architecture

The Habsburg man behind so many Hungarian sights

Walking around Budapest or, technically, any Hungarian city, you may find yourself faced with place names including the word ‘nádor’. There is a ‘József nádor Square’ and a ‘Nádor Street’ in Budapest. In the past, there used to be a Nádor Island and a Nádor Garden, too. ‘Nádor’ is the Hungarian word for Palatine, the highest dignitary after the king in the Kingdom of Hungary. Szeretekmagyarorszag.hu gathered all the facts about Archduke Joseph, the Palatine of Hungary, who is the Habsburg man all these place names refer to. He did so much for the improvement of Budapest that he is now seen an honorary Hungarian.

Archduke Joseph was born in Florence in 1776 but moved to Vienna when his father became the Emperor. In 1796, he was chosen to be the Palatine of Hungary, the most important official after the king. He moved to the Buda Castle and quickly learned the Hungarian language, so he became rather popular among Hungarians.

He was dedicated to the cause of improving and beautifying the city, in fact, much of what the inner city looks like nowadays is thanks to his efforts.

On the other hand, as an important figure of the reform era, credit is due for him for freeing Ferenc Kazinczy, a famous Hungarian author and linguist of the era, from prison.

Founding the Beautifying Committee

He played a big part in the urban planning of Budapest by founding the Beautifying Committee that was responsible for sewerage and the general improvement of public hygiene conditions. Besides,

he financed the founding of the Centre of the Blind, the construction of the first railway line, between Budapest and Vác, and he also supported the construction of a National Museum,

just like István Széchenyi, another significant figure of the Reform Era.

józsef nádor, budapest, palatinus házak — *The housing complex named after the Palatine of Hungary*
*Photo: fortepan.hu*

He also created a beautiful Baroque park at the bridgehead of the Lágymányosi Bridge, on the Buda side. This used to be the Nádor Garden which, unfortunately, is replaced by a housing complex now. However, with several fun gatherings organised in the Garden, it must have been a site truly worth a visit back in its heyday.

Margaret Island

The so-called Rabbit Island was also thanks to Archduke Joseph, explaining why it is also called Palatinus Island. This place, by the way, is still a popular destination, both by locals and tourists, although we now call it Margaret Island. There was a lot of work put into creating the beautiful and organised park we know today. A gardener from Vienna was invited to beautify the place, while the Archduke had a mansion built right next to the ruins of the Franciscan cloister. He spent a lot of time here with his family and first wife, Russian duchess Alexandra Pavlova. Several soirées and receptions were held to welcome the Duchess who came to love Hungarians, and the legend is that we have her to thank for our national tricolour flag.

Sadly, the Duchess died shortly after the birth of their first child together, and the daughter herself only lived for a few hours. The Archduke was in mourning for years.

margit sziget, józsef nádor, budapest — *Japanese Garden on Margaret Island, a legacy of the beautifying efforts of Archduke Joseph*
*Photo: fortepan.hu*

He married his second wife 10 years later, who also helped beautify the island.

In fact, opening the park to the public is linked to her, even if getting there was quite some trouble, seeing as there was no bridge at the time connecting the island to the mainland.

Despite having to wait for the boatman to take people over to the island, the place soon became very popular.

The Archduke had very high-up guests from time to time who also visited the island. One time, the guests were Francis I, Emperor of Austria and brother of the Archduke; Frederick William III of Prussia, as well as Alexander I of Russia, father-in-law of the Archduke. A grand harvest celebration was organised to welcome the guests, with young men and women helping the harvest while Turkish music was played in the background. Alexander I of Russia was known to be somewhat of a ladies’ man and he did not hold back during his Budapest visit, either. Some interesting headlines were seen when he took fancy in one of the harvest girls, obviously well below his rank. So, Archduke Joseph, Palatine of Hungary, not only helped beautify the city but also contributed to some first class gossip and entertainment.

For more news, check out this article about how Hungarian Elisabeth the Second is.

Featured image: Fortepan / Budapest City Archives

September 9, 2018

The ‘mosts’ of Budapest – Curiosities from the highest residential building to the longest underground escalator

Hungary Parliament visit tourism success

If you think you know everything about Budapest, Hungary’s capital, and that you are familiar with every nook and cranny of the city – this article is for you. We move past common knowledge here and focus on the weirdest and quirkiest of facts, based on szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu‘s article.

The longest continuous residential building

The longest block of flats, located in Óbuda, is called ‘Village Hall’ for a reason. With close to 3 thousand residents living in the 884 units, it does feel like an entire village is crammed into the building. No wonder it turned out to be the most extended block of flats in the entire capital. The building has its own personal victory, too – in 2009, during a full renovation and modernisation, it got to be the proud owner of the biggest solar panel at the time.

The highest point of the city

tourism, lookout tower, budapest — *Elisabeth Lookout Tower*
*Photo: facebook.com/pg/JanosHegyiErzsebetKilato*

The highest point in Budapest is the János Hill, with the Elisabeth lookout tower on top – even if János Hill is only the 4th highest point of the Buda Hills. It is 527 metres, with the lookout tower adding 23.5 metres. Residents have always wanted a lookout tower, and the present building was worth the wait.

If the weather is good, it is possible to see as far as over 10 kilometres.

The current lookout tower is a beautiful Neo-Roman stone build by Frigyes Schulek, architect of the Fisherman’s Bastion, but there has been a long list of previous attempts, mostly from wood. It got its name after Empress Elisabeth of Austria, who was assassinated in 1898. The Empress was so loved and respected that more than 10 years after her death, Hungarians wanted to honour her and named the lookout tower after her.

The shortest underground section

The Millennium Underground Railway, or Metro Line M1, the ‘yellow line’, can be proud of several things. First of all, it was the first underground of continental Europe (only London had one before Hungary) as well as the first ever operating on electricity instead of steam, the old-time favourite. The shortest section between two stations is also here, from all the metro lines in Budapest. The average distance between two stops is 374 metres. However, the distance between Kodály Circus and Bajza Street is only 190 metres.

*Metro Line 1 (Small Subway)*
*/Daily News Hungary/*

The metro line, opened in 1896, originally had 9 underground stations and 2 were on ground level. Back then, the line came above ground behind Heroes’ Square, making Bajza Street the last station but one. Even though the line is somewhat longer now, it is still the shortest in Budapest, with the most stations compared to its size.

The longest underground escalator

Going down to certain stations, especially on Metro Line M2, can feel like you have been standing on the escalator forever. Well, the longest way down is

at Széll Kálmán Square, with the station being 38.6 metres under the ground, where the strong draft only adds to the feeling the ride is never going to end.

Metro Line M2 was under construction by the ’50s; however, the section from Örs Vezér Square to Deák Ferenc Square as well as the section to Déli Railway Station were only completed in 1972. The station at Széll Kálmán Square was built in a three-tunnel-style, with 4 escalators taking us downwards.

The highest building in Buda

budapest, city, chimney — *Northern-Buda Thermal Power Plant*
*Photo: facebook.com/pages/Észak-Budai-Fűtőmű*

The highest building on the Buda side is the chimney of the Northern-Buda Thermal Power Plant. It has four management levels and an elevator with racks. The ferroconcrete tower was originally designed to host four smoke pipes; however, it only has two at the moment. Nevertheless, it is the third highest chimney in Hungary.

The tallest residential building

When it comes to the tallest residential building in Budapest, people often think about Semmelweis University’s block at Nagyvárad Square; however, that is not a residential building. The tallest residential building is actually the Újpalota water tower, built in 1975 based on the plans of Tibor Tenke and József Thoma. It is clearly visible from various points in Budapest.

Another curiosity of the building is its energetic wave lines and rounded edges that appear again and again on the inside. As for the size, contradicting data exist, however, both the plans and a professional article claim that

the building is 70.93 metres without the antennas, has 20 levels, 18 of which are for residents.

