Budapest is one of the most Instagrammed UNESCO sites!
Thousands, if not millions of travellers are visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites around the world every single day. That’s because these are notable for being iconic sites of cultural, historical, religious, and natural interest. It’s the crème de la crème of where to go if you’re an avid traveller.
Press release – UNESCO stands for United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, and it was born out of the horrors of WWII, with the aim to spread peace, and as a precaution to protect areas form future conflict – especially given how many incredible sites were lost during those wars.
In 1978, the first 12 sites were announced: the Galapagos Islands, L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Park, Nahanni National Park, City of Quito, Simien National Park, Rock-Hewn Churches of Ethiopia, Aachen Cathedral, Krakow’s historic centre,
Wieliczka and Bochnia Salt Mines, Island of Goree, Mesa Verde National Park, and Yellowstone National Park. Today, there are more than 1,100 UNESCO sites dotted all over the world, with new ones being added every year.
Given that a large portion of these amazing sites can be found in Latin America – such as the Galapagos Islands, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, the city of Quito in Ecuador, and Cartagena de Indias in Colombia, we thought we would have a look and see which sites around the world are the most popular – according to Instagram. We turned to the widely used photo sharing platform to analyse the number of times every single UNESCO site has been geotagged by users, sharing a photo in that location.
| 1 | Rio de Janeiro | Brazil | 23,463,071 |
| 2 | Budapest | Hungary | 8,921,744 |
| 3 | Historic Centre of Oporto | Portugal | 4,474,277 |
| 4 | Brasilia | Brazil | 4,469,003 |
| 5 | Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto | Japan | 4,348,400 |
| 6 | City of Quito | Ecuador | 3,857,762 |
| 7 | City of Verona | Italy | 3,375,458 |
| 8 | Historic Site of Lyon | France | 3,355,163 |
| 9 | Cathedrald Notre-Dame de Paris | France | 2,758,980 |
| 10 | Cartagena De Indias | Colombia | 2,514,005 |
| 11 | Yosemite National Park | USA | 2,301,847 |
| 12 | Grand Canyon National Park | USA | 2,127,400 |
| 13 | Sydney Opera House | Australia | 1,698,423 |
| 14 | Cultural Landscape of Sintra | Portugal | 1,367,607 |
| 15 | Vatican City | Vatican City | 1,253,667 |
| 16 | City of Cuzco | Peru | 1,172,510 |
| 17 | City of Bath | UK | 1,141,373 |
| 18 | Acropolis, Athens | Greece | 1,131,126 |
| 19 | Statue of Liberty | USA | 1,002,963 |
| 20 | Antigua Guatemala | Guatemala | 961,646 |
| 21 | Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu | Peru | 893,711 |
| 22 | Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church | UK | 883,120 |
| 23 | Yellowstone National Park | USA | 872,901 |
| 24 | City of Valletta | Malta | 848,486 |
| 25 |
Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City: a Shared Heritage |
Morocco | 833,172 |
Check out the whole list here:
The 100 Most Instagrammed UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Incredibly sexy plus-size Hungarian girl taking over Instagram! — PHOTOS
UNESCO: Budapest’s MOL Tower and Liget Project are distressing
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation released a report on 21 June 2019 about world heritage locations, upcoming projects, and their concerns and opinions regarding these future plans. The report includes the Hungarian capital as well, emphasising the situation about the futuristic MOL Tower and Liget Project in the City Park.
The report includes the efforts and plans about protecting Budapest’s world heritage sights: the coast of the Danube, City Park, Andrássy Avenue, and the Castle District of Buda – reports HVG. Although some steps forward happened, UNESCO believes that there is a severe lack of important procedures. For example, there is no one representative of the projects undertaken on these world heritage sights, and there is no complex plan about improving the Hungarian capital.
According to the report, the Hauszmann-plan – in the Castle District – includes renovations and building new objects which are dangerous and have high risks.
“It is recommended that the Committee express its concern regarding the lack of an appropriate approach for the ongoing and proposed works being undertaken as part of the Hauszmann Plan for the Buda Castle Quarter which involves substantial reconstruction and new construction of the Royal Palace and adjoining civic district and represents a specific and imminent threat. The general policy to reconstruct buildings or parts that have been destroyed during World War II or in the Communist period in order to recover an idealised older history is leading to an important and cumulative loss of authenticity of the property” (WHC Add 3, p. 6).
The report focuses on the plans of the Museum of Ethnography planned to be built in City Park. They believe that the project should be halted as soon as possible, but the project, to UNESCO’s disappointment, had not been stopped. The same concerns and points were written down about the Biodome as well.
Furthermore, the Committee believes that the plans of the MOL Tower (District 11) would also have a negative impact on Budapest’s view.
“New stricter regulations were introduced in July 2018 that require buildings higher than 65 metres to receive the planning council’s approval on the ‘architectural and technical plan documentation’. However, it is clearly stated that the permission for the MOL building cannot be reversed. A detailed study of the impact of high-rise buildings on OUV of the property is planned for District 11” (WHC Add 3, p. 6).
The report expresses the concerns about other ongoing projects in the capital, such as “reconstruction works ongoing in the property and buffer zone for which the World Heritage Centre had no previous information, including a demolition at 52 Paulay Ede Street and a renovation of the Opera house” (WHC Add 3, p. 6).
The Committee required the Hungarian state to stop the projects which would have a negative impact on world heritage sights and to work on a complex plan about how to preserve the city’s view if these buildings and objects are born in the future.
The UNESCO Committee also required a full report until February 1, 2020, from Hungary to sum up the possible solutions for their concerns.
CLICK HERE for the full report
Featured image: www.facebook.com/miligetunk
Sziget festival’s island in Budapest taken off World Heritage recommended list
Not long before the UNESCO voted about World Heritage, the government took Hajógyári Island off the list of recommended places to earn World Heritage status, revealed Magyar Közlöny on Friday.
