travelgrove

 
 
 

Budapest history


 

You are here:
Travel Guides > Hungary > Budapest > History

  • Rating
    81%
    City Rank
    44
  • History & Culture: rated for 90%
  • Night Life & Entertainment: rated for 89%
  • Family & Fun: rated for 80%
  • Outdoors Activities: rated for 70%
  • Food: rated for 79%
  • Sightseeing: rated for 87%
  • Shopping: rated for 81%
  • Public Transportation: rated for 80%
  • Must visit this place: rated for 93%
  • top rated citiesadd your own rating

Budapest, Hungary – History

Budapest is a historical city of Hungry and was created with the unification of separate towns like Óbuda, Pest and Buda in 1873. It is ranked among the most beautiful cities of the world. Budapest has vibrant culture and fascinating history.

The city is the geographic and transportation hub of Hungry.  It is also known for its unique values of traditions, history and culture. The city is bisected by the River Danube and it is also known as the City of Spas. Budapest is divided into the 23 districts.

The area of Budapest has been inhabited from early times by the Celts in the 3rd century BC. In the Christian era, the town was conquered by the Romans who incorporated it in the Roman Empire. In 106, the town became the capital of province Pannonia.

From the eighth century, this region was inhabited by different tribes and ethnic groups.  The archeological findings in this area indicate that this area was densely populated and it may have been a trading center for the people of different regions.

In the 9th century, the Hungarians appeared in this region.  The Hungarians established their settlement in Csepel.  They also established the seat of their prince near Danube River. The Mongols invaded Buda in 1241. The Castle of Buda was fortified in this period.

In the 13th century, Buda took over the major roles. Castles were enlarged and churches were reconstructed.

After the invasion of Tatars, significant fortification work began all over the country. During this period, the royal castle and the walled city were built on Castle Hill. In the middle ages, Budapest emerged as the economic and cultural center of the country and at the beginning of the sixteenth century the city reached its peak.

During this period, Hungary extended over a large territory and united with Poland and Lithuania. The rule of Hungarian crown extended from the Baltic to the Adriatic Sea. A strong Hungarian empire came into existence in Eastern Europe and Buda became the economical, political and cultural hub of the country.

The economic role of this region enhanced when the trades started here and linked Eastern and Western Europe. Greeks, Germans and Arabs were active participants in the trade.

Buda is greatly influenced by Italian Renaissance and its cultural role got significance during the reign of King Matthias.

In the eighteenth century, the population of the city continued to grow. In the nineteenth century, Buda witnessed major developments and economic boom.

 

add Budapest to your favorites write a review about Budapest rate Budapest add a travel tip ask about Budapest email this Budapest article  


Search travel guides by destination:
 

 
 
 

 
 

Reviews about Budapest

write a review
 
Read our members' reviews about Budapest

No reviews have been added yet for this category. Be the first to add a new one.