There are 98 flats inside, with the two top ones joined together as an artist’s studio.

The bridge built for the longest time

The bridge in Budapest that was planned and built for the longest time – not to mention that it was actually the longest bridge, up to 2008 – is Árpád Bridge. In its place, there used to be a bridge from Roman times, to help ease the way from Aquincum to the other side. For the present bridge, there were plans all the way back in 1903, though, officially, the plans were only brought public in 1929. Construction started in 1933; however, it had to be paused because of the Second World War. After the end of the war, working on the bridge continued, and it was unveiled at last on 7th November 1950. At the time, it bore the name of Stalin, but let us just forget about that.

Árpád bridge híd — *Árpád Bridge, Photo: Wiki Commons by Christo*

Another curiosity of Árpád Bridge is that it brushes past two islands – Margaret Island and Óbuda Island – and that it was later extended, meaning one additional bridge was erected on each side. So, technically, Árpád Bridge is made up of three parallel but connecting bridges.

Nowadays, the longest bridge is actually the Megyer Bridge connecting Újpest and Budakalász.

The longest road

I bet you had no idea there was a road in the city as long as 15 kilometres… That is right, it is called Üllői Road, and it goes all the way from Kálvin Square to the South-Eastern part of Budapest. It goes through 5 districts, and its very last house number is 871. There is a lot to see if you venture onto any part of the road. You can see the Museum of Applied Arts, the Orczy Garden, the Groupama Arena as well as Népliget (People’s Park).

budapest, road, architecture — *Üllői Road, Photo: hampage.hu*

This road has gone through a lot of change over the decades, for instance, the ongoing renovation of metro line M3 also made it necessary to change certain things. However, it is still an integral part of the feeling of Budapest.

For more news, check out this article about the pilots’ view of Budapest.

Featured image: www.facebook.com/pg/budapestimages, Bódis Krisztián – The Parliament

September 3, 2018

National pantheon and palm garden in Budapest?

National pantheon, castle of King Matthias, palm garden, and so on in Budapest. Do you know about these? Do not worry if the answer is no, as these were all plans that were never realised. Szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu shared the interesting list of ideas that people had during history to replace the Citadel.

Why would they want to replace it? Well, the Citadel on the Gellért Hill has always been a symbol of terror, shame and defeat for Hungarians. It had been built by General Haynau after the defeat of the 1848-49 revolution and served the goal to terrify Hungarians.

The cannons were always pointed at Pest to stop any attempt at rebellion.

Although after the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 the Citadel had lost its military function in still harmed the national feelings of Hungarians and housed Austrian soldiers. They were probably guarding the building itself, as it had no purpose at the moment, and it remained in Austrian ownership until 1899.

Getting rid of the Citadel

People already started to plan how to get rid of the hated building after the Compromise. They wanted to erase it from the landscape and from their memories, so the first step in each plan was to demolish the Citadel. From that on there was no agreement on how to continue.

budapest landscape citadel — The Citadel. Photo: Fortepan/Budapest Achives/György Klösz

After 1899 when the Austrian army returned the territory and building to Budapest, the ideas really started flying:

Restoration

One of the first and most self-explanatory ideas was to restore the observatory that used to stand there. The Uraniae (Csillagda) even served as a shelter for Hungarian soldiers during the revolution, but it was severely damaged.

National pantheon

The second big plan is often attributed to István Széchenyi and was revived over and over again.

This idea was to replace the symbol of shame and defeat with a place of glory, that is, to build a national Pantheon.

Lázár Pejakovics got closest to the realisation of this plan as he already created a budget and the outline of the building. He wished to present Árpád and all the princes and kings following him, the leaders of the ancient seven clans and representatives of the oldest noble families as well.

He imagined a church-like building with passages, galleries and with two side-pavilions commemorating the Hungarian conquest and the revolution.

The monumental building could have been built from 20-30 million Forints which was way out of the possible budget. In comparison, the Opera House was built from 2 million Forints at that time. So around the 1910s the plan of the Pantheon was abandoned for good.

What actually happened

The truth is that the Budapest did not have the money to demolish the Citadel, to begin with, so even after 1899 they only made smaller changes on the building. The sandstone bastion was pulled down, and the walls were demolished only to do away with the militant characteristics of the Citadel.

Lack of money must have been the main reason why nothing came of the many magnificent ideas.

Luxury and palm garden

During the years other suggestions were also made, such as building

baths, the castle of King Matthias, a theatre or a Basilica for Saint Gellért.

The most lavish plan beyond any doubt came from a private consortium. They wished to rent the whole top of the mountain from the capital and planned to turn it into an enormous hotel and bar establishment.

Inside they would have made an exclusive place of entertainment, and they wanted to

surround the building with luxury hotels, villas and palm gardens!

Most probably in this case it was not the lack of money but common sense that prevented the realisation.

There is no doubt, our history is full of intrigue and surprising facts like this, so if you wish to read more, do not forget to learn the secrets of the liberty statue.

liberty statue citadel szabadság szobor citadella budapest — The liberty statue and the Citadel today. Photo: wikicommons/rHerczeg

Featured image: Fortepan / Budapest Archives

August 28, 2018

Hungarian Brick Visual won Architizer Award

Brick Visual just won both the public and the jury voting at Architizer’s A+ Awards in the rendering and modeling category with their Geneva project, reported index.hu.

Architizer’s awards are a prestigious recognition in the field or architecture. This is the largest awards program focused on promoting and celebrating the year’s best architecture products. These awards are bigger than just the architectural communities. Entries are judged by a panel of more than 400 distinguished luminaries and thought leaders from fields as diverse as fashion, publishing, product design, real estate development and tech. Finalists and winners are recognized as the year’s most influential visionaries.

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This is not the first time when Hungarians get awards at the Architizer’s A+ Awards, we are definitely good at architectural visualization. Two years ago we reported that three Hungarian architect groups won at the Architizer Awards.

The entry deadline was back in April, and while the jury voted in June, we still had to wait another month for the public vote. The public voting ended on the 20th of July, and the winners were announced on the 3oth. The Champ du Chateau won both the jury and the public award in its category: Concepts — Plus-Architecture + Models and Rendering.

Brick Visual is usually working on projects abroad, the one they won with, the Champ du Chateau Project was designed for Geneva. It is beautiful, but at the moment, it is only a design. Let us hope that it gets built soon.

Brick Visual said that it was an honor to be nominated and a confirmation that Hungarian architectural visualization as a profession is holding its own even at an international scale. Winning the public vote shows the strength of the community, mostly other artists who voted in their favor. But the award of the jury is an unbelievable success.

Featured image: Brick Visual

August 3, 2018

9 things you might want to know about the Buda Castle

Budapest is well-known for its secrets and beautiful historical sites, but there is one that stands out high among the others, the Buda Castle and the Castle District. This architectural wonder is one of the oldest jewels of the city which has lived through almost all the major historical events that happened in Hungary. We have collected some interesting facts about the Castle to help you get to know the nation’s history through it.

1. A classy cavalcade of styles

The castle was built originally in Gothic style, but bore traces of the Renaissance as well. The Renaissance style was first used outside its ‘home’ in Italy in Hungary, thanks to King Matthias Corvinus, who

introduced this style not just through renovation, but also through inviting artists and scientists from Italy.

When the Turks took the castle in 1541, they started to re-design the buildings and interior in Muslim style. However, their residence did not last long, as the Habsburg forces retook the castle in the 1680s. The sieges laid serious waste to the building, so it was agreed to demolish the ruins and build a smaller palace in its place. This took place between 1714 and 1723.

