{"id":6809,"date":"2020-11-30T09:14:31","date_gmt":"2020-11-30T09:14:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/buda-castle-budapest\/"},"modified":"2024-01-18T14:08:34","modified_gmt":"2024-01-18T14:08:34","slug":"buda-castle-budapest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/en\/buda-castle-budapest\/","title":{"rendered":"Buda Castle in Budapest"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Nestled in the Castle Quarter (V\u00e1rnegyed<\/em> in Hungarian), Buda Castle (formerly known as the Royal Palace or the Royal Castle) is high on the list of the most iconic monuments of Budapest!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the guide!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udca1 The Captain\u2019s tip<\/strong> \ud83d\udca1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83e\uddd0 Want to know more about the history of Budapest?<\/strong> Captain Ulysses highly recommends this free guided tour of the city<\/a><\/mark>. It\u2019s up to you to choose how much you wish to tip the tour guide!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udca4 Are you looking for a hotel in Budapest?<\/strong> Be sure to check out the Captain’s article: Where to stay in Budapest? Advice & recommendations<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfdb Planning your trip to Budapest?<\/strong> Take a look the Captain’s detailed article on the best things to do: A Guide to Budapest<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc76 Planning a family adventure to Budapest?<\/strong> Discover all of the Captain\u2019s top tips in the article: Exploring Budapest with the Kids: Family-Friendly Activities<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Brief history of Buda Castle in Budapest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Construction of Buda Castle began in the 13 th<\/sup> century, during the reign of King B\u00e9la IV of Hungary. In the following century, King Sigismund of Luxembourg enlarged the palace and consolidated its fortifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 15 th<\/sup> century, King Matthias I st<\/sup> ordered the construction of a Renaissance palace adjacent to the already existing castle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 16 th<\/sup> and 17 th<\/sup> centuries, Buda Castle was damaged on several occasions and almost completely destroyed during the wars with the Ottoman Empire and later the House of Habsburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The palace was entirely rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 18 th<\/sup> century, during the reign of Queen Maria Theresa of Austria, and briefly converted into a university before becoming the residence of the Palatines (the highest dignitary in the kingdom after the king).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, Buda Castle was destroyed in a fire. It was subsequently rebuilt (again), this time in the neoclassical style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But during World War II, Buda Castle was destroyed yet again. It was rebuilt in the 1960s, but the reconstruction is now highly criticized by specialists. New renovations are on the agenda to correct the mistakes made in the 1960s and restore Buda Castle to its former glory!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Buda<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Visiting Buda Castle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, visitors are not allowed inside the castle. That being said, the castle is still worth taking a look at!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the must-sees in and around Buda Castle !<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 The Turul<\/strong>: this huge bronze statue represents a bird perched on the portal of Buda Castle, facing the Danube. In Hungarian mythology, the Turul is a mythical bird similar to an eagle or a falcon. According to legend, the Turul led the Magyar people (the ancestors of the Hungarians) to the Carpathian basin where they settled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Turul | Buda Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 The equestrian statue of Prince Eugene of Savoy<\/strong> : opposite the main entrance of Buda Castle, don’t miss the imposing statue of Prince Eugene of Savoy. He was one of the greatest generals of his time, famous for his remarkable feats in the war opposing the Ottoman Empire and the Austrian armies. Designed by Hungarian artist J\u00f3zsef R\u00f3na, the statue was originally commissioned by the city of Zenta, Serbia. As the town could not afford the price, the statue was bought by the city of Budapest.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Matthias Fountain | Buda Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 Matthias Fountain<\/strong> : located in the western courtyard of Buda Castle, this monumental neo-baroque fountain is the work of famous Hungarian sculptor Alajos Str\u00f3bl. The fountain represents a hunting party led by King Matthias I st<\/sup> , represented bow in hand, a dead deer at his feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 The Lion Gate<\/strong> : at the entrance of the Lions Court, two pairs of lions guard the immense portal. On the outer side of the gate, the lions seem calm and dignified while on the inner side, they look undoubtedly threatening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 Sz\u00e9chenyi National Library<\/strong> : Buda Castle is home to the Sz\u00e9chenyi National Library, created in 1802 by Count Ferenc Sz\u00e9ch\u00e9nyi who offered the Hungarian nation his own collection of rare and precious books. The library contains books who initially belonged to King Matthias I st<\/sup> in the 15 th<\/sup> century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 Budapest History Museum<\/strong> : nestled in Buda Castle, the History Museum documents the history of the capital. But if you’re interested in finding out more about the country’s history, Captain Ulysses recommends visiting the Hungarian National Museum<\/a> instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 The Hungarian National Gallery<\/strong> : unlike the Budapest History Museum, the Hungarian National Gallery (not to be confused with the Hungarian National Museum) is one of the most beautiful museums in the city. It is a must-see for art lovers!
Find out more in Captain Ulysses’ detailed article: the Hungarian National Gallery<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Access<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting to Buda Castle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Located on the Castle Hill, a few steps from the Sz\u00e9chenyi Chain Bridge<\/a>, Buda Castle is quite easily accessible. The closest public transports are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n