The decree signed by Viktor Orbán does not account for why out of the borders of the Roman Empire’s — the part on the Danubian Limes in Hungary — sites recommended for UNESCO protection the onetime lower-Pannonia province’s centre’s — Aquincums’ — most important location, the Hajógyári Island (in Óbuda) is getting taken off the list, reports Népszava.
The 32 hectare island is under archaeological protection. The most valuable relic of the island is a still 1.5-2 meters deep in the ground; an enormous 8,000-10,000 square metres palace, which — according to some opinions — was built at the beginning of the 2nd century, at the time of Emperor Hadrianus’s reign.
In 2014 the government was for revealing the palace — which they had gotten back from Israeli investors wanting to build a casino there — and create a national park.
In 2016 the Orbán-government decided that the Island in Óbuda should also be a part of the World Heritage. In 2018 they applied accordingly. The case got a separate Ministerial Commissioner, Zsolt Visy.
The application submitted on January 31, includes 98 sites in 15 kilometres, 65 of which can be found in Hungary. UNESCO will decide about the joint application in June.
Magyar Nemzet has since reported that the island was taken off the list because getting the World Heritage status would make is impossible to reconstruct the relics of Hadrianus’s palace.
See Hungarian World Heritage sites HERE.
Featured image: https://www.facebook.com/SzigetFestival/
Baroque frescoes fell victim to the renovation in Orbán’s new office?
News portal index reported earlier in the day that rare late Baroque frescoes in the refectory of the one-time Carmelite monastery “fell victim” to the renovation that had cost billions of forints.
Viktor Orbán moved to the new premises this month. The historical Karmelita Monastery at Buda Castle get a new function in the future. It is going to be Viktor Orbán’s brand new workplace where he will continue to lead the country from January, along with his personal staff as well. Check out Orbán’s new office PHOTO GALLERY HERE!
The Prime Minister’s Office told the portal that during renovation the frescoes had been first cleansed and conserved to later receive a protective cover to ensure their preservation for future.
Covering them with white was part of giving the offices a standard look, it added.
The opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) on Monday called
it “outrageous” that over-200-year-old murals had been painted over during the refurbishment of the prime minister’s new office bloc in the Buda Castle.
Speaking at a press conference, DK lawmaker Zsolt Gréczy criticised the move of covering the frescoes with white paint with a view to giving the prime minister’s office “a puritan look”.
He called it “a barbaric act with which a part of Hungary’s cultural heritage has been destroyed”, adding that DK has initiated convening parliament’s cultural affairs committee and would appeal to the UNESCO over the matter.
OPPOSITION: NEW PM’S OFFICE ‘OVERPRICED PRESTIGE INVESTMENT’
The new premises of the Prime Minister’s Office in the Buda castle district are an overpriced prestige investment and a display of lavish extravagance, the opposition said, read more HERE.
Photo: Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister
Hungary thanks former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for release of UN documents on 1956
Katalin Bogyay, Hungary’s permanent representative to the United Nations, yesterday, hosted a banquet lunch in honour of former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York to thank him for releasing the UN’s documents on Hungary’s 1956 anti-Soviet revolution.
As an expression of Hungary’s gratitude, Bogyay presented Ban with the symbol of the 1956 Memorial Year, the “Cry for Freedom” statue designed by Israeli sculptor and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Hedva Ser.
Ban has a personal memory linked to the 1956 Hungarian revolution. As the member of a student council, he and other students submitted a petition to the UN Secretary-General at the time, Dag Hammarskjold, urging that Hungary not be left alone.
In 2016, the United Nations approved the release of its classified documents on the revolution for research purposes.
Photo: Fortepan.hu/PESTI SRÁC2
THE SUEZ CRISIS AND THE HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION OF 1956 – PHOTOS, VIDEOS
Both happened in October and November of the same year. In the former, the influence of Great-Britain and France on global issues weakened significantly while Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser strengthened his positions. In the latter, the Soviet Red Army restored the communist rule in Hungary by killing thousands of young Hungarian freedom fighters and making hundreds of thousands flee their homeland. But what is the link between them? Read more HERE.
Hungarian foreign minister meets Jewish leaders in US
Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó met representatives of Jewish organisations in New York on Wednesday evening and assured his negotiating partners of Hungary’s support in their fight against anti-Semitism.
Addressing a UNESCO conference after his talks, Szijjártó noted the Hungarian government’s commitment to continue its “zero tolerance” policy concerning anti-Semitism in the future.
Concerning the European Union, Szijjártó said that
the community cannot be strong unless it “insists on its Judeo-Christian heritage”
and added that his government “disapproves of movements aimed at leaving nation states and Christianity behind”.
Szijjártó voiced concern about recent developments “indicating a rise of anti-Semitism in certain parts of western Europe” and said it was a consequence of “massive and uncontrolled migration”. He insisted that “parallel societies” have developed in many parts of western Europe, which pose not only a security challenge but may give rise to religious extremism, too.
On another subject Szijjártó said that
Hungary considers Israel a strategic partner and supports “an honest and balanced approach” in international organisations concerning that country.
He added that Hungary has “never supported dishonest or politically motivated” decisions against Israel.
Szijjártó also noted that
the Hungarian government has recently proposed a joint statement against anti-Semitism in the UN Human Rights Council, an initiative which was supported by 25 countries.
The foreign minister met with representatives of the Anti-Defamation League, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organisations, National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry, B’nai B’irth organisation, World Jewish Congress, American Jewish Committee, and the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
Hortobágy – The Essence of Hungary
As the Hortobágy National Park was founded 45 years ago, it is the oldest one in the country. Therefore, it is the very first national park in Hungary. It is part of the Great Hungarian Plain and is undoubtedly one of the most iconic landscapes in the area. Vjm.hu collected some interesting pieces of information about this amazing place including useful travel tips.