In 1896 it was renovated again, this time by Miklós Ybl, who is known for the designs of the Hungarian Parliament and by Alajos Hauszmann. The following photos were taken by Hauszmann:

The Second World War seems to be the biggest tragedy in the history of the Castle, as only one hall was left intact after the sieges and bombings out of the 900, the Nádor crypt. However, several rooms were saved and renovated and today are part of the Budapest History Museum in building E.

2. Europe-wide praise

When Sigismund became the head of the Holy Roman Empire, Buda became Europe’s political centre and capital city. Since the king resided in the castle, his residence itself was declared a jewel of Europe too. Travellers in the middle ages used to say that Europe had three crown jewels:

Venice on the waters, Florence on the plains and Buda on the hills.

3. Part of the world heritage

In 1987 the first Hungarian addition to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites was announced. There are several Hungarian wonders on the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but the first one is the Buda Castle and the Castle District. Owing to this honorary title, the castle’s renovation proved to be a dodgy process as serious alterations to the original plans cannot be made.

4. A cultural centre

The Buda Castle is worth a visit not just because the wonderful and artistic architecture and because of its historical value or the view of Pest that you get from here, but also because of the various ways in which culture flows through it. The castle itself gives the home to the National Széchényi Library, the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. Aside from these institutions, the Budapest Wine Festival (September 6-9 this year) and the Festival of Folk Arts (August 17-20) are both organised here.

The National Gallery inside Buda Castle

5. A whole city underneath the Castle District

No one would be surprised if we said that there is a complicated tunnel system beneath the Castle District, as such catacombs and labyrinths played an essential part in defense in the past. Although the exact measures and mapping of the tunnel system underneath the Castle District is yet to be said for sure,

many agree that the intricate system is of 10000 metres in length.

However, some historians argue that the tunnels inside the Buda hill were not man-made originally, but nature formed them thousands of years ago. The people living there long before the ancient Hungarians arrived here usually hid in these caves and tunnels from predators.

Later, during the Turkish raids, the Hungarians hid their provisions and weapons in the catacombs. The Turkish used the catacombs when they finally occupied the Castle for storing food and there were even a couple of ice-chambers. When Charles, Duke of Lorraine began to retake the Castle from the Turks in 1698, the Turks expanded the tunnels and hid there.

The catacombs served as a makeshift hospital during the Second World War for the German forces.

The tunnel system was built in such a style that it can be accessed from several residential homes.

6. Urban legends and myths

The myths surrounding the catacombs and tunnel system underneath the castle and the castle district were cooked up mainly during the 1800s. Word said that if the pashas residing here during the Turkish occupation got bored of one of their odalisques, they had these poor women built into the walls of the cellars and tunnels.

There are other stories built on the ideas of ghosts and vampires residing there, but the scariest one was the one that involved the ‘Black Count’, the father and king of all blood-suckers, Dracula himself. There is not much truth to either of these stories, but it is known for sure that

convicts and criminals on the run often hid in these tunnels,

as the police could not find them there easily, thanks to the complicated, maze-like design of the system.

7. Cannot be accessed by car

Well, this is not entirely true, as the residents of the Castle District and buses can get inside the guarded ‘city’. If you want to access the district, you can either take a walk or

take bus 16, 16A or 116 or you can try the Castle Hill Funicular.

8. Sisi’s favourite sweets

Locals say that when the famous and beloved Empress Elisabeth of Austria lived in the Buda Castle with her husband, Franz Joseph I of Austria, she had a favourite confectionery, the Ruszwurm. Her favourite treats from there were the spearmint candies and the iced coffee.

The confectionery is still operating, if you are interested in why Sisi loved it so much.

Inside the Ruszwurm confectionery
photo: http://www.ruszwurm.hu/ruszwurm-galeria/

9. Does Viktor Orbán live there?

No, contrary to popular belief, he does not, but the President of Hungary, János Áder does, in the Sándor palace to be more precise, where his office is found too.

July 28, 2018

List: Hungary’s top 10 hotels

Some of these might surprise you. Here are Hungary’s top 10 hotels based on TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards 2018. If you are interested in the other parts of this series, here are the top 10 Hungarian fine dining restaurants or the top 10 Bed&Breakfasts and Inns.

10. Opera Garden Hotel & Apartments

Opera garden hotel budapest — Photo: www.operagardenhotel.hu

Opera Garden Hotel & Apartments is located only a few blocks away from the Opera House and Andrássy Avenue. The apartment hotel is only 100 meters away from Nagymező Street which hosts several theatres, bars, restaurants and cafés. The most popular tourist sights are also very close to the hotel. The hotel’s 110-year-old building was restored in the spirit of state-of-the-art architecture, and according to its website: “it blends traditional elements with contemporary design and high technology. The hotel harmonises modern and classical, entertainment and harmony, recreation and discovery, elegance and cosiness. Stepping into the building, you will leave the noisy city life behind and enter a stunning new world, a small oasis.”

9. Barack Thermal Hotel & Spa, Tiszakécske

Barack Thermal Hotel & Spa is located in the Southern part of the country in the town of Tiszakécske. It opened in June 2014. River Tisza is only 100 meters away from the hotel. The hotel offers family rooms with separated sleeping places, suites and rooms accessible for our physically disabled guests as well. Free Wi-Fi is available in all areas of the air-conditioned hotel. There is a free outdoor parking place 100 meters from the entrance. There is also a health and medical department and a spa, where families can enjoy our adventure bath facilities. Furthermore, beauty services, wellness treatments and other are also available in the Thermal Spa.

8. Boutique Hotel Victoria

Photo:www.victoria.hu

Hotel Victoria opened in 1990 on the riverside in Budapest with spectacular views from all of its hotel rooms. The boutique hotel has 27 panoramic rooms, each room is on the riverside, equipped with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows. The view of the Danube encompasses Margaret Island, the Pest riverbank, the Parliament and the famous Danube Bridges. The owners aim to operate Hotel Victoria as the best Boutique hotel in Budapest. The hotel is less than a 10-minute walk from Buda Castle district where the Royal Palace, St Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion are located. The Chain Bridge is only 250 metres from the hotel. The 4-star hotel offers free Wi-Fi, A/C, a rich buffet breakfast, as well as a historic concert hall and tearoom.

7. Prestige Hotel Budapest

Prestige Hotel Budapest opened in April, 2015. The hotel was reconstructed in 2014 from a former 19th century townhouse built by Jozsef Hild (the most creative architect of the Hungarian neoclassicism and reform period). Their website states: “Magnificent architecture and divine cuisine – A marriage of these two has Budapest’s Michelin-starred restaurant joined forces with a glorious, brand new hotel, set in a restored town palace.”

6. Hotel Parlament

hotel parlament budapest — Photo: www.hotelparlamentbudapest.com

Hotel Parlament is located in Kalmár Imre street, near the Nyugati Railway station in Budapest. It is a newly constructed four-star Hotel that combines a historically styled facade with its chic and fashionable interior.

5. Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace

Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace is one of Budapest’s most iconic and stunning architectural masterpieces. It embodies historic grandeur and youthful exuberance. It has an Art Nouveau building designed by two Hungarian architects: Zsigmond Quittner and József Vágó. (check out the other stunning building of Budapest here). The restored palace brings together 2 million mosaic tiles, an ornate Preciosa chandelier and dramatic stairways. Recently, Travel and Leisure Magazine included the hotel in its list of the best 25 city hotels in Europe.

4. Wellness Hotel Katalin, Gyenesdiás

Photo: www.wellnesshotel-balaton.com

This hotel is located in the Western part of Balaton near Keszthely and Hévíz, in a peaceful and green area in the town of Gyenesdiás. It is only 300 metres away from Lake Balaton and the marina. The hotel has a large swimming pool and a paddling pool which are the most beloved parts of their garden. The garden has a total area of 12 000 m2, for which the hotel was awarded with the title of “the most flowery accommodation of the Balaton region” at the environment beautifying competition called “For a flowery Balaton”. The 4-star wellness hotel offers wellness services such as its extensive sauna world, indoor pool, Jacuzzi, Finnish sauna, salt room, infra cabin or bio sauna.

