"0" km Stone The “0” km Stone statue is situated on the Clark Adam square. In Hungary the road distances are measured from this point. In 1975, Miklós Borsos created this 3 m high limestone statue. The Budavár Funicular Lift can also be found on this place, but we can have a magnificent view on the Chain Bridge and the Angel emblem is also situated on the wall of the castle.

  Budapest, Clark Ádám tér

Batthyany Eternal night-light

Count Lajos Batthyány, the president of the first responsible Hungarian government, was sentenced to death by the Austrians, and to commemorate this event, on the place of the execution an eternal night-light was set up in 1926. At the inauguration of the monument, the last solder of 1848 who still lived, István Lebó participated too.

  Budapest, Báthory utca

Bodor Well

The Bodor-well is situated on the north side of the Margaret Island, its name is originated from a Székely jack of all trades, Péter Bodor. The master made the well in 1820 to the people of Marosvásárhely. On the Island, the well which is the replica of the original, was built in 1936.

We also call it as musical-well because it plays tunes every hour. The original was sounded by a machine driven by water. The gilt Neptun statue on the dome went round under a sun on the top of the well.

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Centenary monument for the union of Pest-Buda

At the south entrance of the Margaret Island (at the Margaret Bridge), in front of the big fountain can be found the statue which was made for the 100th anniversary of the unification of Budapest. According to the law to unify the three cities (Pest, Buda, Óbuda) which was decided in 1872, the towns which were till then separated, exist together from 1st January 1873. as Budapest. The real unification of the capital was only 17th November 1873, because the new administration started to work from this date. The 10m high statue was made by István Kiss.

Chain Bridge The 375 metres long bridge is the oldest one in the capital – older then Budapest itself as it was established only in 1872 with the union of Buda, Pest and Óbuda. Between the two towns – Buda and Pest – there used to be an interim turning-bridge, than a pontoon-bridge but these became unable to fulfill the needs of the capital. The construction of the Chain Bridge is bound to the name of István Széchenyi, who was a rich aristocrat of the period. The bridge was built between 1939 and 1949, its entrances are guarded by two lions made of stone. Later in World War II the Germans exploded it while assaulting Budapest, the traffic restarted only in November 1949. The Chain Bridge is the most beautiful bridge in Budapest; it creates a connection between the

former city central around the castle and Pest. On the occasion of festivals the bridge is floodlighted, this time the stone pillars illuminate like torches in the Budapest night.

Fisherman’s Bastion The Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the most famous points of the Buda Castle, which was set up by Frigyes Schulek in 1901-1902. Here used to stand the bastions of a former fishermen’s guild in the Middle Ages. The Neoromanesque style bastion-line never had defending functions; it is more likely to be a piece of decoration which gives a nice frame for the Castle’s building and serves as a staircase up to the Castle Area. On the occasion

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of festivals the white bastion is sparkling in the floodlight; its domed, lacy corridors make it look like a fairy-tale castle, which can be seen from the whole eastern side of the Danube. Both the Fisherman’s Bastions itself and the superb panorama opening from here attract amateur photographers. In the evening when tourist groups have already moved to the pleasant restaurants teen-aged couples visit the Fisherman’s Bastion to have their first kisses in this magnificent place.

Transportation: Buda side, Castle bus, Bus No. 16 - Trinity Square (Szentháromság tér)

Freedom Square The historical monument was erected for the 1000th anniversary of the state foundation. Here used to be the main entrance of the Millennium’s World Fair. The constructions of the impressive memorial lasted for several decades, between 1894 and 1929. The first figure to erect was the statue of Genius standing at the top of the huge column in 1901, surrounded by the equestrian statues of Árpád and the Seven Leaders on the plinth. Statues of Hungarian rulers and great persons decorate the semicircular monument while under these various events of their lives can be seen on relieves. In front of the main column the memorial of heroes and martyrs of the revolution was placed. The square is bordered by the Museum of Fine Arts and the Hall of Arts.