Where to start
It is recommended to start our journey at the Hortobágy National Park at the visitors’ centre in Hortobágy village. Here, one can get information and guidance for their trip. From the entrance, one can admire the legendary nine-hole Bridge, which is the longest road-bridge in Hungary. According to the legend, it was built of 400,000 bricks that were stuck together with mortar containing milk. There are also amazing restaurants in this area where you can taste the famous Hortobágy-style pancake. The Hortobágyi Csárda is one of the most famous restaurants from where you can get lost of the nine-hole Bridge’s beauty while eating a traditional Hungarian meal. Click here to get a delicious recipe from the Hortobágy and make this amazing pancake at home.
Crafts and museums
Next to the visitors’ centre, there is a Craft Garden where visitors have the opportunity to try out traditional Hungarian craft professions with the help of experts. In the end, everyone can bring their own crafts home, and they can also buy souvenirs at the store.
The Pastoral Museum introduces the life at the plain and the profession of animal keeping. It takes place in a building that was built in the 18th century, which functioned as accommodation at the beginning. The highlight of the exhibition is the life-size figures dressed up in traditional Hungarian clothes.
Photo: Wiki Commons By Darjac (personal collection)
Animals
Another great location is the Bird Shelter and Hospital with the great “Röpde” (a place where birds can flutter safely before caregivers let them go to nature on their own). Here, visitors can not only see the indigenous birds of the Hortobágy but can also take a look at their healing process.
Another fun way to get to know the animals is the Hortobágy Safari Park. There is an exhibition at the park about those animal species that lived in the area before humans settled down there such as wolves, jackals, and vultures. Also, there is a safari tour by gips to see the wild horses. Moreover, an extra option is to see a show with these amazing animals and the betyárs.
Additional information
Hortobágy is a member of the UNESCO World Heritage list and is also part of the six biosphere reserves in Hungary. Those are the following: Aggtelek, Hortobágy, Kiskunság, Lake Fertő, Pilis Mountains and the Mura-Drava-Danube triangle. Hortobágy is best-known for its herds, mirages, and the nine-hole Bridge. This landscape was adored by Sándor Petőfi who was one of the most beloved Hungarian poets of the 19th century. He wrote many poems about the “Alföld”, the Great Hungarian Plain. If you have a chance to visit the Hortobágy, do not miss out on the whip-popped Hungarian horseman. If you want to find out more about them, we recommend you this article: Hungarian betyárs and their modern counterparts. Additionally, we have also reported about a video CNN shot about the Hungarian “cowboys”.
Featured image: www.gotohungary.com
Invaluable treasures: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Hungary
Do you get more excited about visiting a place when you find out that it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage? Well, we definitely do, because the certification proves that the given site is of immense value. Listed below you find our 8 Hungarian World Heritage Sites and also the reasons why they are special 🙂
According to vilagorokseg.hu, Hungary joined the World Heritage Convention in 1985 and included the conditions in the Hungarian rule of law in the form of a statutory rule. Two years later, the World Heritage Committee decided on the first Hungarian sites to be added to the collection.
Since the summer of 2002, Hungary is the proud owner of 8 World Heritage sites. Out of them, seven belong to the ‘cultural’ category while one is listed in the ‘natural’ category. We share two of the sites (Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst, Fertő/ Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape) with our neighbours, Slovakia and Austria.
Budapest: Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue
Budapest, divided by the Danube into a steep and a flat side, and united by the delicate bridges, offers a unique panorama. The urban landscape on both sides of the river are rich in architectural wonders that represent the most important periods of history.
Budapest, united from three city parts in 1872-73, developed into a metropolis in fifty years, while guarding the structural characteristics of Buda and Pest. The pairing of the medieval-baroque Buda and the art nouveau Pest is simply enchanting.
Why is it a World Heritage Site?
When designing and constructing the Andrássy Avenue and its surroundings, the most modern techniques were used. Moreover, the Hungarian capital receiving and passing on cultural impacts is a typical example of the Central European city development that joined periods of destruction and renewal.
Since when?
1987 (expanded in 2002)
Old Village of Hollókő and its Surroundings
The consciously preserved Old Village of Hollókő, where traditions are still alive, is a Palóc settlement found in Nógrád County, North Hungary. The village evokes the beginning of the 20th century with a traditional architectural structure made up of 55 residential buildings and one church.
The historic settlement structure, the traditional Palóc architectural style and the use of material forms a harmonic unity with the natural environment. The 145 hectare World Heritage Site also includes the medieval castle ruins, the grazing-lands at the border and the close-by hills, forests and meadows.
Why is it a World Heritage Site?
It represents a culture that has become vulnerable due to the irreversible changes in the world. It is the example of traditional rural life, which is vanishing nowadays due to economic and social changes.
Since when?
1987
Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst
The caves and formations of the Aggtelek and Slovak Karst are of outstanding significance due to the exemplary richness of shapes, their complexity, relative intactness and the fact that they are concentrated in limited space. The system, which lies at the north-eastern border or Hungary and the south-eastern border of Slovakia, consists of more than 1,000 caves.
It is one of the most astonishing and complex examples of the mid-mountain karst formation in the moderate climate zone, while it is also rich in biological, geological and paleontological values.
Why is it a World Heritage Site?
The geological and geomorphological formations give evidence of thousands of millions of years of history. There are also traces signalling ice age climatic conditions, which is “well-documented” on a world scale.
Since when?
1995
Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma and its Natural Environment
According to vilagorokseg.hu, the building complex of the abbey towers above the West Hungarian Pannon landscape on a hill, which was once called the “Sacred Mountain of Pannonia” (Mons Sacer Pannoniae). The Benedictine Order’s monastery was founded in 996. Hence it is the same age as Hungarian statehood.
