The "Habsburg Empire" turned into a Dual Monarchy of Austria and Hungary in 1867. Budapest became the capital of Hungary. Therefor a Parliament Building was designed by hungarian architect Imre Steindl, on the Riverbank of the Danube. The 268 m long Parliament building "Országház" was opened in 1904.  

Kossuth tér

The "Fisherman's Bastion" was built by Frigyes Schulek in 1902. Previously the fish market was situated here and the fishermen had to defend this section of the city wall. The tent-like towers recall the origins of Hungarian civilization, that originated from Asian horsemen. From the Bastion you have a beautiful view over the Danube and the city of "Pest".

Szentháromság tér

The "Szent István" Saint Stephen Memorial commemorates the first king of Hungary, who ruled the country from 1000 until 1038. Stephen I was married to the Bavarian duke's daughter Gisela and was crowned with the blessing of the Pope. He is considered a national saint, because he christianized the Magyars. His memorial day is the Hungarian National day. The equestrian statue of Saint Stephen stands on a white base at the Fishermen's Bastion.

Szentháromság tér

The "Mátyás templom" Matthias Church is the oldest church on the castle hill and said to have been founded by "Stephen I". Under the rule of King "Bela IV" a Romanesque church was built in 1269, which was already transformed into a three naves gotic church in 1370. At "Matthias Church" three Hungarian kings were crowned. After the Turks conquered Budapest in 1541 the "Matthias Church" became the main mosque of the Ottomans. After the reconquest of Budapest by the "Holy League" in 1686, the church was so badly damaged that it was rebuilt in Baroque style. Nowadays you can discover Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque style elements.

Szentharomsag ter

The Gothic royal residence was built in 1242 on the mountain above the Danube river. In 1686 the Buda Castle was destroyed during the expulsion of the Turks and then rebuilt. In 1945 the palace was destroyed by the Germans. The "Budavári palota" was again rebuilt and now houses various museums.

Szent György tér

The place in the center of Budapest was named after the national poet Mihaly Vörösmarty. On the square stands a monument for the poet and the representatives of Hungarian society built in 1926. The pedestrian zone "Váci utca" also ends on the square.

Vörösmarty tér

The Hungarian Academy of Sciences (Magyar Tudományos Akadémia) was built in neo-Renaissance style in 1864 by the german architect Friedrich August Stüler . The Great Hall of the Academy is remarkable.

Széchenyi István tér

Construction of the "Hungarian State Opera" (Magyar Állami Operaház) began in 1875. The work of the Hungarian architect Miklós Ybl was officially opened in 1884. The neo-renaissance opera was built for 1,200 spectators and is known for its outstanding acoustics.

Andrássy út 22

www.opera.hu

The Millennium Monument (Millenniumi emlékmü) was decided to mark the 1,000th anniversary of the Hungarian conquest in 1896 and was erected in 1929. Archangel Gabriel stands on a victory pillar and holds the crown of Hungary in the sky. The square is bordered by two semicircular arcades towards the park, while the square is open towards the city. Hungary presents itself as a victorious equestrian people. In fact, the Hungarian conquest was more of an escape from the Bulgarians, who drove the Magyars from the Carpathians in 896. The peoples who lived in the Pannonian Plain at that time were driven out by the Hungarians or they adapted to the new rulers.

Hösök tere

The "Vajdahunyad Castle" in the city park was built for the "Millennium Exhibition" in 1896. Ignác Alpár, the architect, added elements from different buildings and periods of the Hungarian history to a fanciful building complex. 

Vajdahunyad  vár

www.vajdahunyadcastle.com

The largest spa in Europe is also one of the most beautiful baths on the continent. The bathing house opened in 1913, was named after the state reformer István Széchenyi. Very impressive is the 2,000 square meter outdoor pool.

Kós Károly sétány

www.szechenyibad.hu

The Széchenyi lánchíd bridge was built between 1839-1849 and, like the famous bath, it was named after the reformer István Széchenyi, who was very active in the construction of the bridge. The 375 m long bridge was planned by the English engineer William Tierney Clark.

Széchenyi lánchíd

St. Stephen's Basilica Szent István Bazilika is the tallest church in Budapest with a hight of 96 m. The construction began in 1851, the neoclassical church was inaugurated according to the plans of Miklós Ybl in 1905. In the church you can see the most important relic of Hungary, the mummified arm of Szent István (Stefan I). Those who visit the church should not miss the breathtaking view from the tower on the danube and the centre of Budapest.

Szent István tér

en.bazilika.biz/actuality/?cpg=1