3. Hotel Palazzo Zichy

hotel palazzo zichy budapest — Photo: www.hotel-palazzo-zichy.hu

Hotel Palazzo Zichy is situated in the Palace District surrounded by restaurants, bars, terraces, cafes and shops. The building of the hotel used to be a palace in the 19th century which was turned into a four-star hotel in 2009. The facade and the interior preserved the beauty of the old mansion built for the famous Hungarian noble, Count Nándor Zichy and for his family. Famous sights of Budapest, such as the Hungarian National Museum, the Great Synagogue, the Great Market Hall or the Holocaust Memorial Centre are only a short walk away from the hotel.

2. Hotel Moments Budapest

Hotel Moments Budapest is located on Andrássy Avenue, only a short walk away from the Hungarian State Opera House, the St. Stephen’s Basilica and other popular sights of Budapest. It is a renewed four-star hotel with 99 elegant and tastefully decorated rooms in three different categories. The hotel has a modern and cosy Bistro Fine restaurant “offering wide selection of quality wine and tasty Hungarian and international specialties”.

1. Aria Hotel Budapest

Aria Hotel Budapest is a member of the hotel chain Library Hotel Collection which owns hotels all over the globe: in New York City (Hotel Giraffe and Library Hotel), Toronto (Hotel X), but the hotel chain focuses on the Central European region. Aria Hotel Budapest is a five-star hotel that opened in March, 2015, and it is located in Hercegprímás street, in District V. You might have heard about the hotel’s next door neighbour: St. Stephen’s Basilica. Apart from its great location, the hotel’s whole concept is what makes it so incredibly popular. The hotel’s main theme is music. There are four wings, each represents a different musical genre: there is a classical wing, a jazz wing, an opera wing and a contemporary wing.

[button link=”https://dailynewshungary.com/aria-hotel-budapest-is-the-best-hotel-in-the-world-again/” type=”big” newwindow=”yes”] Aria Hotel Budapest is the best hotel in the world, again![/button]

Featured image: www.prestigehotelbudapest.com

June 22, 2018

Budapest City Center gets a brand new Szervita square

A luxury centre and a new park will be built in Szervita square, downtown Budapest, PestBuda.hu reports. The new and improved square will host offices, residential units, shops and a new park. Let us look at the mock-ups.

Szervita square

Szervita square is located somewhere between Astoria and Deák Ferenc square in the heart of Budapest. The square is famous for its really old church called the Church of St. Anne. There used to be an old telephone centre and a parking lot next to the church. Both of these have been recently demolished to provide space for the new projects.

Szervita tér Budapest — Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org by Thaler Tamas

The Szervita project’s developer is the Horizon Development Inc. The construction is expected to be finished by 2020.

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The concept

The new building to be built is called Szervita Square Building which will be a mixed-use, LEED Platinum certified sustainable commercial building, offering retail and office premises, as well as luxury residential units. It will be a uniquely shaped, modern 7-storey building.

According to the website of Horizon Development:

“With its abundant natural light, functional and inviting interiors, flexible layouts, natural proportions, cosmopolitan ambience, and excellent accessibility and visibility, it is an ideal office and retail destination in the CBD with maximum brand exposure, and the perfect setting for exclusive top-floor residences. Underground levels -2, -3, -4 and -5 will accommodate private and public parking.”

PestBuda.hu argues that, based on the mock-up photos, the building does not look unique at all. In fact, it looks very similar to any other luxury project happening in the capital.

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The building will be connected to its surroundings through a large community space and public park which aim to revitalise the entire area of Szervita square. We hope that it will be a real park, and not only a weird mixture of cement and grass, which is so typical to the Hungarian capital.

Featured image: horizondevelopment.hu

June 22, 2018

Hidden Gems of Hungary – thousand year old villages

In these little villages, tradition lives on. Some of them are almost a thousand years old. The Great Plain has the kind of romanticism that inspired many great poets and writers and now Femina.hu collected some truly unique places to show us.

Most people think of Hortobágy when they hear the phrase Great Hungarian Plain, imagining the whip-cracking horsemen. But if you travel a bit north from there, you could see villages that are just as interesting in a different manner.

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These villages from the Great Northern Plain still retain parts of our culture from hundreds of years ago. There are murals that were painted 800 years ago, churches with wood shingles, wood headstones in cemeteries. These are all beautiful on their own, but together they are absolutely amazing.

Csaroda

csaroda hungarian village church — Photo: www.csaroda.hu

Csaroda is a village in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, in the Northern Great Plain region of eastern Hungary. The name Csaroda was first mentioned in 1299. It got its name from a river, the Cierna Voda, meaning black water.

Csaroda is a Romanesque village, with a 13th century Reformed Church. The church spire is made of wooden shingles. Inside the church you can see the 14th century Gothic frescoes. From the original painting that depicted the 12 Apostles, you can still see 6, in good condition. An old wooden bell-tower from the 13th century stands at the church.

One of the most remarkable things about this village are the wattle houses: wooden strips are woven together then covered with mud plaster, this forms the wall of the houses.

Tákos

Tákos is a village neighboring Csaroda. The village is famous because of its folk art, especially the needlework art of “beregi keresztszemes” (cross-needled workshop) textile style. You can see this kind of needlework in the church and all around the village.

The locals usually refer to the Reformed church as the Barefoot Norte-Dame, since the plastering of the mud was done by foot. This church has a special interior too. Many artists have been working on the paintings on the walls. The ceiling is especially wonderful.

Szatmárcseke

szatmarcseke cemetery wooden headstones — Photo: www.szatmarcseke.hu

Szatmárcseke kölcsey monument — Photo: www.szatmarcseke.hu

It might seem unusual, but if you are anywhere near Szatmárcseke, you must visit the cemetery. The boat shaped wooden headstones make this cemetery the most interesting in the country. There is still a lot of controversy about this: was the shape inspired by our Finno-ugric roots or just a consequence of one of the floods. You can also find a monument here for Ferenc Kölcsey, who is famous for writing Himnusz, the national anthem of Hungary. He spent a lot of time in this village, and this was where he died.

Máriapócs

wooden church Mariapocs — Photo: http://mariapocs.hu

hungarian village weeping madonna — Photo: http://mariapocs.hu

mariapocs village — Photo: http://mariapocs.hu

Máriapócs has been populated since the 13th century and it is a place of pilgrimage. Today’s place of worship was once a wooden church with the famous Weeping Madonna icon. Today an 18th century copy is placed above the altar, the original one, painted by László Csibi is being kept in Vienna. The copy was made by István Telekessy in 1707, and it has been seen weeping several times, just like the original painting.

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Featured image: takos.hu

June 21, 2018

The Hungarian Parliament is the 10th most beautiful building in the world!

Hungarian tourism portal Turizmusonline reports that the Hungarian Parliament made it to the top 10 most beautiful buildings around the world listing by TripAdvisor.

TripAdvisor is considered to be the most popular touristic portal, so the Hungarian Parliament getting featured on one of their lists is an important recognition. Hungarian hotels were featured in their top 25 hotel rankings on several occasions, the last time this has occurred was last January.

Now the Hungarian Parliament has made it to their Top 25 Landmarks – World ranking. This year the Parliament is 10^th on the list, climbing up from last year’s 14^th place. It is ahead of the Notre Dame (Paris), the Acropolis (Athens) or the main square of Prague, so travellers are really fascinated with this gem of Hungarian architecture.