The abbey is home to rich artistic and scientific collections. Its library is of outstanding value – among others, this is where the document containing the oldest Hungarian written words is kept. The most significant contemporary activity of the order is probably the education of the youth.
Why is it a World Heritage Site?
The monks have maintained their institutions for a thousand years. The location of the monastery essentially represents the harmony of the natural and built environment.
Since when?
1990
Hortobágy National Park – the Puszta
The Hortobágy National Park is the excellent example of the interaction between man and nature, which is embodied in animal keeping adjusted to natural conditions (licks, steppe, meadows, watery lands etc.).
The draw-wells, 18th and 19th-century taverns and bridges contribute to the unique face of the cultural landscape. The majority of the Puszta is unpopulated up to this day, but several animal keepers herd their flocks, mobs there from April until October.
Why is it a World Heritage Site?
It has been guarding the sound and visible evidence of the traditional grazing land use for more than two thousand years. Moreover, it is the perfect example of the harmonic relationship between humans and nature.
Since when?
1999
Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs
The ancient Romans founded Sopianae in the place of today’s Pécs at the beginning of the 2nd century. By the 4th century, it had become a flourishing province seat and one of the significant centres of Christianity. The late-Roman Christian cemetery (necropolis) is one of the most important provincial cemeteries.
The excavated remains versatilely demonstrate the architectural and artistic style of the former Roman provinces and the roots of a culture still alive.
Why is it a World Heritage Site?
The remains prove the belief and power of the Christian communities of the late Roman Empire. It also illustrates the early-Christian burial habits of the northern and western provinces and the roots of a culture that is still alive.
Since when?
2000
Fertő/ Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape
Mysterious saltwater lake, swamp, moorland, canes and a diverse, romantic land – this is what most people visualise when hearing the word ‘Fertő’. The region, which was divided by the borders drawn in 1920 but is still united geologically and historically, is characterised by peculiar natural givens and a unique paysage.
Lake Fertő is Europe’s biggest saltwater lake, which is also the westernmost representative of Eurasian steppe lakes. It was declared a biosphere reserve in 1979 by the UNESCO. One of the most visited sights in the neighbourhood is the Eszterházy Castle.
Why is it a World Heritage Site?
It preserves the centuries-old tradition of viniculture, wine-production and stock-farming, along with the architectural curiosities of the region. The flat lakeland lying at the feet of the Alps is the home of unique flora and fauna thanks to the continental, Mediterranean and Atlantic climatic effects.
Since when?
2001
Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape
The combination of the special climatic, environmental givens of the Tokaj-hegyalja and human activity created a special wine culture. The historic cultural landscape lies at the feet of the Zemplén Mountains, along River Bodrog.
The 88 thousand hectares big World Heritage site includes 27 settlements. The region is also special from a geologic and geographic point of view. The rocks shaped by volcanic and post-volcanic activity resulted in the formation of different soil types adequate for viniculture.
Why is it a World Heritage Site?
It embodies unique, centuries-old vinicultural traditions, which maintained an existence in an unchanged form. Furthermore, the region kept its unity (vinelands, settlements and cellars) throughout time.
Since when?
2002
Featured image: www.facebook.com/KardosIldikóPhotography
House Speaker: Mohács Busó Festival one of Europe’s biggest traditionalist events
The end-of-winter Busó festival in Mohács, in southern Hungary, is one of Europe’s biggest and most well-known traditionalist events, Parliamentary Speaker Laszló Kövér said in the festival’s main event in Mohács on Sunday.
In his address, Kövér noted that the 250-year-old tradition has been on UNESCO’s list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2009.
“Our ancestors on this planet did not want to be prisoners of the strangeness, evil and darkness threatening their homes, so they dressed up as Busós in frightening costumes and banished everything that was a threat to them,” the house speaker said.
[box type=”info”] It is believed that the tradition of the sokác people of Mohács was first mentioned in 1783. The story recalls how their witty ancestors escaped to the Island of Mohács from the Turkish occupation. They put on costumes and returned on the river to surprise the superstitious Turks, who were appalled at the sight of the scary masquerade and fled from the city. [/box]
Köver called on “today’s Busós” to “banish everything bad that threatens Hungary, Europe and the well-intentioned people of the world”.
Featured image: MTI
Budapest Castle Hill Funicular part of World Heritage
100 meters long, 50 meters high with 30 degrees of tilt. Budapest Castle Hill Funicular operates since 1870. The funicular was severely damaged in the bombings of 1944. It was restored in 1986. It became part of the World Heritage one year later, as Pestbuda.hu reports.
Count István Széchenyi’s younger son, Ödön came up with the idea in 1866. It was inspired by the funicular connecting Croix-Rousse and Lyon.
The construction process began in 1868 and it took 16 months. The first plans were designed by Ödön Juraszek, but it was Henrik Wolfahrt’s blueprint according to which the world’s second funicular was built.
After the successful test runs, the first steam railway in Budapest was put into service in 1870. The bottom station was built at Chain Bridge’s bridgehead in Buda and the top one was built on Szent György Square. They are connected with a 100 meters long railway with two tracks.
The railway is tilted by 30 degrees. The bottom level is one story above the street.
The vehicle was supported by the 35 PS steam machinery at the lower station, but it was just helping the two rakes pulling each other. The machinery was built by Tórod Schulz’s factory in Vienna, while the furnace was from EMAG (the First Hungarian Machine Factory). The structures were towed with steel wires. Iron claws were attached to each end of the rakes in order to stop them on the slopes in the case of an accident. The two rakes were moving oppositely with a speed of 8 km/h. They were divided into three classes, and the total capacity was 24 people. A ticket for the first class costed 6 kreuzers, while the second class costed 4.
