Landmarks of  Budapest

                                                                                       

 

In 1832, count István Széchenyi, "the greatest Hungarian" began to organize the construction of the bridge. While travelling in England, Széchenyi became personally acquainted with William Thierney Clark, who was commissioned to draft the plans for the bridge, and his namesake Adam Clark was asked to direct the construction , which was finished in 1849. The retreating German troops blew up the Chain Bridge in January 1945. This vital element of Budapest's cityscape was restored on the 100 th anniversary of its inauguration

 

 

After long discussion the construction of Parliament began in 1885 according to plans by Imre Steindl. Completed in 1904 it is one of Europe's most splendid Parliament buildings, reflecting its designer's taste and the nation's demands for representation. At the same time it is one of the landmarks of the capital. The neo-Gothic palace is 268 m long and its dome is 96 m high. The outer walls are decorated with statues of Hungarian monarchs and military commanders.

 

 

 

St. Stephen's Basilica
Though Budapest's biggest cathedral is not a basilica in the architectural sense tradition and the authority bestowed by the Pope have earned it this denotation. Its construction was begun in the neo-Classic style but later modified by Miklós Ibl according to architectural models from the Italian Renaissance. Dedicated in 1905, with a dome 96 m high Basilica holds up to 8500 persons. 
St. Stephen's statue of Carrara marble by Alajos Stróbl stands in the Sanctuary.

 

The spectacular ensemble of statues erected to commemorate the thousandth anniversary of the Magyar Conquest is situated at the end of Budapest's most beautiful avenue (Andrássy Street).
The monument was designed by Albert Schickedanz and Fülöp Herczog. Many of the statues representing Hungarian Monarchs and Princes of Transylvania were made by György Zala.
At the center of the Monument there is a column surrounded by seven figures - leaders of the seven Hungarian tribes.

 

The construction of the Opera, completed in 1884, was executed according to plans by Miklós Ybl. An ornate interior and exterior in the neo-Renaissance style serves the needs of the metropolis. Fine art works from leading Hungarian artists decorate the building. The technical equipment was supplied by the Austrian Asphaleia Company. The Opera House was renewed on the occasion of the 100 th anniversary of its opening.
Informations: http://www.jegymester.hu/startpage.jsp?place=3&alias=OPERA&lang=ENG

 

 

The largest thermal bath of Budapest. The neo-baroque baths were built in 1913. Its thermal springs were discovered in 1879 - they are the deepest and warmest thermal wells in Budapest.
It is a vast complex of indoor and outdoor pools, the premier medicinal bath of Pest, situated in the middle of the City Park.

 

 

The heart of Budapest is Váci Street between Vörösmarty Square and Elizabeth Bridge. The street gained its status in the mid-19 th century when the original small buildings and shops were replaced by neo-Classical and Eclectic apartments, department-store, international trade-centre and hotel located here, making Váci Street another Symbol of Budapest.This square has been one of the central spots in downtown Budapest since the early 19 th century. Originally called Promenade Square, it was renamed Theatre Square after the German Theatre which was situated there, and later it became Gizella Square. Since 1908 the square has been called Vörösmarty Square, after the great Hungarian poet of the 19 th century. An Eclectic-style palace houses the famous Confectionery "Gerbaud".
 

 

On the site of today's Vigadó in Pest the Redoute-building once stood, the first and very significant work of Mihály Pollack, the architect of the Hungarian National Museum. Between 1848 and 1849, at the time of the War of Independence, the first Chamber of Deputies sat in this building which drove General Hentzl, the commander of the Austrian troops in Buda, to destroy this beautiful palace. Between 1859 and 1864 Frigyes Feszl reerected the Redoute in the Romantic style. It is one of the finest pieces of Romantic architecture in Europe.

 

 

 

In the Middle Ages, this former marshy region was notable for the Diets held there on St. George's Day. The drainage of the swamp and the building up of this territory began in the 19 th century, and soon the park became a popular resting-place. This park lived its most glorious days during the Millenial Exhibition in 1896 commemorating the Magyar Conquest. The "Castle of Vajdahunyad" was built for the Millennial Exhibition by Ignác Alpár to illustrate the most beautiful buildings in the history of Hungarian architecture.
 

 

 

The original construction of the bridge between 1897 and 1903 was carried out according to the plans by Aurél Czekelius. Many houses and squares had to be destroyed at the Pest end of the bridge, today's Kossuth Lajos Street was straightened, and the bridge-gate and the two Eclectic "Klotild-Palaces", were also built. The beatiful bridge, the world's longest chain-bridge until 1926, was blown up in 1945 by the retreating German troops. Designed by Pál Sávoly, it was rebuilt as a cable-bridge in 1963.
 

 

 

As part of the expansive plans for the reconstruction of Castle Hill in the late 19th century was that segment of the city-wall that stands behind Matthias Church.
Between 1901 and 1905 the existing parts of the fortress were connected by neo-Romanesque corridors, terraces and towers following designs by Frigyes Schulek. The Fishermen's Bastion has become one of the capital's landmarks, offering a panoramic view of Pest.
 

 

 

 

The Zoo, established and opened in 1866, was enlarged in 1912, when many new animal-houses were built, which today are still the Zoo's most significant pieces of architecture. The main entrance and the elephant-house, richly decorated with ceramics, were made by Kornél Neuschloss.
Károly Kós, the outstanding writer and architect who was one of the most important representatives of Hungarian Art Nouveau, also designed some pavilions here. The hippopotamus "Dynasty" living in a thermal pond, is known throughout the world.
Homepage: www.zoobudapest.com/english/index.htm