The Buda side of Budapest
The Buda side of Budapest is the more historic side, it consists of Castle Hill and the Castle District which includes three churches, six museums and numerous other historic buildings. Buda Castle (below), which stands on top of Castle Hill was started in 1247 by King Béla IV of Hungary. The oldest part of the present castle was constructed by Stephen, Duke of Slavonia in the 14th century. The grandest enlargement was done by King Sigismund, the Holy Roman Emperor starting in 1410.
Buda Castle
We took an evening boat ride along the shores of the Danube. At night the buildings on either side of the river light up and sparkle like gems on the shore. It really is a magical experience! The Hungarian Parliament Building (Országház - which translates to House of the Country) is the largest building in Hungary and the tallest building in Budapest. The Széchenyi Chain Bridge links Buda with Pest. It is the first and oldest permanent bridge on the Danube, designed by English engineer William Tierney Clark. The Chain Bridge has had a great economic impact on Budapest, much like the Brooklyn Bridge has had on New York.
Hungarian Parliament Building
Széchenyi Chain Bridge
In the first and second pictures (below) you will find a raven with a golden ring in its beak, this is known as The Raven of Mátyás Corvinus. Legend has it, that in the 15th century, upon the death of the current king, Mátyás' mother sent for Mátyás in Prague, by sending a Raven with a golden ring from Transylvania. The legend stuck and the boy king of ravens was crowned. "Corvinus" is Latin for raven.
Matthias Church
The Raven of Mátyás Corvinus
Next to church
Changing of the Guard
Fisherman's Bastion (right) takes its name from
the guild of fisherman that were responsible for defending this section of the city in the Middle
Ages. It was built in 1895.
Fisherman's Bastion
Buda Castle
Gothic Church
Detail
Flowers