Turizmusonline writes that the Hungarian Parliament is Europe’s second and the world’s third largest parliament.

Even though the building was intended to commemorate the 1000^th anniversary of the Hungarian Conquest of the Carpathian Basin (896), the building was finished only later, in 1904, five weeks after the death of the main designer, Imre Steindl. Out of the 19 plans that were submitted, three were accepted: one is the main winner, Steindl’s parliament, the other two are the Museum of Ethnography and the Ministry of Agriculture. All three buildings are situated at Kossuth Square.

Considering the construction material, this is a very special building, as except for the 6-metre-tall marble-monoliths along the main stairs, which were imported from Sweden, everything is 100% Hungarian.

Despite the fact that today the Parliament is awed mostly for its Neo-Gothic style, back in the day when the first maquettes were revealed, the plan received harsh criticism:

many people associated this style with the Germans. Thus the design was deemed to be ‘anti-Hungarian’. The citizens and architecture critics were so outraged that their negative remarks reached the National Embassy, where there was a strong division among the members whether such a design was worth the nation’s money or not. Fortunately for the later generations, they found it to be worthy.

Below you can find some of the most interesting articles that we have written on the Parliament so far:

10+1 things you didn’t know about the Hungarian Parliament
115 years of the Hungarian Parliament
10 Interesting videos about the Hungarian Parliament: part 1 and part 2
This is how the Hungarian Parliament was built

Here are the Top 10 Landmarks:

Angkor Wat – Siem Reap, Cambodia
Plaza de Espana – Seville, Spain
Seikh Zayed Mosque – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Saint Peter’s Basilica – Vatican City, Italy
Mosque of Córdoba – Córdoba, Spain
Taj Mahal – Agra, India
Milan Cathedral – Milan, Italy
Alcatraz Island – San Francisco, California
Golden Gate Bridge – San Francisco, California
Hungarian Parliament – Budapest, Hungary

featured image: Guavin Pictures

May 26, 2018

A trendy new mall to be built in Budapest

Although there are already several malls on the Buda side of the Hungarian capital city, zoom.hu reports that the latest addition to the shopping complexes will also be the biggest one in Buda. Etele Plaza will be built next to the Kelenföld railway station.

Etele Plaza will occupy 55 thousand square metres next to the Kelenföld railway station (easily accessible by metro line 4) and will be Budapest’s third biggest shopping- and entertainment centre. The biggest fashion lines will be represented at this mall, developed by the Futureal group which also built the award-winning Nokia Skypark. Zoom.hu argues that this construction will be unique in Hungary thanks to the architectural methods employed and the digital services it will offer.

The mall will open in 2020 and will be easily accessible both from the city centre by metro line 4 or from outside Budapest by taking highways M1 or M7.

The location is well thought out as several highways, roads and railroads intersect nearby.

However, the location is great for business not just because of the intersections, but also because metro line 4 has a stop nearby, the Kelenföld railway station is close by and there is also a bus station in a close reach. All of these public transport spots are frequented by 165 people altogether on a daily basis. Thanks to this, 40 thousand people are expected to visit the mall daily, arriving both from Budapest and from the nearby towns, villages.

Just like other malls, Etele Plaza will give a home to grocery stores, restaurants, cafés, a cinema, fitness club, a playground for children, clothing shops, altogether 200. The difference lies in the numbers, as there will be much more shops occupying much more space than in any other malls in Budapest. If you are worried about getting lost in the mall, there is an application designed to find the desired shop or service.

Also, there will be a parking lot with 1300 places, equipped with a state of the art navigational and GPS system which will make finding an empty spot significantly easier.

photos: zoom.hu

May 18, 2018

Must-see castles of Hungary

Travelo.hu listed the most beautiful castles in the country; the trick lies in deciding which one you want to see first. Do you want to take a carriage ride along the black pines in Keszthely, maybe have a picnic and treat yourself to a wine tasting? Or do you want to get a glimpse of the life of count Almásy and his servants in Gyula? Or maybe you would rather start by experiencing the extravagance of 19^th century aristocratic balls in Tolcsva? History lessons have never been this fun!

Széchenyi castle in Nagycenk

This castle is on our list mainly because its park was once the most popular venue for taking wedding pictures. Also, the rows of linden-trees in front of the entrance are so unique that they made it onto the UNESCO world heritage list. One and a half years ago a permanent exhibition was opened. This lets the visitors walk through the castle, room by room, and experience a day in the Count’s life. The exhibition has a separate section showing Széchenyi’s role in the social organisations of that era and all his initiatives connected to water. Another room is decorated to show his travels, the inventions and customs of people he met abroad.

After almost 60 years the chapel has regained its original purpose. The chapel was the first thing built in this castle, and the Széchenyi family used it for 200 years. But in case you have already seen the castle, do not miss the mausoleum that was renovated during the summer of 2015. You can find it in the municipal cemetery of Nagycenk, where the burial vaults contain not only the remains of István Széchenyi, but also the remains of his 46 descendants.

If you are looking for a thematic playground, look no further than the Saint Stephen Church.

Here you can find Széchenyi balancing on top of the see-saw, a wooden version of the Chain Bridge and a labyrinth symbolizing the Széchenyi family-tree.

If you are planning to visit during the spring or summer, you can even try the Széchenyi Museum Railway. The train is available for travel between the 1^st of May and the 30^th of September on the route Fertőboz—Barátság—Castle (Nagycenk). The little steam locomotive could be the perfect thing that helps us travel back in time and experience the castle and the museum thoroughly, through the eyes of a 19th-century aristocrat.

Business hours: during the spring and summer, Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm.

Entrance fee: adults 1400 Ft, students (26 years old and under) and seniors 700 Ft.

Festetics Castle in Keszthely

The Festetics castle is both a museum and an event centre. Kristóf Festetics started building it in 1745, and 140 years later, after the demolition of the north wing, Tasziló Festetics II. made plans to have a new wing built. Which is why the castle is now twice the size of the original construction. It also has central heating and running water.

Keszthely kastély castle Festetics — Photo: www.facebook.com/festeticskastelyhivatalos/

Interestingly, Tasziló is like the protagonist of a love story. Mary-Victoria Douglas-Hamilton, the princess of Monaco, decided not to go through with her arranged marriage, she moved to Keszthely instead.

The castle was renovated two years ago, and the former living spaces were transformed into the Festetics Portrait Gallery. It is worth walking through every single room, because there are not many places that have this level of splendour: chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, antique furniture and a home library with 80 thousand Helikon books. Of course, the life of the nobility does not stop at the magnificent castle: visitors can look through exhibitions featuring chariots and hunting.

After your tour, head down to the 500-year-old wine cellar and try the wine tasting offered by the House of Balaton Wines (Balatoni Borok Háza).

The Festetics Castle is the first Hungarian castle that offers some unique services.

You can buy whole picnic baskets, filled with local foods, and head out to the grassy areas around the castle and have a nice meal, experiencing some new tastes, all the while having a magnificent castle in the background.

It is another option to rent some modern sports equipment or toys that were popular in that era. The castle is still forming and changing; the park will become four times its original size after all the renovations are done. The park will be remade to mirror the construction plans made in the 1880s in England. Soon, we will have a 7 kilometres long trail in the woods that is perfect for a carriage ride.

Business hours: May to June 10am-5pm, July to August 9am-6pm.

Entrance fee: tickets for the whole exhibition are 3700 Ft for adults, 1850 Ft for students (ages 6-26), but the tickets can be purchased for individual sections too. Click here to read about ticket prices.

Read about the city of Keszthely by clicking here, and find other interesting places to visit while you are in the area.

Almásy Castle in Gyula

This is the castle where you are greeted by a butler and where you can see a room with 500 keys hanging on the walls.