Transportation: M1 to Heroes’ Square (Hősök tere), Bus No. 4

Gellért Hill Only few capitals in the world can pride itself on such a fantastic geological situation as Budapest. From the top of the hill situated in the centre the whole city can be observed. A broad staircase, which was partly damaged in World War II, drives up to the peak of the 250 metres tall hill from the river Danube. The reconstruction of the steps is planned to be performed together with the renovation of Elisabeth Bridge (Erzsébet-híd), anyway, it offers a pleasant trip for visitors up to the top. Right after the start tourists can find the statue of Bishop Gellért who – according to the legend – was thrown to the Danube by the pagans. At the top of the hill you can find the former fortress of Buda, the famous Citadel. It was set up by the government of Vienna in 1851 which wanted to take control over Hungarian rebels. Here used to stand the

observatory of the University of Budapest between 1814 and 1849.The 35 metres tall Freedom’s Statue was erected in the southeastern corner of the Citadel in 1946-47. It is a perfect place for the memorial as it can be seen from almost every part of the city. At the top of the memorial the allegoric figure of freedom, a woman raises the palm

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branch of victory. Under the memorial a passage goes round, from where Budapest looks like a vital, ever-moving, buzzing map, like two sites of an enormous illustrated book.

Transportation: Bus No. 16, 86, 106 – Clark Ádám Square; Tram No. 17, 41 – Chain Bridge (Lánchíd); Bus No. 16, 105, Tram No. 2 – Roosevelt Square

Heroes’ Square The historical monument was erected for the 1000th anniversary of the state foundation. Here used to be the main entrance of the Millennium’s World Fair. The constructions of the impressive memorial lasted for several decades, between 1894 and 1929. The first figure to erect was the statue of Genius standing at the top of the huge column in 1901, surrounded by the equestrian statues of Árpád and the Seven Leaders on the plinth. Statues of Hungarian rulers and great persons decorate the semicircular monument while under these various events of their lives can be seen on relieves. In front of the main column the memorial of heroes and martyrs of the revolution was placed. The square is bordered by the Museum of Fine Arts and the Hall of Arts.

Transportation: M1 to Heroes’ Square (Hősök tere), Bus No. 4

Hungarian Academy of Sciences The enormous palace of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences is a fascinating endpoint of our walking trip at the bank of the Danube. It was built in northern-italic renaissance style based on the planning of August Friedrich Stühler, an architect of Vienna. The huge bronze relief on the Akadémia Street side of the building shows István Széchenyi founding the Academy. The Hungarian Academy of Sciences is the most important cultural institute of our country, the centre of the intellectual life. The inside decorations are worthy of this glorious institute. The aula is covered by the paintings from Károly Lotz while the walls of the smaller rooms are decorated with Antal Ligeti’s landscapes. With its 900 thousand pieces of book stock the Academic Library has one of the richest collections in Hungary. Lots of valuable printings, codices

and manuscripts from classical writers are held here. The famous Goethe room, Vörösmarty room and the Széchenyi museum was destroyed in World War II.Today the Academy has ten departments, and according to its constitution the number of members under the age of 70 cannot exceed 200.

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Hungarian National Museum

The Hungarian National Museum was founded by Ferenc Széchenyi in 1802 who offered his collection of 15 thousand books, 12 thousand printings and one thousand valuable manuscripts to the Nation. The museum palace was designed by the great Hungarian architect, Mihály Pollack. The 108 metres long and 70 metres wide museum was built between 1837 and 1847. Eight Corinthian columns hold the neoclassical frontage which is decorated by allegoric figures. In March 15 of 1948 Sándor Petőfi recited his poem – the National Hymn (Nemzeti dal) – at the main staircase of the museum. This occasion is rendered on a memorial tablet in the wall of the stairs. In the inner staircase Pál Vasvári’s relief was placed, who was a leader of the youth in 1848 and who died in the War of Independence.The Hungarian National Museum holds the country’s largest

and most significant historical, natural scientific, mineralogical and archeological collection. A fascinating, large park surrounds the museum where several rare species of trees and bushes can be found. The shadowed paths are edged by many beautiful statues.

