5+1 fun facts about Hungary – Some may come as a surprise
Dive into the heart of Central Europe with our captivating exploration of Hungary and its people. This colourful country has many faces, thus you might want to learn some fun facts about Hungary. Join us as we unveil 5+1 enchanting facts that reveal why Hungary is truly a treasure trove of delights waiting to be discovered.
1. Thermal water
Hungary might not have ocean or sea access, however, this does not mean that Hungarians miss out on fun water activities. It may be shocking to learn that Hungary has over 1,300 thermal springs. Due to a geographical fender-bender, Budapest itself has over 100 springs alone.
2. Iconic parliament building
The Hungarian Parliament Building is not only a stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture but also one of the largest parliamentary buildings in the world. An interesting fact about it is that its design holds a unique historical symmetry: the building has 691 rooms and a remarkable 20 kilometres of stairs. What makes it even more fascinating is that during its construction, which started in 1885 and was completed in 1904, about 40 million bricks, half a million precious stones, and 40 kilograms of gold were used.
3. Weird language
One of the commonly known facts about Hungary is that the people living here have their own language. Hungarian might sound weird or highly unusual to speakers of other languages primarily because it belongs to the Finno-Ugric language family. Thus, it is one of the few European languages that do not have an Indo-European origin. Some say that it is one of the hardest languages to master in the world.
4. Formula 1
The Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix has been held annually at the Hungaroring near Budapest since 1986, making it one of the oldest places in Eastern Europe to host the competition. It was the first race track behind the Iron Curtain. What is even more shocking regarding this fun fact about Hungary is that it was built in record time, in just 8 months.
5. The ultimate cure for everything
Fun fact: Hungarians have found the cure for all diseases. Some believe that the country’s national alcohol, pálinka, is a powerful remedy for headaches, menstrual pain, stress, and every disease known to humankind. There is a Hungarian saying: “Pálinka is a medicine in small quantities, a cure in large quantities.”
6. Checkmate
It is one of the lesser-known facts about Hungary that the country is home to an outstanding chess legend. Judit Polgár is widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players of all time and the strongest female chess player ever. She achieved a historic breakthrough in the traditionally male-dominated world of competitive chess, redefining perceptions about gender and intellectual prowess in the game. Judit earned the title of Grandmaster at the age of 15 in 1991, at the time the youngest to have achieved this distinction.
Read also:
- Hungary’s sporting stars: Icons of the past and present
- Saint George’s Day in Hungary: folklore about witches and customs related to the beginning of spring
Featured image: depositphotos.com