortunately left much destruction and just a few attractions from that time, such as Turkish thermal baths. Some of the baths built in Budapest during the Turkish occupation are still used today, like the Király Baths, Rác Baths, and Rudas Baths.

While the town's development was abruptly halted under Turks occupation, after its liberation, in the early eighteenth century, it received independent city rights and slow recovery of the city begun. The 19th century brought major developments of the city, furthered by the rebirth of commerce. Austro-Hungarian Monarchy was formed in 1867. which significantly contributed to the developement of the Budapest and the whole country.

The modern Budapest was born in 1873 when Buda, Óbuda (Ancient Buda) and Pest were officially joined, thus creating the new metropolis of Budapest. The city was rapidly growing and by the turn of the century became the country's administrative, political, economic, trade and cultural center. It was also a genuine rival to Vienna and become renown as the "Queen of the Danube" and the "Paris of Central Europe".

But Buda and Pest, even today, still create an interesting contrast. Hilly Buda is situated in the west, with its narrow cobbled streets and mixture of medieval and neo-classical buildings, while the flat Pest lies to the east, with its wide boulevards and Art Deco styles.

Budapest, capital of Hungary, with its fascinating history, renown for its incredible architecture and rich cultural heritage as well as wonderful atmosphere, provides a unique experience for visitors to this great city. Budapest is also a cultural Mecca, often called "Festival City" regarding it's long tradition of numerous notable festivals not to be missed.

Places to visit in Budapest

• Váci Street
• Hungarian National Museum
• Synagogue
• St. Stephen's Basilica
• Castle District
• Fishermen's Bastion
• Matthias Church
• The Cave System
• Royal Palace
• The Parliament and its treasures
• The Heroes' square
• The Gellért hill and the Citadel
• Margaret Island
• The Millenaris Park

Váci Street

Váci ucta was formed in the 18th century but most houses date back to the 19th and early 20th century. In the last century Váci Street became famous for its mid-day and evening promenades and as the shopping centre.

Hungarian National Museum

A few minutes further on is the Hungarian National Museum, where Hungarian history is presented from the foundation of the state up until 1990. The museum became one of the 1848-49 revolution's symbols, as it played the major role in the revolution. The Hungarian National Museum is one of the finest examples of Hungarian Classicism. The Hungarian Holy Crown and the Crown Jewels was seen here, but on 1 of january 2000 were moved to the Parlament.

Synagogue

Budapest synagogue is the world's second largest and Europe's largest synagogue. It was built in the 19th century in Romantic style for the around 30,000 Jewish community of Pest. The Jewish Museum is in the adjacent building. Next to the main building lie the arcades of the Jewish Heroes' Mausoleum and Temple in memory of the thousands of Jews who died during the Second World War.

St. Stephen's Basilica

St. Stephen's Basilica, the largest church of the capital, is northward along the boulevard Karoly kürtuz, lined with stores, restaurants and cafés. Although its construction begin much earlier, was finally consecrated in 1905, as it was disrupted by Independence war, death of the two architects, and even the collapse of the dome. It took 60 years to build St. Stephen's Basilica, dedicated to King St. Stephen- founder of the Hungarian State and Christian Church in Hungary. A grandiose cupola, with the unique 360-degree circular lookout, offers visitors beautiful view of the city from from a height of 65 meters.

Castle District

The Castle District is one of the most romantic pedestrian sections in Budapest. It is The Old Town, where commoners lived in the Middle Ages, with winding streets filled with many interesting buildings in various styles, gas lamps and beautiful monuments. The parallel streets run along to the top of the Castle Hill to Kapisztran ter and the War History Museum.

Fishermen's Bastion

Fishermen's Bastion is on the east side of the hill. It was completed in 1905, on the site of a former fish market. Some sources claim that it name came after fish market while others claim it was named after the fishermen defending it in the Middle Ages. In any case, it is an excellent lookout place, which offer a panoramic view of Pest and Parliament building.