The castle was renovated, and it opened two years ago in Gyula. The building now houses a café, a museum and a gift store. 21-century high-tech audio tours guide visitors, and upon entering the castle, they are met by the 3D image of the butler, the housekeeper, the cook and the curtsying chambermaid. After watching a short film about life in the castle, visitors are welcome to start roaming the building.

Gyula Almásy Kastély Castle — Photo: www.facebook.com/GyulaiAlmasykastely

The castle was built in the 18^th century, and every room is there to give us a glimpse into the world of the servants and their hierarchy. We can see how laundry and ironing were done hundreds of years ago and there is a mock-up showing us the housekeeper’s room. The housekeeper was at the top of the servant hierarchy; she was the one who had keys to everything in the castle. The exhibition also has an old cookbook we can look through, and we can smell the perfume of the era, called the National fragrance. You can look through the photos taken in the castle’s many rooms here.

Entrance fee: 2200 Ft for adults, 1100 for students (under 26) and seniors. A ticket for the lookout tower is either 400 Ft or 200 Ft (for students and seniors).

Business hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-6pm. Guided tours from 10:30, 11:30 and 14:30.

Szirmay-Waldbott castle in Tolcsva

The visitor centre was opened two years ago after the renovations were finished in the saloon, the library and the chapel. The park also got a new look. There is an exhibition about local history, showing the story of the building and the lifestyle of its occupants. The Szirmay family already had a big land in Tokaj-Hegyalja during the 17^th century and a house in Tolcsva in the 1700s. Stories say that the castle still retains some elements of the original house.

TOLCSVAI SZIRMAY-WALDBOTT KASTÉLY — Photo: www.facebook.com/pg/tolcsvaikastely/

Ödön Szirmay sold the castle to the Waldbott family in 1850. The current construction dates back to the time of Baron Frigyes Waldbott. Visitors have the option of using a mobile app called “By guide” to learn about the two noble families and the history of the castle. There are also touchscreen monitors in every room that offer information. Aside from the thematic rooms, the ceremonial hall, the library with 18 family crests and the saloon with its original wainscoting are all furnished based on old photos so that visitors can immerse themselves in the atmosphere on the 1900s.

Business hours: spring and summer, Tuesday to Saturday 9am-5pm.

Entrance fee: 1200 Ft for adults, 600 Ft for students and seniors, family tickets for 2500 Ft.

If you are interested in a more extensive list of Hungarian castles, check out our previous article:

[button link=”#https://dailynewshungary.com/20-must-see-castles-in-hungary/” type=”big” color=”lightblue” newwindow=”yes”] 20 must see castles in Hungary[/button]

Featured image: Széchenyi castle. Source: facebook.com/nagycenk.szechenyikastely/

May 13, 2018

Hungary’s Nokia Skypark is the world’s second best office building

It has been barely a year since the state-of-the-art office building, Nokia Skypark, was opened on the Corvin Promenade in Budapest. The building that gives a home to one of Hungary’s largest IT centre has now made it to the top three at the FIABCI Prix d’Excellence Awards, as building trade portal Magyar Építők reports.

This is not the first time that Nokia Skypark was awarded since it was opened last May. In November 2017, it was crowned as ‘The best project of the year’ at the Portfolio Property Awards. Shortly, in December, it cashed in another title for the best project at the FIABCI Hungarian awards.

Award-winning designer

ZDA-Zoboki and Associate Architects designed the building, Futureal developed it, and it is the latest and last addition to the Corvin Promenade. Nokia Skypark is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, but this comes as no surprise as technological- and research developments are taking place there. The building complex lies on a 25 thousand square metres large territory, costing around 70 million euros.

The aforementioned designer, the ZDA-Zoboki and Associate Architects, is the only company in Hungary to win four times the FIABCI award.

The company won two international first prizes and the second prize for their design plans on the Palace of Arts, the Gedeon Richter Ltd. Chemical Research and Office Building, and the Telenor Headquarters. Also, ZDA-Zoboki and Associate Architects were awarded a FIABCI Excellence Diploma.

The front of the Palace of Arts
photo: csepel.blogspot.com

FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence

Magyar Építők writes that the latest award that Nokia Skypark won was the silver medal at the FIABCI-organised World Prix d’Excellence challenge. The 69^th FIABCI World Congress along with the award-giving ceremony was organised in Dubai. The FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Awards are organised for over 25 years now and is the world’s most prestigious real estate development award. Sixty countries are represented each year.

The main aspects taken into consideration when choosing the winner is the development’s main concept and the results, the architectural and civic design’s standard, the quality of the artistry and the amount of time spent on carrying out the plan. Environment protection is also important and the usefulness of the complex for society, along with the efficiency of the lending or the selling.

Featured image: magyarepitok.hu

May 5, 2018

Legendary stories about the world-famous New York Café

The walls of the more than 120 years old New York Café, which was chosen as the world’s most beautiful café, have seen a lot of things… The regular guests included famous Hungarian poets, authors who always found inspiration at the tables of “Nyeho”. Below you find some intriguing legends and stories found on the official website of the café.

Ferenc Molnár and the key of the New York Café

Rumour had it that the opening of the café in 1894 was attended by the celebrated representatives of the cultural world.

According to the legend, in the heat of the moment, Ferenc Molnár and his mates threw the key of the New York Café into the Danube so that the café would never close again.

However, there are some flaws in the story concerning that Ferenc Molnár was only a teenager at the time, so most probably he was not invited. But it might be the case that the story actually happened at the reopening of the café, which remains a legend due to the lack of documentation.

New York Café history — *Back in the day – Photo: www.facebook.com/NewYorkCafé*

What is certain that the Directorate of the café re-examined the story in 2014, but they did not find any evidence. Nonetheless, in order to stay true to the tradition, they threw the keys into the Danube so that the café would be open for at least 120 more years.

The Statue of Liberty fresco

Several legends are known about one of the most famous frescos of the café, which is found next to the entrance and depicts the Statue of Liberty.

Based on the legend, the fresco was made before the inauguration of the statue itself in New York.

But the truth is that the opening of the New York Café happened ten years later than the mounting of the statue.

What famous artists ordered

The New York Café always supported arts throughout its history. So it is no surprise that many of our famous writers, poets were regular guests – and the café still respects their memory.

Did you know that the favourite food of Mihály Babits was tripe? And that Endre Ady usually ordered lentil főzelék with stew?

Another curiosity is the “small literary” expression, which was born at the café in that time. Most Hungarian poets and writers led a poorish life. Hence they could not afford to order from the menu. That is why the café created a special, cheaper meal for them called “small literary”. The plate contained some ham, salami and cheese, for which the artists did not even have to pay most of the times.

Promoting art

“In the glamorous New York, they cleaned your shoes, ironed your clothes, cut our and nails…The café was a workshop, a writing desk and accommodation when needed. With all of its elegance, it was a democratic café. No one could resist its charm. Everyone knew everyone inside. The waiter served you immediately without ordering.

You got your black coffee, ink-well and paper without asking.”

Irénke, the literature-lover toilet keeper

Following the example of the famous Nyugat (West) magazine, after the change of regime, the editors of the 2000 magazine also gathered in the café. In that time, the cleanness of the toilets was guaranteed by Irénke Rózsáné, who always asked for the latest issue of the paper and was the fan of the writers. In exchange, she never accepted money from them for using the toilet.

Featured image: www.newyorkcafe.hu

April 24, 2018

The forgotten bridge of Budapest

Have you ever heard about the Kossuth Bridge? Well, according to lobu.hu, it stood for 14 years, and everything would have been harder without it. It ensured the healthy life cycle of the capital city and solved the problems of the era. Let us learn some facts about the forgotten bridge.