Transportation: Tram No. 47- 49; Metro No. 2 Astoria (5 minutes walk), Metro No. 3 – Kálvin SquareOpening hours: from Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 – 18:00

 (+36-1) 338-2122   Budapest, Múzeum körút 14-16.

 http://www.hnm.hu

Hungarian State Opera House The Neorenaissance Opera House was built between 1875 and 1884 based on the planning of Miklós Ybl. Its statues and paintings were made by the best artists of that time, Károly Lotz, Árpád Feszty, Bertalan Székely, Mór Than and Alajos Stróbl. The main entrance is surrounded by two statues; on the left hand side we can see Ferenc Erkel while on the right hand side Ferenc Liszt (the two major figures of the Hungarian musical history). The opera was opened for the public on September 25 in 1884; its first music director was Ferenc Erkel. The Hungarian State Opera is one of the most splendid theatres in the world; its technical equipment is still up-to-date.Transportation: M1 to Opera

  Budapest, Andrássy út 22.  http://www.opera.hu

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Kossuth Lajos Statue On the next day of the death of Lajos Kossuth (21st March 1894), the Budapest City Council motioned the setting up of a Kossuth-statue. The statue finally got ready by 1927. That statue was dismantled in 1952.

The middle figure of the today’s statue of the square is the 5 metres high Lajos Kossuth. The 4 metres high side figures – countrywoman with children, farmer with cast-off poling, soldier, worker with weapon, student with sword, horseherd in loose-fitting trousers with weapon – are situated on the left and right side of the statue composition.

Budapest, Kossuth Lajos tér

Margaret Island

Only few capitals in the world can pride itself on such a huge uninhabited island just in the middle of the crowded city as it is in Budapest. The two and a half kilometers long Margaret Island is one of the major cultural and sports centres of Budapest. Its history goes back to the Ancient Times. It is well known from manuscripts that one of the commanders of Aquincum also constructed his summer palace in the magnificent island. Later – about 800 years ago – the archbishop of Esztergom replaced his palace to the same area as well. For hundreds of years the island was inhabited by priests and nuns. The name of the island was constantly changing. First it was called the Island of Lords, then it changed for Island of Hares, later again it got the name of Island of the Girl. Its present name was given from the

daughter of King IV. Béla, Margaret, who died in the convent of the island. The Turks used the ecclesiastical buildings of the island for military purposes. In 1796 the island became the propriety of Palatine József, who raised a villa here and contributed to the development of the island. At this era the island was also called Palatinus Island. The most famous visitor of the island was János Arany, who frequently spent his holiday here with his family, and wrote the finest poems of his old-age period under the oaks of the island.Anyway, the island is not only an ideal field for walking and thinking of arts and history, but it offers various opportunities for sports.Walking along we find the Palatinus beach, which was constructed in 1921. Its huge pool, the several smaller thermal pools and the wave-pool make it one of Budapest’s

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largest beaches. In the fascinating ambience of the island more open-air theatres can be found, most significant of them is the one located next to the water tower. More major operas and dramas appear on its stage at summer time.

Matthias-Church Matthias-Church is one of the most famous landmarks in Hungary. The construction of the Romanesque style church happened between 1255 and 1269, during the reign of IV. Béla. This was the place where the papal bull ordering the midday bell toll in memoriam of the victory on the Turkish army at Nándorfehérvár was announced. King Matthias (Mátyás) held his wedding ceremony here with his first and second wives, Katalin Podjebrad and Betrix. (The church was named after the king’s wedding). The Turkish conquerors also held the building in great respect; Sultan Suleiman gave the thanksgiving ceremony here in 1541 after the occupation of Buda Castle.In the 15th century the church was reconstructed and since then several changes have been done as well. The inside of the church is decorated by frescos from Károly Lotz and Bertalan Székely. The church serves as a concert-hall in summer.

