Budapest is the capital of Hungary and its main city, which occupies one most beautiful site in the world. The metropolis has two million inhabitants. The city is the seat of the parliament, government and president. Here are concentrated the most important companies and offices.

The Danube flows acros the city. The right bank – a hilly and woody area - is named Buda. The left one - flat and urban - Pest. Both of them became one in 1873, by the time of never-to-be-forgotten emperor Franz Jozeph. The magnificent architecture of Budapest takes us to those times. Buda was inhabited since the oldest times. During the Roman Empire dominance in Obuda was situated civil and military town - Aquincum. In Buda the best known building is Buda Castle - which dates back to the 13 th century. One of the symbols of the Hungarian nation is the Royal Palace, which hosts several institutions such as museums and libraries. The Palace was rebuilt several times, because of wars and disasters. Nearthe palace is the Fishermen’s Bastion with a great view. Matthias Church (Matyas templom) is the place of the coronations and royal weddings.

Buda is not only castles but also wooden hills - with the best-known Gellert Hill (Gellerthegy). The Citadel (Citadella), built on the top of the hill in 1851 as a military fortification offers today the most perfect view of the city. On the hill there is also the Tomb of Gul Baba (Gul Baba turbeje), which is a place for Moslem pilgrims called Hill of Roses (Rozsadomb). Pest is nowadays the main city centre. Andrassy Avenue - straight as an arrow – is lined with 19 th and 20 th century mansions designed with artistic thoughtfulness. In this street is located The Hungarian State Opera House built in It is the heart of Hungarian Music. Just a few steps away is Vaci street, which is called the main shopping area in the country.

The Inner City Parish Church is the first church of the city. Its interior shows examples of all architectural styles from Romanesque to Classicism. The Synagogue in Dohany Street is the largest synagogue in Europe. The Hungarian National Museum (Nemzeti Muzeum) is the finest monument of Hungarian Classical architecture. This is the most significant public collection in the country. The Grand Market Hall is outstanding in its architectural features. The most famous building in Budapest is the Parliament. This symbol of the city is the largest and most decorated building in the country.

The Parliament Heroes Square

It is the seat of the Parliament and the Government offices. Here are kept the royal insignia and the Holy Crown. The Sent Istvan Basilica is the largest church in the capital, and the second largest in the country. The Chapel of the Holy Right contains a relic of the first Hungarian king - St. Stephen.

Square Archangel Gabriel raises the Holy Crown to a height of 36 meters. On the square stands the Museum of Fine Arts containing the most important art collection in the country. The enthusiastic citizens to celebrate the country’s millennium in 1896 erected the notable buildings in the capital’s most important park. In the imposing Heroes

Lying in the middle of Budapest and of the Danube, the Margit Island is closed to car traffic and can easily be reached from both banks on foot. In the Island are located famous spas and warm springs. Budapest wouldn’t be the same without its bridges such as the most famous Chain Bridge (Szechenyi Hid), Liberty Bridge (Lgymanyosihid) and Elizabeth Bridge (Erzsebedhid). Bridges unite the banks of the longest European river and the two parts of the same city.

V.I.K. School