The Kossuth Bridge stood between Kossuth Square and Batthyány Square from 1946 until 1960. It was put out of commission after the inauguration of the Liberty Bridge. Its curiosity is that until then, it was the only river crossing place in Budapest to function throughout the whole year.

It was a symbol since it was a significant investment.

It stood for restart.

It was built in seven (!) months, the iron needed for the construction was made from war debris. Its bearing capacity was limited from the first moment on; in fact, after a while, bigger buses could not cross it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=35&v=sIto-AuN8Bk

24.hu writes that until the January of 1945, all of the bridges were demolished, which caused serious trouble after WWII as there was no place to cross the river. The Soviet troops built three military bridges out of which Manci Bridge, the replacer of Margaret Bridge stood for the longest time – until 1948.

But these types of bridges would not have withstood the next debacle, so the government decided to construct a half-permanent bridge until the damaged bridges were reconstructed.

There was only a little time for the construction, so the workers worked day and night to achieve the goal. The Kossuth Bridge was 355 metres long; there were two lanes for vehicles and 3.3-metre wide sidewalks.

The new bridge was an incredible achievement, but transportation was limited by special rules: vehicles could only cross it with 10 km/h, keeping a 20-metre safety gap.

It was not planned for eternity since there were also wooden elements among the panels. However, everything was substituted to steel in 1954. Still, by 1957, it had become so worn out that it had to be closed.

The old bridges were all reconstructed, and by 1963, there was no sign of the onetime Kossuth Bridge. To be more exact, the bridgeheads are still commemorated by two plaques on both sides of the river.

It did not live long, but it was definitely important and useful for Budapest.

Featured image: www.fortepan.hu/UVATERV

April 17, 2018

The beautiful stupas of Hungary – PHOTOS

Femina.hu collected the beautiful stupas that can be found and visited in Hungary. Even if Buddhism is not your cup of tea, these buildings are really worth seeing. Currently, there are seven stupas in Hungary, but the public can visit only five of them.

What is a stupa?

Even though Hungary is considered to be a Christian country, other religions have left their mark here and there throughout history. The Turkish built several mosques in Hungary, and there are a few beautiful Jewish synagogues too. However, fewer people are familiar with the Buddhist monuments called stupa.

Stupa is a mound-like structure that contains Buddhist relics, typically the ashes of Buddhist monks, and it is primarily used as a place of meditation.

A related architectural term is a chaitya, which is a prayer hall or temple containing a stupa. Stupas were originally huge mounds of dirt containing Buddha’s remains. As the religion started spreading, the original stupas were opened, and the remains were divided.

Stupas in Hungary

Currently, there are seven stupas in Hungary, but unfortunately, only five of them can be visited by the public. These five stupas are popular not only among believers but tourists as well.

The oldest and most popular stupa in Hungary can be found in Zalaszántó. It is called The Peace Stupa, and it was the very first stupa in Central Europe, built in 1992. It is also the tallest stupa so far in Central Europe.

It is 30 metres tall and 24 metres wide. The building is filled with peace, harmony and love. The 14th Dalai Lama inaugurated it. The stupa contains the remains (small bone fragments) of Buddha.

Another stupa can be found in Bükkmogyorósd, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county. The small but beloved Úszó Stupa symbolises enlightenment independent from external conditions.

Another stupa can be found in the Buddha Park in Tar, Nógrád county. It is called Kőrös Stupa.

The Enlightenment Stupa in Becske, Nógrád county is one of the newest buildings. It is nine meters tall, and people came all over from Nepal and Germany to help build it.

The Healing Buddha Stupa can be found in Biri-Táncsicstelep in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county. It is considered to be a monument of love, and it is nicely taken care of by the locals. It was built in 2008.

Featured image: Indafoto.hu/galocs

April 15, 2018

Budapest or Bucharest? – 11 facts helping in distinguishing these capitals

It is not only Romania that fights for putting an end to the confusion caused by the similar name of its capital, Bucharest, and the name of the Hungarian city, Budapest, but Hungary and Hungarians as well. It can create embarrassing situations if you mistakenly confuse Bucharest with Budapest or the other way around because neither Hungarians nor Romanians like pointing out the mistake to foreigners. Theculturetrip.com collected some useful facts that might help tourists in not confusing the Hungarian capital, Budapest, with the Romanian Bucharest anymore.

Do you remember that in 1992, Michel Jackson greeted his audience during his concert in Romania by saying “Hello, Budapest!”? During that time, this incident created a whirlwind, but similar subsequent situations occurred, for example, the one with some Spanish soccer fans. In 2012, 400 Spanish soccer fans wanted to see the 2012 Europa League Final organised in Bucharest, and guess where they did end up? Of course, in Budapest. In order to make it clear that the Hungarian capital, Budapest, is a different city from that of Bucharest, the capital of Romania, 11 amazing facts are collected here which will help you in distinguishing the two cities.

1. Two countries, two distinct languages

The most salient difference between the two cities is that their mother tongue is completely different from one another. Romanian is a Romance language which might be similar to Italian, Spanish or Portuguese given their common origin (though it has a decisively Slavic vocabulary). In contrast, Hungarian belongs to the Finno-Ugric language family like Finnish or Estonian, and it sounds completely different from Romanian (nor Romance, nor Slavic).

2. The Danube vs the Dambovita

Have you heard the expression the Pearl of the Danube? If yes, then you know that this refers to the Hungarian capital, Budapest, which is divided by the mighty Danube (Duna) river into Buda and Pest. Do not confuse it with the Dambovita river of Bucharest which is much smaller and maybe a bit less spectacular than the other river.

Budapest panorama photography — /www.facebook.com/KardosIldikóPhotography/

3. Little Paris vs the Queen of the Danube

Another important fact to know is that given the unique architecture of the Romanian capital inspired by Paris in the 19th century, it is frequently referred to as “the Little Paris” being the little replica of the city of love. An example of this architecture is the Calea Victoriei, an avenue, which exhibits all the breathtaking representatives of the Neo-classical and Art Deco styles. In contrast, Budapest is called “the Queen of the Danube” where a fantastic view unfolds before your eyes if you take a walk along the banks of the river.

quay budapest — Budapest quay /facebook/Kardos Ildikó Photography/

4. National dishes: the sarmale vs the Hungarian goulash

No trip can pass in Bucharest without tasting its traditional food, the sarmale, which is cooked from stuffed cabbage rolls. There is an endless number of restaurants where you can try this dish, so you can easily immerse yourself in culinary pleasures.

However, no Hungarian food can be more famous than the traditional goulash, the specialty of the country.

It is more like a thick stew richly spiced with paprika, and its fantastic flavour is like heaven in your mouth.

5. Two countries, two unique Parliament buildings

There is no doubt that the Romanian House of Parliament is an imposing building rising above the capital. This Parliament is the biggest administrative building in the world, and it is incredible how elaborated it is paying attention to even the smallest details. The uniqueness of the Hungarian Parliament is that it is located on the bank of the Danube, in Kossuth Square, and it is a magnificent example of the Neo-Gothic architecture. Do not forget to go inside if you are there because it gives a home to the Hungarian Crown Jewels that can also be admired.

6. Old districts with vibrant nightlife

If besides some sightseeing, you also want to enjoy the nighlife of the two capitals, then it could be good news that countless opportunities are offered for visitors in both places. In Bucharest, the part of the city which is the most notable for its nightlife is called the Old Town where a number of pubs, cafés and terraces are open until the early hours.

In Budapest, the ruin bar (romkocsma) phenomenon has become increasingly popular among locals and tourists alike, so you should not miss the opportunity to see how thrilling Budapest can become at night in these bars.

ruin bar — Ruin Bar /www.facebook.com/Instant/

7. 125 Thermal springs vs the Therme

Hungary is rightly called the country of thermal waters since the country is rich in thermal water sources. Budapest alone has 125 thermal springs, and we have not mentioned yet the baths located outside the capital. The most well-known bath in Budapest is the Gellért Bath, notable for its Art Nouveau style, but the Széchenyi Bath, the largest one of Europe, is also worth mentioning.