Transportation: Buda side, Castle bus, Bus No. 16 – Trinity Square (Szentháromság tér)Opening hours: Monday - Friday:9:00 -17:00; Saturday: 9:00 - 12:00; Sunday: 13:00 - 17:00Entrance fee: 450 -1100 HUF

 +36-1-355-5657   Budapest, Szentháromság tér 2.

 http://www.matyas-templom.hu

Shoes on the bank of the Danube statue composition

This statue composition can be found on the down-quay of Pest, close to the Parliament. It was inaugurated on the 16th April 2005 on the Pest side of the river Danube. This monument commemorates to those who where shot in to the Danube in 1944-45 by the Hungarian nazi. Gyula Pauer, who won the Kossuth-prize and Can Togay put into shape 60 pairs of period shoes made of iron (from the 40s). Behind the shoes mounted to the quarry stone of the border of the bank, runs a 40 metres long stone bench.

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St. Stephan’s Basilica

Hungary’s largest religious building has a capacity for admitting 8500 people. Its cupola is 96 metres tall and 22 metres in diameter. Between 1845 and 1847 József Hild started to build it and he was the one who directed the constructions between 1855 and 1867. In 1868 the cupola was collapsed. After the death of Hild, Miklós Ybl continued the constructions based on his own planning yet the project was finished by József Kauser. According to the general opinion the floodlighting of the Basilica is insufficient. Due to this circumstance the academic statues of the building are nearly always hidden, they sparkle mysteriously at night. In the inside we can find masterpieces from the most significant Hungarian painters. The statue of the temple’s patron saint, St. Stephen – made by Alajos Stóbl - stands behind the high altar. We can see him above the main entrance as well. The

mosaics of the church were made in a workshop in Venice based on the planning of Hungarian painters. Under the basilica a large catacomb is extending – many Hungarian scripts and treasures survived here the world war.

Transportation : Metro No. 3 – Arany János Street; Metro No. 1, 2, 3, Tram No. 47, 49 – Deák Ferenc Square (5 minutes walk); Bus No. 16, 105 – Erzsébet Square (5 minutes walk)

 (+36)-1-317-2859   Budapest, Hercegprímás u. 7.

 http://www.basilica.hu

St.Stephen's mummified hand"The Holy Right"

The Holy Right is the right hand remained intact of Stephen I. During the discord for the throne after the death of Saint Stephen, the chapter of Fehérvár was worried for that the dead body might be desecrated so that he made set out the body of the marble sarchopagus of the Basilica and hid it in to the graveyard. At this moment the mummified right hand was detached and carried to the treasury of the basilica. The custodian of the treasury, Merkur appropriated and hid it. In 1083, when the procedure to saint Stephen was passed off, Laszlo I had heard about the relic and visited Merkur on his domain in Bihar where he kept the relic, the king forgave him and founded the “Holy Right” abbey here to guard the relic of which the settlement Szentjobb (Holy Right – today it is in Romania) got its name.During the second world war the Germans took away the

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relic with crown jewelleries to a cave in Salzburg. The American army pitched up and returned it to Hungary. On 20th August 1987., the Szent Jobb Chapel was consecrated in the Saint Stephen Basilica and the relic was set here. On the 950. anniversary of the death of Stephen, the Holy Right was carried around the country, it was presented in residences of the primacies and episcopates, and at Pannonhalma as well. From 1989, the procession has been organised every year on 20th August.

Statue of Anonymus

The statue can be found in the XIV district, in Városliget, on the Széchenyi-Island (Vajdahunyad castle). The 1,9m high bronze statue was made in 1903 by Miklós Ligeti. The “Anonymus” is a Latin word, it means nameless in

translation. We call like this that history author who wrote the prehistory and the settlement of the Hungarians in his creation called Gesta Hungarorum, but we have no more further information neither of his name nor of his personality. Budapest, Városliget

The Buda Castle The foundations of the old castle were laid by IV. Béla in 1255. The old fortress was replaced by a palace during the reign of King and Emperor Zsigmond (1387-1437) which was broadened by King Mátyás (1458-1490). During the 150-year Turkish occupation the palace fell into ruin then Hillebrandt reconstructed it in Baroque style during the reign of Mária Terézia (1740-1780). The new building could also not avoid its destiny; it was destroyed in the conflagration after the assault of 1849. The reconstruction made at the turn of the century hid totally the old walls which turned up again only later. The construction was finished in 1904 according to the plans of Miklós Ybl and Alajos Hauszmann. At the end of World War II German troops were pushed here and after the assault of Budapest the palace burnt totally down.