Only one accident occurred throughout the 75 years of the funicular’s operation: In 1896, a group of foreign journalists were travelling downwards from the castle. Another rake departed, but more than 24 people embarked. The machinist trusted the fireman with handling the vehicle, and — due the lack of his experience — he could not stop the vehicle in time, which collided with the headboard. The passengers suffered minor injuries, one of them broke both of his legs. A regulation was declared in 1897 to hinder any further accidents.
The funicular’s popularity was unbroken in the first half of the 20th century: 434,000 passengers travelled with it in 1932, and this number exceeded 2 million by 1944. After the vehicle was purchased by BSZKRT (the public transport company of Budapest), the tracks, buildings and rakes were renewed. They planned to replace steam with electricity, but this only came true in 1986. The funicular was hit by a bombing in 1945.
The Funicular Committee was formed in 1960. Several plans were made for the restoration of the funicular. Still, the process has not begun for years.
The restored funicular was revealed on 3 June 1986.
It is run by a 54 kilowatt electric engine placed under the top station’s building. The rakes could reach the speed of 3 m/s, but it was later halved due to the request of the passengers in 1988.
The Budapest Castle Hill Funicular, which transports 1,5 million passengers a year, has become a part of UNESCO World Heritage in 1987.
Ce: bm
Must-See Hungary: Budapest – Danube Bank and Andrássy Road
The World Heritage Movement is the most successful product of UNESCO or even of the whole of the United Nations. Today, millions, even tens of millions of tourists, choose their destinations according to whether a particular city or a natural sight is on the list of World Heritage Sites or has at least has been nominated for it. Hungary is not doing badly in that respect as it has a respectable number of sites in comparison to its territory and population. Visiting such sights is almost obligatory for tourists in Hungary and even Hungarians have plenty to learn about them, Tropical Magazine said.
Budapest – Danube Bank and Andrássy Road
Budapest has become one of Europe’s most popular destinations. In addition to the city’s vibrant nightlife and bathing culture, the architectural ensemble that earned the World Heritage title also plays a major role.
The Castle District, surrounded by its historic castle walls and skirting, is part of the former Royal Palace and the historic civil part of the castle. The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, better known as the ‘Matthias Church’, the coronation church of many Hungarian kings, was transformed in neo-Gothic style according to the plans of Frigyes Schulek, at the end of the 19th century, stands in the centre of the Castle District.
The Fishermen’s Bastion was built, according to his plans, in neo-Romanesque style, on the site of the earlier Buda Castle Walls between 1895 and 1902.
Budavár (former royal) Palace is one of the most important cultural centres in the country and home to the Budapest History Museum, including the medieval fortresses, the National Széchényi Library and the Hungarian National Gallery.
Andrássy Road and its surroundings (the historical districts and public buildings within Kiskörút and inner Erzsébetváros) are among the most prominent and complex works of urban development realized in the second half of the 19th century.
The urban architecture implemented urbanistic principles at a high professional and architectural-artistic level, using state-of-the-art technical solutions. The nearly 2.5 km long avenue, under construction from 1872 and inaugurated in 1885, is the eclectic architectural peak of the era that transformed Budapest into a global city and a gallery of the architectural styles of the time,
one of the jewels of which is the Opera House designed by Miklós Ybl.
These places should be visited with a competent guide who lives in Budapest, to learn about the many hidden secrets. You may admire the sculptures on the rooftops that you would never have notice when rushing beneath them, or listen to the secret story of the city or of earlier crimes and get to know the red-light houses and the secrets hidden by their walls.
As we wrote before, Lonely Planet writes that Budapest is very similar to Paris in the diverse image of the districts. Luckily, there are no harsh contrasts between the districts, as there is a slow transition from one into the other. The blog collected some of the most characteristic and unique districts of Budapest, such as the Castle Hill or those laying on the Danube bank.
Hungary wants EU to reimburse half of border control costs
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has asked the European Commission to reimburse Hungary for half its spending on border protection, the government office chief said on Thursday.
János Lázár said at a regular press briefing that the total cost since the start of the migrant crisis amounted to 800 million euros.
Lázár said the issue of border protection should be discussed “in the name of European solidarity” and “solidarity must be demonstrated in practice”, so the EU should bear a part of Hungary’s costs.
By building a border fence and training “border-hunter” units, Hungary has been protecting the whole Schengen area, not only Hungarian citizens, Lázár said. Hungarian police and soldiers are instrumental in ensuring the safety of all European citizens, he added.
Lázár noted that several countries have already received help from the European Commission. Greece has already received half of the 1 billion euros promised, he said, while Italy is to receive 656 million, and Bulgaria 100 million euros. It is time Hungary also made a request, Lázár said.
Plans to build migrant camps in Libya accord with the Hungarian government’s stance aimed at halting illegal migration outside the European Union, Lázár said.
Lázár noted that for the past two years the government had proposed creating hotspots outside the bloc. Migrants staying at the facilities would be made to follow necessary procedures, he said, adding that the government supported endeavours to return migrants to their homelands and eliminate the causes of migration.
The government has prolonged the state of emergency introduced in connection with the migration crisis until March 7, Lázár said. The state of emergency would have ended on Sept. 7, he noted.
In the first eight months of the year, 773 migrants entered Hungary illegally, Lázár said. Without Hungary’s fence along its southern borders “the numbers would be comparable to two years ago,” he added.
On the subject of EU action taken against Poland, Lázár said that the European Commission and Germany had “launched a campaign” against Poland and were applying “double standards”. Hungary supports the Polish people and their government, he said.
Regarding the lawsuit Hungary and Slovakia has brought against the European Commission on the resettlement quota scheme of asylum seekers, Lázár noted the European Court of Justice is to reach a decision next week. “If the Hungarian government does not come to an agreement with the European Commission or has its doubts”, they will not hesitate to return to court, he said. The procedure so far only aimed to establish whether the quota scheme was in accordance with European legislation, he said.