By comparison, Bucharest has a large wellness centre, the Therme, dedicated to the well-being of visitors. The construction is similar to a greenhouse given its amazing glasses and the 80,000 plants that surround those looking for some relaxation.

8. Revolution Square vs Heroes’ Square

The Revolution Square of Bucharest is located along the Calea Victoriei. It has a historical significance since it was here in 1989 that Romanians resisted the oppressive Communist regime. In Budapest, a different historical monument can be admired at Heroes’ Square. The iconic statue complex represents the Seven Chieftains of the Magyars and other important national leaders, and it was built in 1896.

9. Sziget Festival vs Summer Well

Are you a fan of summer festivals where you can let your hair down to the greatest hits performed by your favourite bands or singers? Then, you must have heard of the Sziget Festival of Budapest attracting hundreds of thousands of people every year. This event has been organised since 1993 on the Óbuda Island, and this year, it is going to take place between 8 August and 15 August.

The landmark festival of Bucharest is the Summer Well. Unlike the Hungarian one organised on a beautiful island, this event takes place in a magical forest close to the city.

10. The capitals of museums

What the two capitals have in common, besides their closely similar name confusing for foreigners, is the number of interesting museums familiarising visitors with the countries’ culture, history, and social life. In Budapest, must-see places include the Budapest History Museum and the Hungarian National Museum while in Bucharest, the National Museum of Romanian History and the Museum of Collections should not be missed out.

museum budapest — Hungarian National Museum / Daily News Hungary/

11. Zoo in the city centre vs zoo in the suburb

The final thing helping you to distinguish the two cities is the location of their zoos. Budapest can be rightly proud of its own since it is one of the oldest zoos in Europe.

This is located close to the City Park and Heroes’ Square, so once you are there, do not forget to also take a walk in it.

In contrast to the zoo of Budapest, that of Bucharest is not in the centre but is a short trip away from the bustling city. However, it should not discourage you from getting into the car and driving to this place since an unforgettable experience will compensate you for the short journey.

Budapest Zoo entrance — Budapest Zoo /Photo: Daily News Hungary/

Featured image: facebook/Kardos Ildikó Photography

April 12, 2018

This will make you want to visit Budapest right away – VIDEO

From time to time, we like to share videos about our beautiful capital city. It is fascinating to see how other people see Budapest, what they highlight, and how they present the city altogether. This time, we would like to introduce a video recently shared on UNILAD Adventure’s Facebook page.

UNILAD is a British media company and website, which has several portfolios, such as UNILAD Gaming and UNILAD Adventure. In 2016, it was named the top Facebook page and online video channel in the world. Hence, chances are that videos shared on their page reach a lot of people.

This particular video is the creation of Serbian photographer Nikola Krstic. He lives in Italy, but he loves to travel and always records his adventures in the form of photos and videos. He also makes tutorial videos to help aspiring photographers.

The video shared on UNILAD’s page actually has a longer version on the photographer’s YouTube page. According to the description, the creator was most impressed by the architecture and hospitability of locals. Well, he definitely managed to capture the beautiful architectural treasures found in the city.

What makes the video special is the narration, which is a motivational speech that compliments the footage pretty well.

If you would like to see more videos about Budapest, click here!

Featured image: www.youtube.com

April 9, 2018

Lovely Hungarian settlements notable for the Palóc culture

Hollókő népviselet traditional custome dress folk dance néptánc

The Palóc people are a subgroup of Hungarians living in Northern Hungary, who are well-known for their distinct culture that they try to preserve still today, reports Magyarorszagom.hu. The special dialect of Hungarian they speak, their traditions and way of life constitute the Palóc heritage, and several Hungarian settlements provide an opportunity for visitors to gain an insight into their tradition preservation. If you are interested in getting to know more about these places including museums that exhibit items related to this culture, you might like the 5 Palóc sites collected in this article.

When people hear the word Palóc, a number of things can pop into their minds including the traditional techniques of rural architecture, folk art, traditional clothing and the hospitality of the Palóc people. Many people associate these things with the settlement of Hollókő, located in Nógrád county, but there are less-known representatives of this heritage as well.

1. The Old Village of Hollókő

It is the most well-known representative of the Palóc heritage especially with its architecture that attracts thousands of tourists every year. As Whc.unesco.org reports, the buildings compose a rural architectural ensemble with the half-timbered houses of white-washed walls and balconies. This settlement is so significant both from architectural and cultural perspectives that it is declared a world heritage site protected by UNESCO.

Hollókő tradition folk — /www.holloko.hu/hu/galeria/holloko-az-elo-falu/

Today, many of the buildings give a home to museums, exhibitions, restaurants and workshops. Furthermore, those interested might be amazed by the fact that locals still cultivate the land using traditional methods.

It is absolutely worth visiting Hollókő where life can be peaceful and vibrant, too, because of the annually-organised traditional festivals and Easter celebrations .

Hollókő tradition Easter Húsvét locsolás sprinkeling — /www.facebook.com/IloveHolloko/

2. Kazár

Northeast Hungary can be rightly proud of its Palóc settlements among which Kazár is undoubtedly an outstanding one. This town is also located in Nógrád county, 7 km away from Salgótarján, the county seat, and its uniqueness lies in its colourfully-decorated costumes.

The most notable part of the traditional clothing is certainly the bonnet of women which is the most colourful piece as well.

As Palocut.hu writes, well-to-do women possessed several of these bonnets and, depending on the occasion, they could choose the appropriate one to wear.

If you visit this settlement, do not forget to go to the Country House and the Palóc Gallery as well. However, no visit can pass without trying the local specialities at the House of Traditions, so be prepared for a cultural and gastronomical journey.

3. Rimóc

The settlement of Rimóc is not far away from Hollókő, and similarly to its more well-known counterpart, it has a lot to offer, reports Rimoc.hu. Locals are very proud of their heritage that they also try to preserve. Besides the preservation of traditions, Rimóc also tries to introduce novelties and thus combines old and modern.

/rimoc.hu/

The Village Museum gives you an insight into the traditional life of the Palóc by displaying household objects, kitchen utensils and typical pieces of furniture.

Another must-see museum is the Doll Museum where life-size dolls wearing traditional Rimóc costumes are displayed in separate rooms.

Finally, the Palóc Bonnet exhibition is also worth mentioning where the masterpieces of the Palóc embroidery can be seen.

/rimoc.hu/

4. Balassagyarmat

Balassagyarmat, another treasure of Palóc culture, is located on the Hungarian-Slovakian border. It is reputable for its Palóc Museum where permanent exhibitions help the visitor to get to know the Palóc celebrations and traditions. Furthermore, the library of the museum is abundant in books narrating the history of Nógrád county.

/programturizmus.hu/

In its literary history collection, you can find objects and documents related to Imre Madách and Kálmán Mikszáth, while in its historic collection a number of documents are preserved about the settlement of Balassagyarmat.

5. Eger

The historical city of Eger is well-known for its castle and its monuments dating back to the Turkish era, but not many know that the city has an outstanding significance in the preservation of the Palóc culture, too.

According to Eger.varosom.hu, in the local Palóc Museum, visitors can admire pieces of folk art, from carvings and embroidery to the masterpieces of pottery. Furthermore, the colourful and richly-embroidered wedding dresses, the elegant shirts of the groom and other pieces of clothing used in traditional wedding processions are displayed there. Besides these, pieces of furniture, ceramics and household objects can also be admired.

Featured image: facebook.com/IloveHolloko

March 25, 2018