At the present time three major museums and the Széchenyi István Library operates in it. Among the curiosities of the library the 32 pieces of Corvina, the Pray-codex, the Gestas of Anonymus and the Szenci-Codex can be found here as well. The book stock of Kossuth, Deák and other leading figures of the Hungarian history are held in a separate collection. Transportation: Buda side, from Moszkva Square Bus No. 15, Castle bus, Furnicular lift, Bus No. 16, 105 from Deák Square to Clark Ádám Square then walking to the castle

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The Citadella at Gellert Hill The Citadella, the fortress on the top of the Gellért Hill, which was set up after the repressing of the war of independence of 1848-49, in 1854 by the Habsburgs. The Gellért Hill with the Castle Hill, the panorama of the two sides of the river Danube were pronounced to be part of the world heritage in 1987 by the UNESCO.The 220 meters long, with 12-16 meters high walls was built by Julius Jakob Haynau. Its speciality is that out of an ordinary fortress, it wasn’t constructed to protect the town below, but on the contrary: the rule of the Citadella (the citadella is an Italian word, it means fortification, which is similar to a castle, built on high ground or defensible parts compassed around with walls on the highest point of the city) was to intimidate the people of Pest. The emplacements, which turn towards the town, also certify these facts, but fortunately the guns were used only for firing

salutes.After the experiences of the siege of Buda castle in 1849, the court-martial of Vienna came to a decision that instead of the Buda castle which was behind the times, a well-defensible system of fortress had to be built around Budapest - its aim was to put a check on the Hungarian people being disposed to revolutions. Its first fortification was established on the Gellért-Hill in 1850 (Ferenc József emperor authorised 200000 Forint to cover the costs). According to the plans, behind the battlements of the 220 meters long, 60 meters wide, 4 meters thick walls to defend the fortress, 60 modern guns could be located. Four years later, the Austrian army could march in the casemates whose guns looked darkly towards the Pest side of the Danube. The other parts of the fortress have never been built. With the accord of 1867, the military aim of the Citadella was lost, but the army left the fortress only in 1899.Its last use for military actions was to protect Budapest in 1944-45 during the Second World War against the Red Army, when the fortress served as anti-aircraft base for the Germans and Hungarians, in its casemates storages and injured-centre were created. During the battles, the defensive parts were damaged and those signs can be seen even today.From the 60s, the fortress has been given a tourism role that’s why it was transformed: a hotel and a restaurant were opened there. Its main charm in great part due to the wonderful sight from its walls: the view of the extending city under the mountain is really impaired.The Liberty Statue is situated on the Eastern part of the Citadella. Now a restaurant and a hotel are running on the territory of the citadella, and a waxworks about the siege of 1944 can be seen in the casemates. The “Budapest anno” (means Budapest long ago) photo exhibition shows the pictures of Budapest in the 19th century (between 1850 and 1945), it can be visited without entrance fees.

  Budapest, Citadella

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The downtown Parish church The downtown Parish church is situated at Március 15 square at Budapest, it was build on the walls of the fortress of Contra Aquincum. This is the oldest building of Pest. In 1046 Gellért bishop was buried here. In 1241 the Tartars burnt the city, the people of Pest were killed cruelly in the city’s church which is the today’s downtown Parish church, where they assembled to pray.In the 14th century with the support of king Sigismund it was rebuilt in gothic style. Under the rule of  king Matthias the church was extended with two other aisles. The souvenir of the Turk era, when it was used as a mosque, is the mihrab (prayers’ chamber) in the south-eastern wall of the sanctuary. The baroque style renovation passed off between 1725-1739 under the leading of János György

Pauer (1692-1752), who was a German born architect.In our days the outside of the church is neglected, in spite of that it was renovated several times: between 1805 and 1808, János Hild, in 1889 Imre Steindl, after 1945 László Gerő were the leaders of the restorations. The paintings of the internal of the church were renovated in 1976-77.According to the rumours, at time of the building of the Elisabeth bridge, the church had to be relocated. This isn’t true, at the construction arose the question of displacing the church, but finally the church was emerged with the axle of the bridge.