Government office chief addresses range of topics in weekly presser
In a weekly government press briefing on Thursday, Lázár informed the press: they are contributing to the developments of the municipalities of 152 small localities, inter alia, for the refurbishment of roads, pavements, kindergartens and playgrounds. They will also extend the deadline for the completion of the manuals regarding the townscapes of localities: municipalities will have until 31 December instead of 31 October.
He listed among the Government’s decisions that they will facilitate the importation of textbooks for the National Serb Self-Government, a new watering system will be installed on an area of 27 thousand hectares in the Mezőhegyes Stud Farm, and four medical universities will be given excess grants.
The Cabinet further decided that the Seuso treasures will be displayed at exhibitions to be held in Kaposvár, Kecskemét, Miskolc, Nyíregyháza, Székesfehérvár and Zalaegerszeg, and HUF 300 million will be allocated for the organisation of the exhibitions.
Mr Lázár offered his condolences at the press conference Governmentinfo to the relatives of the Kossuth Prize winning film director Károly Makk who passed away on Wednesday. His death is an enormous loss to Hungarian culture, he said.
In answer to the enquiry that, according to press reports, certain senior managerial jobs in state administration could only be awarded to persons with political science degrees obtained from the Public Service University as of 2023, the Minister said: there is no final decision yet, but according to the Government a system should be created where, in the case of certain jobs, a university degree in political science should be a condition of hiring, while in other cases, it would be an advantage.
Mr Lázár was asked about the fact that a former government office manager said: in his view, government offices in the countryside have been filled with people associated with Fidesz. „That is nonsense”, Mr Lázár commented on the claim, refuting that anything like this could have emerged in the context of 35 thousand people.
Those who work in the district or government offices today must work extremely work, he highlighted. He said: „I have sent 3,500 people away from this system, and have terminated 2,000 managerial positions. There is no place, air or money for anyone here to hang around and loaf about, or to find their advancement by sucking up to others.”
In the context of another question concerning the reduction of bureaucracy, he agreed that Hungary will need a smaller state sector and fewer workers employed from public funds in the next few years.
He was also asked about the diplomatic negotiations regarding the CEU. He said: they are making slow progress, there is no result as yet.
In answer to a question concerning the words of András Veres, President of the Hungarian Catholic Bishops’ Conference condemning the artificial insemination programme, he said: the bishop represented the position of the church, and he has no right or possibility to comment on the conviction of the church. „We are, however, employees of the State, and the goal of the Hungarian Government is to achieve that as many babies are born as possible”, he stated, highlighting: the artificial insemination programme has brought the blessing of a baby for many infertile families.
The Minister said in response to a question about the words of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Tusnádfürdő regarding the struggle with certain media outlets: while he does not normally struggle with the media, he understands what the Prime Minister meant. The media outlets for which György Soros provides financial assistance do have the capacity to shape opinions, he said, and added in answer to a further question: the conservative political family needs allies in the media, and „the businesspeople who invested in this (…) also did so in order to help, and this is only right”.
In answer to another journalist’s question, he said: they are ready to recommend to UNESCO that the cemetery at Fiumei út and the attached Salgótarján út Jewish cemetery should be declared a part of world heritage.
Lázár was further asked about the fact that, according to press reports, waste containing asbestos was left on the demolition site of the entertainment complex Petőfi Csarnok. He said in reply: he instructed the metropolitan government office to investigate these reports.
The government is allocating 5 billion forints (EUR 16.3m) for renewing the ambulance fleet and plans to buy 100 ambulances each year, Lázár said.
He also said that like other EU member states, Hungary will allow new types of drug testing in the country.
In connection with the start of the school year, Lázár said schooling costs for families had significantly dropped this year. Free text books will be provided to more than one million pupils from grade one to nine, he said, adding that more than half of students would get free school meals. Lázár also noted that the wages of teachers would be increased by 3.5 percent on average in September.
Asked to comment on recent remarks by Andras Veres, the president of the Hungarian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, strongly condemning in vitro fertilisation — calling the scheme “poison” and participation in it “a sin” — Lázár said that the bishop stated the position of the church on behalf of which “I do not have the right to speak”. “We, however, are employees of the Hungarian state, the aim of which is to make sure that more and more children are born in the country,” Lázár said. He noted that the IVF programme supported by the government had already helped many infertile couples to have a child.
Photo: kormany.hu
Hungary: Why can it be an awesome honeymoon destination?
Honeymoon is the phase where couples like to stay together and enjoy their romantic aloofness. It is the time when one wants to relax and make their dreams come true. Usually, couples like to visit places they see in movies and want to make their honeymoon just like a celebrity, but still, some people want to enjoy being alone and away from the crowd. If you are planning to visit Europe, then Hungary is one place that you cannot afford to miss. Though a small country located in Central Europe, it is an ideal destination for couples tired of shopping malls, night clubs and over rated destination spots. It is a country where you can find traditional and historical views with relaxed vibes that will make you spend most of the time with each other and don’t worry about expenses or budget. You can also check out By Discount Codes for fantastic deals and packages.
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Here are the list places one can explore in Budapest, Hungary and make merry at Honeymoon:
Buda Castle: The Buda Castle has been claimed as the World Heritage by UNESCO and once was the residence of royals of the country. It houses Szechenyi National Library, Museum and National Gallery that makes it an ideal place for historians, seekers and students to learn and explore new things. It also holds many festivals like Wine festivals, beer festivals, chocolate festivals, Easter Festivals, etc. that will make your trip memorable. Ask your travel operator for budgeted packages or check out Holidays Abroad category for packages.