Matthias Church

Matthias church was named after King Matthias, who married twice in it. The church is almost as old as the Royal Palace and its medieval frescos were preserved because the Turks whitewashed it when converting the temple into a mosque after Buda occupation. The church was reconstructed in characteristic neo-Gothic style at the turn of the century. Today it is a popular concert venue because of its magnificent acoustics.

The Cave System

Almost every house in Castle Hill has cellars several stores deep running down into the hill. These cellars were connected into a several-kilometre-long corridor system in the Middle Ages, which served for quick relocation of defending troops during the war. One section of the cellar system was reconstructed into the Labyrinth of the Buda Castle.

Royal Palace

Immediately south of the Old Town is the Royal Palace. The Royal Palace was destroyed, rebuilt and redesigned at least half a dozen times over the past seven centuries. The medieval palace was destroyed during the battles against Turkish invaders, leaving only the fortified walls. New Baroque palace was started by Maria-Theresa and than expanded in the 19th century. The Palace was destroyed completely during the Second World War. The Royal Palace that can be seen today is an 18th and early 20th century blend reconstructed after the last war. Today, it houses the impressive cultural institutions and museums: Hungarian National Gallery, the National Széchényi Library, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Budapest History Museum.

The Parliament and its treasures

Built between 1885 and 1904 the Parliament building soon became the symbol of the Hungarian capital. Not just becuse its sheer size – nearly 18000 square metres – but because of its detailed decoration, inside splendour and eclectic diversity. It is the most expensive building ever built in Hungary. It has 691 rooms, 10 courtyards, 27 gates and 29 staircases. It also houses a public library with 500.000 volumes. The walls from outside are decorated by the statues of the most important historical figures of Hungary.

Until the 19th century the Hungarian diet held its sessions on various places in the country, depending on which part was not under occupation or foreign rule. Since its handover, the Parliament is the seat of the leading governmental bodies. In Hungary the legislative body is unicameral.

Visiting the parlament: Guided tours in English daily at 10.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00. Tickets can be purchased at Gate X. (Kossuth square side), the visit lasts about 50 minutes. During the tour the Main Staircase, the Dome Hall, the Coronation Jewels, the Deputy Council Chamber or the former session room of the Upper House can be seen.

The Heroes' square

The Heroes’ square is one of the most visited sights of the Hungarian capital, it is situated at in front of the City Park, at the end of the Andrássy Avenue, one of the most important streets of Budapest, a World Heritage site. The millenial monument was built in 1896 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the arrival of Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin. The monument consists of two semi-circles on the top of which the symbols of War and Peace, Work and Wellfare, Knowledge and Glory can be seen.

The niches are decorated by the statues of kings, governors and famous characters of the Hungarian history. At the foot of each statue a small relief depicts the most important moment of the life of the personality.

In the middle of Heroes' square stands a 36 metres high corinthian column with the statue of Archangel Gabriel on the top, the symbol of the Roman Catholic religion. At the pedestal the equestrian statues commemorate Árpád and the seven chieftains of the Hungarian tribes, who settled their people in the present territory of Hungary. His decendants formed the Hungarian royal dinasty.

The tomb of the unknown soldier can also be found in the square.

At the two sides the representative buildings of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Gallery of Art both worth a visit. Since the last couple of years, the two museums have been competing for the attention of visitors with high standard temporary exhibitions, such as Van Gogh, Rembrandt and the collections of Spanish and French paintings.

The Gellért hill and the Citadel

The Gellért hill received its name after St. Gellért who came to Hungary as a missionary bishop upon the invitation of King St. Stephen I. around 1000 a.d. His task was helping the Hungarians convert to Christianity. Some pagan leaders who did not want to convert captured St. Gellért and rolled him down from the hill in a barrel. The St. Gellért monument  and fountain representing his martyrdom can be found on the Northeastern slope of the hill facing the Elisabeth bridge.