  Budapest, Március 15. tér

The Furnicular Lift This 100 metres long lane opened in 1870. The concept behind its construction was to provide cheap transportation for state officials working in the Castle Area. At the beginning it worked by steam engine, but today’s carts are driven by electricity. The two carts are connected by a strong steel cable which makes them moving in a way like a pendulum; every time one goes upwards the other goes down simultaneously. Transportation: Bus No. 16, 86, 105 – Clark Ádám Square Opening hours: 07:30 - 22:00Budapest, Clark Ádám tér

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The Great Synagogue in Dohány Street The Moorish style temple of the Israelite community was built based on the planning of an Austrian architect, Lajos Förster in 1853. Next to the building the Israelite Museum and Library can be found, which were built in 1930-31. After the liberation the Temple of Heroes and the graveyard of the fascism’s victims were placed here as well.

Transportation: Metro No. 2, Tram No. 47, 49 – Astoria; Trolleybus – Károly körút

 (+36)-1-413-55-31   Budapest, Dohány utca2.

The House of Parliament The baroque-plan, noegothic Parliament was built from 1885 to 1904, based on the planning of Imre Steindl. The enormous building is 268 metres long and 118 metres wide. It is divided for ten courts, it has 29 staircases and 27 entrances. At the outside the building is decorated by 88 statues; at the Danube side they represent Hungarian monarchs from the seven leaders to King V. Ferdinand, while at the square side princes of Transylvania, famous warlords and heroes can be seen. The main staircase is decorated by frescos from Károly Lotz. At the same place the bust of Imre Steindl is placed in a marble cassette. The main stairway drives to the cupola room on the second floor where the statues of great figures from the Hungarian history can be seen. This is the most ceremonious room of the

country where high rank state honors are distributed. Similarly fascinating room is the chamber, where the highest constitutional body assembles. Above the presidential platform the Arms of the Hungarian Republic can be seen surrounded by Zsigmond Vajda’s frescos, which capture two famous moments of the Hungarian history. The congress hall, the presidential council’s presence chamber, the delegation’s room and the Parliament’s library are also worth visiting, so as the treasures in each room. Europe’s fifth biggest parliament’s library is open for the public; anybody can brows among the books to his liking. As the Hungarian parliament has only one chamber, only one of the assembly rooms is used. (Groups can visit it every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10, 11, 14 and 15 o’clock, and every month on the second and third Sunday at 11, 12 and 13 o’clock. Groups should be register at the guide by the Parliament. The entrance is free for EU members.Transportation: Tram No. 2, 2AOpening hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 08:00 – 18:00; Saturday: 08:00 – 16:00; Sunday: 08:00 – 14:00Entrance fee: for EU citizens the entrance is free   Budapest, Kossuth tér 1-3

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The monument of the Premontre monastery On the Island of Hares the small historical chapel which stands at the place of the Premontre provostry founded before 1225 by the king, keeps the memory of the rich, medieval monastic relics.The area destroyed after the Turk ages was excavated by Kálmán Lux and he made built up the Premontre chapel which vestry stands at the place of the chapel of the XV century. The Premontre provostry might be founded by András II. on the Island of Hares before 1225. One-nave, arch-typed closing church belonged to the small-sized provostry. On its place, previously existed a church consecrated to St. Michael. At first, they got significant

donations, but later they diminished importantly because of the expansion of the Dominican nun monastery. Finally the sisterhood got the whole area of the island, the premontre array had only the monastery itself.In the XVth century, there was a chapel next to the monastery too. The Premontre provostry was left in 1526 because of the Turks, after this the building was demolished. The remains was excavated by Kálmán Lux and the chapel which still exists was built in medieval style according to his plans

