5 stunning architectural masterpieces in Budapest

Budapest has always been the city of history, culture and art. Thousands of pages could be written on the masterpieces of Budapest. Culture Trip assembled the 5 most amazing architectural masterpieces that can only be found in Hungary’s capital.

Budapest, the city of historic architecture.

1. Gresham Palace

The Gresham Palace is located in Széchenyi István square. The Art Nouveau building of the Gresham Palace has a really unique architectural style. Today, the Four Seasons Hotel can be found in this beautiful and historic building. The building was designed by two Hungarian architects: Zsigmond Quittner and Jószef Vágó, in 1906. During the 1990s, the whole building was completely refurbished. Luckily, the building’s original Art Nouveau architecture was retained.

Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org By Sarah Stierch

2. The buildings of Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden

The Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden is one of the oldest zoos in Europe that was founded in 1866. The zoo’s building was designed by Hungarian architect Károly Kós.

The Elephant House in the Budapest Zoo

The building has an Art Nouveau design. The zoo’s building is a real masterpiece of architecture located a little further away from the capital’s downtown.

4 iconic buildings in the heart of Budapest

3. Dohány Street Synagogue

The Dohány Street Synagogue (also known as The Great Synagogue or Tabakgasse Synagogue) is a historical building situated in Erzsébetváros, in District 7. The Dohány Street Synagogue is Europe’s largest synagogue, and it is the second largest in the whole world.

Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org by M3peti

The building was constructed in 1859. The synagogue was designed by Viennese architect Ludwig Förster, and it has a Moorish style. According to Culture Trip:

“This impressive building in Budapest’s Jewish District gains a place on this list for its intricately decorated exterior, stunning interior, and the sheer scale of the building.”

4. The Chain Bridge

If you have ever seen a post card from Budapest, you most likely saw the Chain Bridge as well. The bridge has become one of the many symbols of Budapest, connecting the two parts of the capital: Buda and Pest. The Chain Bridge was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Budapest, and it is regarded as a masterpiece of engineering.

The Chain Bridge was finished in 1849. Unfortunately, the bridge was seriously damaged during the Second World War as it was blown up. The whole bridge had to be rebuilt after the war, so the pillars are the only original parts of the bridge.

5. Hungarian Parliament Building

The Hungarian Parliament Building is probably the most iconic and most well-known architectural masterpiece in Budapest. It is one of the largest parliament buildings in the world. The Parliament of Budapest was designed by Hungarian architect Imre Steindl in 1885. The building has a Gothic style.