Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it serves as the
country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation
centre.
Cited as one of
the most beautiful cities in Europe, its extensive World Heritage
Site includes the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue,
Heroes' Square and the Millennium Underground Railway, the second oldest in the
world. Other highlights include a total of 80 geothermal springs, the world's largest
thermal water cave system, second largest synagogue, and third largest Parliament
building. The city attracts about 2.3 million tourists a year.
Danube River
The Danube is Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is notable for being
classified as an international waterway.
The river originates in the Black Forest in Germany as the much smaller Brigach
and Breg rivers which join at the German town of Donaueschingen. After that it is
known as the Danube and flows southeastward for a distance of some 2850 km
(1771 miles), passing through four Central and Eastern European capitals, before
emptying into the Black Sea via the Danube Delta in Romania and Ukraine.
The Danube's watershed extends into many other countries. Many Danubian
tributaries are important rivers in their own right, navigable by barges and other
shallow-draught boats.
Andrassy Avenue
Andrássy Avenue is an iconic boulevard in Budapest, Hungary, dating back to
1872. It links Elizabeth Square with the City Park. Lined with spectacular Neo-
renaissance mansions and townhouses featuring fine facades and interiors, it was
recognised as a World Heritage Site in 2002. It is also one of Budapest's main
shopping streets, with fine cafes, restaurants, theatres, and luxury boutiques.
Notable Spots on Andrassy Avenue:
* Hungarian State Opera House
* Drechsler House
* The Pest Broadway: a junction with four exquisite theatres at its four corners
* Franz Liszt square: a square with the Academy of Music and a multitude of
cafés
* Oktogon: junction with Grand Boulevard
* House of Terror (Terror Háza): commemorating the two main oppressing
regimes in Hungary, Fascism and Communism, and their victims (website, ÁVH)
* Franz Liszt Memorial House and the old Academy of Music
* Zoltán Kodály Memorial House
* College of Fine Arts
* Ferenc Hopp East-Asian Art Museum
* Heroes' Square: the entrance of the City Park, with the Millennium Monument,
the Palace of Art (Budapest), the Museum of Fine Arts (Budapest)
* Recently opened world famous luxury fashion shops like Dolce & Gabbana,
Louis Vuitton, Armani, Gucci and more.
Matthias Church
Matthias Church (Hungarian: Mátyás-templom) is a church located in Budapest,
Hungary, at the heart of Buda's Castle District. According to church tradition, it was
originally built in Romanesque style in 1015. The current building was constructed
in the florid late Gothic style in the second half of the 14th century and was
extensively restored in the late 19th century. It was the second largest church of
medieval Buda and the seventh largest church of medieval Hungarian Kingdom.
Officially named as the Church of Our Lady, it has been popularly named after king
Matthias, who ordered the transformation of its original southern tower. In many
respects, the 700 year history of the church serves as a symbol (or perhaps a
reminder for Hungarians) of the city's rich, yet often tragic history. Not only was the
church the scene of several coronations, including that of Charles IV in 1916 (the
last Habsburg king), it was also the site for King Matthias' two weddings (the first to
Catherine of Podiebrad and, after her death, to Beatrice of Aragon).
Inside, visitors tend to head straight for the Ecclesiastical Art museum which
begins in the medieval crypt and leads up to the St. Stephen Chapel. The gallery
contains a number of sacred relics and medieval stone carvings, along with replicas
of the Hungarian royal crown and coronation jewels.
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