Parliament of Hungary: One of the historical place in Hungary, it holds symbols from the history that will make you awestruck. Interiors of the Parliament of Hungary are worth exploring built from the neo-Gothic style. It is the oldest building in Budapest and major tourist destination for people with architect background or historians.
Vajdahunyad Castle: Budapest is known as designer’s paradise as it is home to many castles and buildings that have inspiring interiors. The interiors of the castles are from the 18th century which includes amazing carvings on the pillar, mesmerising crystal chandelier, and paintings that make one fall in love. Vajdahunyad Castle is considered one of the most romantic castles in Budapest, and if you are visiting the city in winters, then you get to enjoy the frozen lake and have some doing ice skating.
Széchenyi Bath: Are tired exploring the historically rich country and need some time to rejuvenate? Széchenyi Bath is one of the largest medicinal and thermal baths in Europe. People from all across the Europe come here to relax and rejuvenate was established in 1934, since then Budapest is also known as City of Spas. It is also one of the reasons couples love to visit Budapest.
Hungary is a country which holds on to traditional values and cultural heritage. If you look forward to a honeymoon that is in your budget and has a lot to offer except for night clubs or shopping malls, then this is the country worth visiting. Also, it gives much-needed privacy that every couple needs at their honeymoon.
Featured image: MTI
The Tokaj wine region: 15 years of being part of the UNESCO World Heritage
2017 marks the 15th anniversary of UNESCO awarding the Tokaj wine region with a World Heritage membership, in the category of cultural regions – reports origo.hu.
A tradition of one thousand years
The historic wine region of Tokaj-Hegyalja is unique in the world for its one-thousand-years of viticultural and wine tradition, which has not been subject to any change. The region has preserved its integrity throughout the centuries, along with the diversity of the rocks and soils, its special geographic position, the beneficial microclimate, and the uniqueness of the vineyards and the cellars of the cities and villages nearby. All of these contributed together to the worldwide popularity of the Tokaj wine, the Tokaji Aszú, and the Tokaj Furmint. The Furmint is actually very popular in the UK, where it is regarded as one of the best wines sold by Lidl. As we have written before, the Furmint was introduced to the UK in 2000 as a gift to the Majesty’s Chancellor and was regarded as a ‘useful gift’.
The most important goal of the UNESCO is to take global responsibility for the protection of the cultural and natural values in the world, and also to join hands with the nations to preserve and flourish the global values representing outstanding significance.
[button link=”https://dailynewshungary.com/tokaj-wines-win-bordeaux/” color=”silver” newwindow=”yes”] The Tokaj wines won several medals at the Challenge International du Vin wine competition in Bordeaux, this year[/button]
The Tokaj wine region is the artwork of man and nature
The fact that the wine region is among the UNESCO World Heritage sites, is telling of how well humanity and nature have worked together in this region. For this, there are many pieces of evidence, such as the imprint of the proto vine leaf from the Miocene period, the Botrytis cinerea, the sessile oak, the everyday life of the wine region, nature, the special fauna, the colourful streets, the unique world of tastes and the world-class wines.
The Bureau of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county, the Tokaj Wine Region Development Council and the Municipality of Hercegkút are organising a celebratory crafts’ day on the occasion of the 15th anniversary on August 25, 2017, at 2 pm at the Gomboshegy cellars at Hercegkút.
Budapest among the top 10 UNESCO Creative Cities
If you’re looking for a creative holiday but cannot decide which city to visit, then the UNESCO Creative Cities selection might be just for you. This year, Howdesign.com has selected Budapest among the ten UNESCO cities for a summer adventure.
UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network focuses on seven creative fields, like Crafts & Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Music and Media Arts, launched in 2004, counting today 116 representative countries.
“Design is a creative and aesthetic solution, an agent of change and innovation, and a means of identifying new challenges and opportunities. It encompasses a wide range of creative fields that develop new products and services including those that improve social organisation and transformation. UNESCO Creative Cities can not only support people who are innovative, but can also incorporate design into their own thinking and thus into urban development as a powerful catalyst for better cities that are also more sustainable.” – Jyoti Hosagrahar, Director of the Division for Creativity at UNESCO.
The following list includes those UNESCO cities that are important in the field of design. There are altogether 19 cities, and what is common among them is that creative design plays an important role when it comes to city projects, industries, or culture. Helsinki, Shanghai and Singapore are the leading giants, but there are other cities that deserve attention too because of the dedicated artists and professionals working and living there.
[button link=”https://dailynewshungary.com/british-express-highlights-must-visit-sights-budapest/” type=”big” color=”orange” newwindow=”yes”] Here’s what the British Daily Express thinks that you should definitely check out if you’re in Budapest[/button]
10 UNESCO Creative Cities to Explore This Summer
Kobe, Japan
Bilbao, Spain
Seoul
Bandung, West Java Province, Indonesia
Graz, Austria
Torino, Italy
Dundee, Scotland
Nagoya, Japan
Budapest, Hungary
Puebla, Mexico
[button link=”https://dailynewshungary.com/discover-budapest-international-photography-project-best-photos/” type=”big” color=”orange” newwindow=”yes”] Take a look at these photos of Budapest to get to know the city better [/button]
Howdesign.com had some nice things to say about Budapest (member since 2015), pointing out that there is a close working relationship between the city leaders and the inhabitants with the goal of making it worth to live in Budapest and improving living conditions. In this effort is very helpful the Smart City Lab, as it helps strengthen the understanding and co-operation between the innovators and citizens or public institutions. The goal is the same: improving urban living. The authors of the article also point out one of the most exciting events in Budapest, the Design Week Budapest. The 10-day festival, offering over 100 programs, explores and emphasises the importance of design in economics.
Ce: bm
Underground treasures: 4 amazing attractions of Hungary below the surface
There are several underground attractions in Hungary that transport us to a mysterious, unknown world. Femcafe.hu has collected 4 must-see sights under the surface which are great choices whether you’re interested in history, geography or just want to escape the summer heat.
