Buda Castle is a majestic castle that serves as an icon of Budapest and Hungary. The fortress and imperial mansion of the Hungarian Kings, who used to control the entire city of Budapest, stood tall and majestic. First Constructed in the glorious year of 1265, this sumptuous Castle is among the most well-known palaces.
The huge structure was formerly known as the Royal Palace, as it was once the Imperial Family's accommodation. The overwhelming significance and grandeur of this Castle can be appreciated when it pertains to knowing that this place is among the most notable UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the European continent.
Buda Castle now accommodates the Budapest History Museum, the National Széchényi Library, and the Hungarian National Gallery.
Budapest History Museum
The displays of the Budapest History Museum reflect on the eventful city's history currently known as Budapest during the last 2000 years, including what life was like in the once-separate cities of Buda, Pest, and Obuda. Although many of the displays were lost during the second world war, visitors can still see many interesting objects on the exhibit to get a sense of the Castle's grandeur.
Portraits, furnishings, common objects, clothing, publications, drawings, and more are all on show. However, one feature they all have in similar is that they all portray lifestyle in Buda and Pest, aka Budapest, through the years and cultures.
National Széchényi Library
Hungary's national library is likewise located in Buda Castle, near the Budapest History Museum. Visitors might be interested in the library's special exhibitions. The majority of the displays are paper-based, such as pictures and maps from century-old publications.
The Szechenyi Library also has other exhibits, such as Herend porcelains and Hungarian artists' artworks. Librarians, steaming punks, and wistful people may be interested in the Szechenyi Library's large display, which explores what it was to read a book in Hungary from 1802 to 1985.
The library is dedicated to another Szechenyi people may remember, Ferenc Szechenyi, the father of Istvan Szechenyi and the creator of the Szechenyi Suspension Bridge and Szechenyi Bathhouses.
Hungarian National Gallery
The Hungarian National Gallery was founded in 1957 to exhibit Hungarian artworks from the tenth-century Magyar establishment to the current day.
Through exquisite paintings, tourists can see leaders of Hungarian visual arts who provide glimpses into Hungary's past, daily life, and countryside. The National Gallery in the Castle also features a collection of worldwide classics with Hungarian art.
The artworks from the 18th- 19th centuries are arguably the most popular artifacts on the show since they vividly depict the stormy past of Hungary, including the periods of Turkish control succeeded by Austrian rule.
The Castle Highlights
The Matthias Church
For decades, the Mattias church served as a ceremonial church for Hungarian monarchs and a mosque for the Ottoman Turks for almost 150 years. The chapel has stunning interiors with tones influenced by colonialism and romantic historicism, full of surprises, intrigues, and riches.
It stands out from other churches because of its ethereally unique ambiance and Neo-Gothic elements.
Fisherman's Bastion
Fisherman's Bastion is among the most popular sites in the Buda Castle region and is notable for its towers and spires. It is also among the most well-known and popular photographic locations in Budapest.
Although it was built around the beginning of the last century to commemorate the Hungarian nation's 1000th anniversary, the Fisherman's Bastion may appear to be an antique structure based on its traditional architecture.
A secret church going back to medieval times can be seen beneath the fortifications of the Fisherman's Bastion, where visitors can watch a 3D video show about significant events in Hungarian chronology.
The Holy Trinity Statue
In the heart of Trinity Square stands the Holy Trinity Monument. The column honors those who died in two epidemics of the Black Plague in the town. The Holy Trinity is depicted in the engraving on the top of the column.
Below this, the entire column is adorned with miniature sculptures of angels, cherub-like figurines, and bigger sculptures of saints. The main sculpture depicts a biblical scenario of King David begging God to spare his people from a plague breakout.
Evangelical Church
Evangelical Church's tragic background reflects Hungary's arduous and bleak heritage.
The church was constructed in an unconventional design with a baroque exterior, which is uncommon for evangelical churches.
With a double balcony above the entry, the interiors were quite classicistic. Colorful windows adorn the chapel, one of which depicts the Divinity as a bird. The altar from the ancient evangelical church has been preserved, along with a picture by Bertalan Szekely.
During the invasion of Budapest in 1946, the building received the most extensive damage. The church's walls feature a tribute to Gabor Sztehlo, an evangelical pastor who saved at least 2,000 kids during the Second World War.
Visiting The Castle
Via Train
- Nearest Train Station - Clark Ádám tér Tram stop
- It is a 7-minute walk to the Castle from the Station.
Via Bus
- Nearest Bus Stop - Palota út, Gyorslift Bus Stop
- It is a 5-minute walk to the Castle from the Station.
The majestic Buda Castle, perched atop Castle Hill, commands a magnificent panorama of Pest and the Danube. The Palace's home style and furnishings have a long history. Magnificent structures, spectacular buildings, and sculptures provide tourists with glimpses into the national past and architectural features. It's a fantastic site to go to if visitors are interested in history or learning more about Budapest.