The Trinity statue of Budapest The Trinity statue of Budapest is situated in the first district on the Trinity square, in front of the Matthias church. The square was built after the siege of 1686, till this time a narrow street led to its gate. During the plague epidemic of 1691 the citizens swore an oath if the epidemic passed away they would set up a trinity statue. The epidemic ended and in 1706 and the statue was made as well but three years later, in 1709 a new epidemic erupted. The habitants vowed this time to erase a higher, a more ornate statue at the place of the previous statue, if they survived this epidemic too. So happened that in 1712 the old statue was transposed to Zsigmond Square in the 3. district and on its place a 14,4 m high baroque statue was set up in 1713 (the statue was made by Fülöp Ungleich and Antal Höger). The artwork was badly damaged in the siege of 1945 that’s why it was carried in to the museum of  Kiscell and the resculptured fellow was put

in to its place which can be seen today. On the pedestal embossments fall into line, a little bit higher statues of nine saints can be seen (for example the statue of Saint Rókus, the patron saint of the patients and the nurses), on the top the symbols of the trinity can be found.

  Budapest, Szentháromság tér

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Tomb of Gül Baba and Rosegarden The tomb of Gül Baba reminds the domination of the Turkish in most of the Hungarian territory during almost 150 years. The head of the order of the Bektas was Gül Baba who was charged to found an Islamic religious centre close to the town before the Turkish armies arrive to Buda. Gül Baba was famous for peaceful temper, for his love of the nature, for his verses. According to the legend he always wore a rose on his turban – this is the origin of his nickname: the Father of the Roses. There are many assumptions in connection with his death: one tells that he died because of his old age, the other says he was wounded during the occupation of Buda and he died from his wound in the church. His mortal remains was settled for eternal peace in the türbe (tomb) garden. The türbe is a sanctum

from the early Islamic period, it is the fifth or the sixth in the periodical rang of the Ottoman Empire, and the northest Islamic pilgrims place.

 (+36)-1-326-0062   Budapest, Mecset utca 14.

Váci street It starts at Vörösmarty Square and after passing the Elisabeth Bridge (Erzsébet tér) it ends at Vámház Boulevard and the Freedom Bridge. That was the exact size of whole Pest in the Middle Ages. The inhabitants use the name Váci Street only for the attractive northern part which is always crammed with tourists. The most fashionable shopping street arose here at the end of the 18th century, and it evolved continuously till World War I. Shops often changed hands as the owners put up the rents constantly. In the 1970s the street suffered an unflattering modernization; each shop was equipped with uniform glass portal without considering its original style. However, the commercial upturn of the last decade created a “second Váci Street” mainly to entice tourist

groups. Gateways, courts, staircases and crossroads are full with crammed vendors, who offer Hungarian specialties – so called Hungaricums – for pedestrians.

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Vajdahunyad Castle (Budapest) The first version of the Vajdahunyad castle was built in the Városliget on the Széchenyi-Island by 1896 for the Millennium exposition. As it was a temporary “pavilion” – which was made of wood and paperboard – it was dismantled at the end of the exposition. But the public liked it very much so that Ignác Alpár charged by the town council, built the castle in its total size. The name originated from the bourgeois as it reminded them to the castle of the Transylvanian Vajdahunyad (the most emphatic part of the castle is similar to that one’s tower). The castle – which was built between 1904 and 1908 – consists of four parts introducing the 1000 years of architecture of the historical Hungary form the Romanesque to the Baroque. In the reproduction of the knight hall, the expositions of the

Agricultural Museum can be seen.The 1,9m high bronze statue of Anonymus is situated also on the Széchenyi-island, which  was made in 1903 by Miklós Ligeti. The “Anonymus” is a Latin word, it means nameless in translation. We call like this that history author who wrote the prehistory and the settlement of the Hungarians in his creation called Gesta Hungarorum, but we have no more further information neither of his name nor of his personality.

  Budapest, Városliget

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