Town under the town: the Archbishop’s Cellar in Eger
The entrance to the former diocesan cellar system is located at the foot of the Basilica of Eger. The Archbishop’s Cellar was chosen as one of the seven wonders of Hungary. The cellar was created by bishop György Fenessy who mined tuff to build the Archbishop’s Palace. The 3 km long cellar system was used as a wine storage for a long time, then after WWII, it was forgotten and became dangerous. In the 70s, they attempted to restore it by strengthening it with a metal structure and giving it a concrete floor, but water was still seeping in, creating beautiful limestone formations. Today, the tunnel hosts an exhibition about the history of the city. A tour of the cellar takes 40-50 minutes, and visitors are advised to dress warmly as temperatures underground drop to 12 degrees Celsius.
The Lake Cave of Tapolca
The Lake Cave of Tapolca is the only cave in Hungary which can be explored by a boat. The cave was created by thermal water, and only discovered in 1903. Altogether 200 metres of the 3 km long cave system can be explored by boat. The water is approximately 20 degrees and 70-120 cm deep. Above the cave, a 10-room visitor centre completes the experience. The visitors centre opened in 2015, and it houses an exhibition on the unique karst formations and caves of the area. (bfnp.hu)
[button link=”https://dailynewshungary.com/largest-cave-bath-central-europe-hungary-atiras-alatt/” type=”big” color=”red” newwindow=”yes”] The largest cave bath of Central Europe is in Hungary[/button]
Early Christian Mausoleums, Pécs
The Early Christian Mausoleums are located near the Cathedral of Pécs. The necropolis was established in the 4th century and it was the burial ground of the early Christian residents of the city. The memorial became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The exploration of the mausoleums has been going on for over 200 years, so far archaeologists have found 16 mausoleums, several hundred tombs and various Roman items.
Labyrinth of Buda Castle, Budapest
The welling up of thermal water created these caverns in the limestone of Buda. Later, they were used as wine cellars and to store produce, but the 2- and 3-storey underground tunnels were forgotten after a time. They were rediscovered in the 19th century, and the labyrinth opened to the public in 1935. It was used as a shelter during WWII, then over the next few decades, it was opened and closed several times. In 1983, it was opened as the Labyrinth of Buda Castle, housing waxworks and exhibitions on 10 thousand square metres. In 2011, it was closed, and it reopened again in 2016.
Cover Photo: www.facebook.com/tavasbarlang.latogatokozpont
Ce: bm
Here are the plans for the reconstruction of the Chain Bridge and the Castle Hill Tunnel
The reconstruction of the Chain Bridge and the Buda Castle Hill Tunnel is estimated to begin later this year, 444.hu writes. The UNESCO World Heritage Sites will not change in appearance, but there will be no changes to the bike and car traffic on the bridge, either.
The reconstruction project is estimated to begin in autumn 2017. It will take 2.5 years to complete and will cost 22-23 billion forints (approx. 71 million euros).
The Chain Bridge and the Buda Castle Hill Tunnel are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and, as such, their appearance is under protection and cannot be changed. More attention will be paid to detail, however: the coat of arms of Baron Sina and Széchenyi on the base of the stone lions, as well as the original three-branched lamp posts, neither of which were included in the post-WWII reconstruction, will now be restored. Moreover, LED lights will be installed on the bridge.
[button link=”https://dailynewshungary.com/budapest-chain-bridge-among-beautiful-bridges-world/” type=”big” color=”red” newwindow=”yes”] Budapest Chain Bridge among the most beautiful bridges in the world[/button]
Traffic will experience no substantial changes on the bridge. Cyclists will be able to use the bridge as before: either among the cars or on the pavement, among pedestrians. The Hungarian Cyclists’ Club has suggested that bridge traffic should be limited to cyclists and buses, and there have also been plans to widen the pedestrian pavement due to the bridge’s popularity among tourists in the summer months, but both ideas have been discarded. According to the current plans, car traffic will not be reduced in the coming years.
Pedestrians will be able to use a new zebra crossing at the bridgehead in Pest to cross from one side of the bridge to the other more easily.
In the Castle Hill Tunnel, there will be a separate bike lane going in both directions, making traffic for pedestrians and cyclists more comfortable. Moreover, ventilation will ensure that smog does not accumulate in the tunnel. The mosaic tiles will be stripped, together with the brick wall underneath, and the tunnel will be reinforced with ferro-concrete, after which the mosaic tiles will be restored.
Ce: bm
A Hungarian astronomer rewarded by UNESCO
Szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu introduces Ágnes Kóspál, a young Hungarian astronomer, who was rewarded by UNESCO and received 15 thousand EUR.
Working at the Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Science (MTA), Ágnes Kóspál astronomer was rewarded with the award of UNESCO and L’Oreal in Paris, on March 23. Notably, this international award is given to young and talented scientists.
A jury of 12 scientists chose the winner from about 1500 applicants from all over the world and rewarded her with 15 thousand EUR. Only those scientists could apply who previously won the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women In Science award in their home country. Ágnes Kóspál won in Hungary in 2015.
She told MTI that this award is an appreciation of her work until now, and it also encourages her to keep up being energetic and enthusiastic regarding her future work. Furthermore, it also gives her the responsibility of a role model for the next generation.
After graduating at Eötvös Loránd University, Kóspál worked abroad, and returned to Hungary three years ago thanks to MTA’s Momentum (Lendület) program. Prior to that, she worked in Holland as a researcher at the University of Leiden for six years, and at the European Space Agency.
Currently she is at the Konkoly Observatory of MTA. She researches the secrets of the young stars with her own research group, which could help people to understand how the Solar System was born 4.6 billion years ago.
Ce: bm