Read our members' travel tips about Budapest
  • Sayuri87Matthias Church >> added on October 21, 2009, by Sayuri87
    The Matthias Church or Church of Our Lady is a 700 years old Catholic temple. It was named after the great king of Hungary, Matthias Rex.
    It's building style is a mixed one because of the changes that were made on it throughout the centuries. It was even converted into a mosque when the Turkish occupied the city. Its walls were whitewashed and texts from the Koran were painted on it.
    It is beautifully renovated now, even some of the medieval frescoes were found under the whitewash.
    Its rose windows are my favorite, but the whole place is so grandiose. No wonder, Hungarian kings were crowned here for centuries.
    The admission is very cheap, so you definitely have visit this place if you are in Budapest.
  • Sayuri87Memento Park >> added on October 21, 2009, by Sayuri87
    It is a very bizarre place, a unique collection of Communist memories. You would see there giant Engels, Marx and Stalins and also memorials of the Communist Martyrs.
    As far as I know, this is the only museum of this kind in the world, so I suggest you not to miss it, really got creeps when I was there.
    They also have a souvenir shop, a little bizarre as well. They sell candles forming Stalin and Lenin. You should definitely get some of those.
  • Sayuri87Synagogue and Jewish Museum >> added on October 21, 2009, by Sayuri87
    The Great Synagogue is the largest in Europe. It is situated in Erzsebet Town, and built in Byzantine-Moorish style with beautiful arches and windows.
    The interior of the building is also wonderful and huge. My favorite was the ceiling, covered with Stars of David and the floor, also covered with stars.
    Next to the Synagogue is the Jewish Museum with religious objects and other Jewish relics. There is also a very moving Holocaust Room, but which was very astonishing and still beautiful, was the Holocaust Memorial on the yard, a metal weeping willow with names of the victims engraved in each leaf. I think it is a beautiful way to remember.
  • stefHouse of Terror >> added on October 1, 2009, by stef
    It's the most realistic, accurate and also depressing museum I've ever seen about communism and nazism. Th building itself was the headquarter of the hyngarian political police in during the fcism and also during the comunism. With a lot of photographs, sound material are those times shown.
    It's a must see in Budapest.
  • blackangel_66The Hungarian Parliament >> added on August 23, 2009, by blackangel_66
    The Parliament of Hungary is one of the most beautiful parliaments in Europe so don't miss to visit it if you are in Budapest. The entrance is not very cheap, it is 20$ per person, but it really worth it. For that you get a 1.5 hour guided tour in the amazing Neogothic building.
 

 
 
 

 
 

Cheap flights to Budapest

$450 RT
Alitalia flight
From:
Malta, MT (MLA) 
To:
Budapest, HU (BUD) 
Departure:
12/22/2009 
Return:
01/31/2010
Airline: Alitalia    
jetcombo.com
Check price
$856 RT
Jet Airways flight
From:
New York, NY (NYC) 
To:
Budapest, HU (BUD) 
Departure:
12/04/2009 
Return:
12/28/2009
Airline: Jet Airways    
jetcombo.com
Check price
$858 RT
Jet Airways flight
From:
New York, NY (NYC) 
To:
Budapest, HU (BUD) 
Departure:
12/04/2009 
Return:
12/28/2009
Airline: Jet Airways    
vayama.com
Check price
$863 RT
World Airways flight
From:
Chicago, IL (ORD) 
To:
Budapest, HU (BUD) 
Departure:
12/11/2009 
Return:
12/27/2009
Airline: World Airways    
vayama.com
Check price
$892 RT
American Airlines flight
From:
Chicago, IL (ORD) 
To:
Budapest, HU (BUD) 
Departure:
12/11/2009 
Return:
12/27/2009
Airline: American Airlines    
jetcombo.com
Check price
$933 RT
British Airways flight
From:
Chicago, IL (ORD) 
To:
Budapest, HU (BUD) 
Departure:
12/11/2009 
Return:
12/27/2009
Airline: British Airways    
airfare.com
Check price
$1009 RT
British Airways flight
From:
New York, NY (NYC) 
To:
Budapest, HU (BUD) 
Departure:
12/04/2009 
Return:
12/28/2009
Airline: British Airways    
airfare.com
Check price
$1089 RT
Continental Airlines flight
From:
Chicago, IL (ORD) 
To:
Budapest, HU (BUD) 
Departure:
12/11/2009 
Return:
12/27/2009
Airline: Continental Airlines    
cfares.com
Check price
$1401 RT
Continental Airlines flight
From:
New York, NY (NYC) 
To:
Budapest, HU (BUD) 
Departure:
12/04/2009 
Return:
12/28/2009
Airline: Continental Airlines    
cfares.com
Check price
$1416 RT
Continental Airlines flight
From:
Asheville, NC (AVL) 
To:
Budapest, HU (BUD) 
Departure:
12/17/2009 
Return:
01/04/2010
Airline: Continental Airlines    
vayama.com
Check price
 

 
 
the best travel deals provided by TravelZoo...
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Travelgrove Inc is not responsible for content on external Web sites. ©2004-2008 Travelgrove, Inc. All rights reserved.