European Travel

Destination: HUNGARY

Sights

* Budai Vár
* Budavári Labirintus
* Gellért-hegy
* Halászbástya
* Hüosök tere
* Magyar Állami Operaház
* Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum
* Mátyás-templom
* Országház
* Szent István-bazilika
* Szépmüuvészeti Múzeum
* Városliget

Budai Vár

Budai Vár (Buda Castle) looks down over the Danube from the southern end of Várhegy (Castle Hill). Little is left of the earliest castle, which was built in the 13th century. What remains is in the cellars and underground passages, now part of the Budapesti Történeti Múzeum (Budapest History Museum), in Wing E. Before the building was flattened during World War II, it was an amalgam of 18th- and 19th-century Habsburg architecture. This is the version that has been carefully restored.

The Magyar Nemzeti Galéria (Hungarian National Gallery) collection of Hungarian art is housed in the Central Wings B, C and D, under a landmark dome.

A walk from here through a peaceful garden square and past the lovely Matthias Well fountain takes you to the West Wing (F) and the Országos Széchényi Könyvtár (National Széchényi Library), which stores approximately 2 million books.

Contemporary art is displayed in the Kortárs Művészeti Múzeum (Museum of Contemporary Art - Ludwig Museum), in Wing A.

Statues outside the palace include Prince Eugene of Savoy, who routed the Turkish armies; King Matthias, in the west court yard; and a mythical bird called the Turul.

Address: Várhegy GFor all attractions: 5, 16, 78, Várbusz (Castle Bus) from Moszkva tér; tram 18; funicular from west end of Chain Bridge Budapesti Történeti Múzeum
Phone: 1 225 7815
Hours: Wed.-Mon. 10-6, Mar.-Oct.; 10-4, rest of year Tue.-Sun. 10-6 Tue.-Sun. 10-6, early Mar. to early Dec.; 10-4,
Admission: 600Ft-1,000Ft, $ less than 600Ft ; free Wed. Kortárs Művészeti Múzeum C1 375 9175 Inexpensive; free to all Tue. Magyar Nemzeti Galéria

rest of year

Hours: Tue.-Fri. 9-9, Sat. 9-8
Restaurant: Gallery café
Admission: Free, temporary exhibitions Inexpensive. Inexpensive; free Wed.
Info: Guided tours Országos Széchényi Könyvtár PHONE: 1 224 3700

COUNTRY

Hungary

REGION

CITIES

Budapest

Things To Know

Sights

Essential Info

Features

MAPS

TRAVEL BOOK