Not to be missed! Our TOP 10 hits – from the absolute No. 1 to No. 10 – TOP 10 help you plan your tour of the most important sights.

MÁTYÁS-TEMPLOM P48 MARGIT-SZIGET P76 The beautifully renovated Matthias in the is Church dominates the largest a tranquil recreational oasis at the square on ’s Castle Hill, a heart of the city. Only the huge ­focal point offering great views over in August disturbs the whole of . the island’s peace.

ORSZÁGHÁZ P94 ZSIDÓ NEGYED P120 No panoramic view of Budapest With its restaurants, a cemetery, a would be complete without the museum and two large Synagogues, monumental Parliament building the city’s Jewish quarter will (image left). It’s also worth a visit. grant you a fascinating glimpse into the rich past of this once-great ANDRÁSSY ÚT & Budapest community. ÁLLAMI OPERAHÁZ P118 The boulevard and its environs VÖRÖSMARTY TÉR & ­offer architecture and VÁCI UTCA P100 buzzing nightlife. The highlight is The city’s hottest square and chicest the Opera House, a UNESCO street for shopping and strolling World Heritage site. around. Some of the coffee houses are also fantastic spots to see and SZENT ISTVÁN BAZILIKA be seen. P98 The mighty St Stephen’s Basilica GELLÉRT-HEGY P52 is one of Europe’s top churches. Climb right to the top of Gellért Hill It’s sacred to thanks to to enjoy a wonderful panoramic view. the relic of King Stephen. At nearly The hill boasts the Independence 100m high, the dome boasts a Monument at its summit and the stunning panoramic view. ­famous Gellért Baths at its feet.

VÁROSLIGET P140 HŐSÖK TERE P144 The was built in 1896 Heroes’ Square and the Millenary to celebrate ’s 1,000th Monument make up the ultimate ­anniversary. You can soak your symbol of Hungarian national pride. cares away next to the park at the They’re flanked by the of Art magnificent Széchenyi Baths. and the Museum of Fine Arts. The Magazine The Magazine

In the late 19th century, Budapest’s growth as a city reached exponential SUBLIME levels – its population had tripled in a matter of decades and its building shortage was acute. This coincided SECESSIONISME with a backlash against the per­ ceived stuffiness of neoclassicism, Of all the architectural styles that grace Budapest’s skyline, it as favoured by the Habsburg rulers, making Budapest ripe for architec­ is art nouveau that defines the city. Known as secessionism in tural change. At the time, a new Hungary, its signature sinuous curves, folk motifs and generous art movement – art nouveau – was sweeping Europe and the USA, its use of colour are showstoppers, leaving everything else in its focus on organic motifs and asym­ playful wake. metrical compositions. Hungarian architects began drawing­ inspiration from Paris and Vienna, where the style had gained a strong foothold, and added their Magyar thoughts and impressions to the mix, in­ corporating patterns from traditional national and Transylvanian folk art. In the ­process, Hungarian art nouveau was born. Secessionism went almost as quickly as it came. The start of World War I heralded the demise of the style, and by the beginning of the 1920s it had come to an end. Unlike many European cities, Budapest held on to its secessionist gems despite shifting architectural attitudes, war and foreign regimes, to the benefit of anyone who gazes upon them today.

The Architects The seminal figure in Budapest’s art nouveau movement was Ödön Lechner (1845–1914). Lechner, ALL FORMS OF ART nicknamed the Hungarian Gaudí, Art nouveau was not only limited to architecture, but permeated all forms studied abroad but focused his of art. Its free-flowing designs can be seen in the interior of the Philantia ­attention on creating a unique P flower shop ( 100), the paintings of József Rippl-Rónai and János Vaszary Hungarian style, incorporating not P at the Magyar Nemzeti Galéria ( 57), the stained glass of Miksa Róth only the accepted secessionist P P ( 128), the wrought-iron gates of the Gresham Palace ( 102), and the themes of the day, but also tradi­ furniture, ceramics and elaborate household items in the Iparművészeti tional Hungarian motifs and Persian Múzeum (P158).

The Geological Institute

10 11 Vár-hegy & Gellért-hegy The Perfect Day D2:00pm After lunch, take the Sikló back down The Perfect Day Castle Hill and wander around ,Víziváros Discover the highs and lows of Buda’s Castle Hill and Gellért Hill, (Watertown, P61). Its streets contain ­complete with expansive views, cobblestoned streets and a fortress curious­ shops, the authentic Király Turkish or two for good measure. For more information see the main entries bath (P62) and a baroque gem, Szent (P48–66). Anna templom (Church of St Anne, ill. right, P61). If there’s time, stop in at the .Semmelweis Orvostörténeti D9:00am Múzeum (Semmelweis Museum of Start early and ride the Sikló (Funicular, P55) from near the Medical History, P63) for a crash /Széchenyi lánchíd (Széchenyi Chain Bridge, P64) up to Castle Hill. course in medical history. Spend the next hour ­wandering the castle’s D4:00pm ramparts,­ snapping shots Break for refreshments at Lánchíd Söröző of Pest – 1Halászbástya (P68) before climbing )Gellért-hegy (Fishermen’s Bastion, (Gellért Hill, P52) for afternoon views of right, P57) provides Pest (below). On the way down the hill’s the best vantage point. southern side, call in at the Sziklatemplom (Cave Church, P53) to admire the underground achievements of the D10:00am Paulines, Hungary’s only religious order. Enter the grounds of the +Budai Királyi D6:00pm Palota (Buda Royal After the day’s activities, enjoy a soothing soak Palace, P55). Time in the thermal waters of Gellért Gyógyfürdő allows for­ only one (Gellért Thermal Baths, P54) while admiring ­museum visit, so choose its art nouveau splendour. Rest up at your between Hungarian art hotel­ before deciding on the evening’s at the Magyar Nemzeti ­entertainment. Galéria (Hungarian Víziváros National Gallery, P57) D8:00pm Hadtörténeti or Budapest history in Finish the day with either a Múzeum 12 the Budapesti Történeti ­concert at A38 Hajó (A38 Boat, 19 Mátyás-templom Múzeum (Budapest P62) or traditional folk music Telefónia 18 1 Halászbástya History Museum, P60). at the Fonó Budai Zeneház (Fonó Múzeum 17 Buda Music House, P70). 16 Széchenyi Arany Sas 15 lánchíd Patikamúzeum Budavári Palota 11 Semmelweis 14 Orvostörténeti D12:00 noon Múzeum Grab a quick coffee at Ruszwurm (P69) 13 Rudas GyógyfürdŒ near the centre of Vár-hegy to tide you Gellért-hegy 9 over until lunch, before taking a tour of the unusual interior of !Mátyás-templom (, left, P50). After all this walking you should by now have built up an appetite. D1:00pm Restaurant pickings are scarce on Vár-hegy, but Rivalda (P68) is a fine establishment with a menu to suit most tastes.

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