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some practical information for visiting Budapest

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Welcome to Budapest!

Budapest is definitely one of the most charming European cities. Located  in the heart of the Old Continent, it has always represented a meeting point for Anglo-Saxon, Slavian and Balkan populations, and a gathering point for cultures in Eastern Europe.

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and its main politic and economic centre, with an estimated population of about two million inhabitants over a total of 10 million Hungarians. The city has very old origins, even though over the course of the centuries it suffered from numerous destructions and reconstructions. After the retreat of the Turks between the XVII and XIX century, it was rebuilt in neoclassical style, then in baroque style, and finally in liberty style. A small exception to this is represented by the borough located on top of the hill behind the Castle, which was severely damaged during the last World War. The reconstruction works brought back to life numerous finds of the medieval age, which were restored and left exactly where they were found. Today these rests help giving the borough a similar aspect to what was supposed to be life many centuries ago.

Parlamentsgebäude - Il Parlamento

This preserved Medieval corner makes quite a contrast with the modern architecture which is gaining more and more space all over the city.
This mix of different styles and the co-existence of modern and old architecture is what makes Budapest so unique, whereas the hills surrounding the city and the gorgeous river Danube (which flows through it dividing the two areas of Buda and Pest) provide an added value to the landscape.

In the XVIII century the industrialization of the country was followed by the development of trade. Buda became the main military and administrative centre, and the seat of the most important university of Hungary. In the early years of the 19th century the first steady bridge on the river, the Chain bridge, connecting Buda with Pest, and the first railway line were built. Also, the steam navigation on the Danube began in this period. It was only in 1873 that the first unification of the city was approved, originating Budapest as we know it today.

With the proclaiming of the Republic after the Second World War and the breakdown of the Austro- Hungarian Empire, Budapest became the capital of the country. During the war the city was occupied by the Nazi troops and afterwards by the Allied Forces for more than two years, during which the majority of buildings and bridges were destroyed after the first retreat of the Nazis.
On 13th February 1945 the city was at last set free by the Red Army, and soon began the reconstruction and expansion of the suburban boroughs, which led to the current aspect of the city.

The urban structure of Budapest allows the visitor to easily orientate. Along the two banks of the river develop the two main roads which create a single arch, connected by the two bridges. The circular shape of the city resembles a wheel, where the rays are the streets and the various segments are the boroughs.

Buda is crossed by a long circular route, which goes from Margaret Bridge until Elisabeth Bridge, passing by the hill of the Fortress until the Petofi Bridge.
Pest is crossed by the small Boulevard, which goes from Elisabeth Bridge to Jozsef street, and from the Grand Boulevard from Margaret Bridge until the Petofi bridge. From the bridges also depart the main roads which cross the city in various points and connect it to the motorways.