The fortress of the Citadel was built by the Habsburgs in 1851 to demonstrate their control over the Hungarians. The top of the Gellért Hill is a strategical point from where they had an overview of both Buda and Pest. Though it was equipped with 60 cannons, it was used as threat rather than a working fortification. After the reconciliation with the Habsburgs the Hungarians wanted to demolish the buildings, but after all it did not happen. In the mid 20th century it was converted to a tourist center. From the panorama terraces one can have a stunning view of the city.

By a short walk one can reach the Liberation Monument . The statue was erected in 1947 after the second world war. The main figure is a woman, holding an olive branch, the symbol of peace in her hands. On both sides symbolic figures can be seen: the young man's victory over the dragon represents the defeat of fascism.

The Citadel can be reached by bus 27 from Móricz Zsigmond körtér.

Margaret Island

Margitsziget (Margaret Island) is a huge island between the two bridges: Margit-híd and Árpád-híd. Apart from some hotels it is not inhabited, serves as a recreational area for the people of Budapest. Originally it consisted of three separate islands, that were artificially connected. It has a surface of 96 acres and a lenght of 2500 metres. It is a protected and traffic free area giving home to several rare plants and to the famous sycamore trees.

Many architectural relics can be found here e.g. remnants of the Dominican cloister, where the Saint princess Margaret once lived. The island was actually named after her.

The most interesting sights on the island are the Water Tower, the music fountain, the mini zoo and the Japanese garden. Many recreational facilities such as the athletics centre, the Hajós Alfréd swimmingpool and Palatinus open-air swimmingpool are at the visitors' disposal.

Walking along the island one can find several smaller fountains, statues and relics, 2-3 hours can be pleasantly spent in this green oasis. Bicycles and 4-wheelers can be rented too.

The Millenaris Park

The Millenaris Park is a modern cultural complex with exhibition halls, theater, galleries and a cafÉ surrounded by a well-maintained uniquely designed park. The park with its small pond and play-ground is very popular among families with small children. The former industry buildings were transformed to host scientific and cultural events.

The House of Future is an exhibition area with 3000sqm, the frequently changing topics embrace genetic research through astronautics to astronomy.

The Palace of Miracles is a playful, interactive exhibition. A kind of mixture of a museum, playground, school, cultural- and amusement center. It presents scientific and natural phenomena interactively. The exhibited objects try to proove that the world is interesting. In every autumn the main theme of the exhibitions changes but some popular attraction eg. monocycle, moonwalk and some installations stay there.

Useful worlds:

The links are the voices of the pronunciations of the words!
They are from:


(on-line dictionary)

Useful links:

Travell inside Budapest (with Public transport BKV):
http://www.bkv.hu/english/home/index.html 

Routing (with Public transport, car, and by feet):
http://www.utvonalterv.hu/?appID=1832_12052135_1552419468&lang=en  

Webcams:
http://www.budapestinfo.hu/hu/webcam
http://www.citylive.hu/

Museums:

National Galery:
http://www.mng.hu/en

Natural History Museum:
http://www.nhmus.hu/index.php?newlang=english

House of Terror:
Having survived two terror regimes, it was felt that the time had come for Hungary to erect a fitting memorial to the victims, and at the same time to present a picture of what life was like for Hungarians in those times.
http://wwwold.terrorhaza.hu/index3.html?PHPSESSID=c0852f2fa4fbb0229679ff8736bcef7d

Wether: (CNN)
http://weather.cnn.com/weather/forecast.jsp?locCode=BUDX&zipCode=883723966888

And if you want to know something abaut Budapest, this is a song written by a famous Hungarian performer:
Emil.rulez!: Hello tourist:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kNLBLXpNQ88
It is good for ideas for sight-seeing! But it is made just for FUN!!!

I hope You will enjoy Budapest, and of corse the WC 2007!

See You in Budapest!

Olivér Nagy
Sept. 2007