Budapest

Budapest is the capital, political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre of Hungary. It has more than 1.7 million inhabitants. The city lies on the river Danube in the center of the country. In 1873 Budapest became a single city joining on the west side (right bank) of the river Buda and on the left (left bank) Pest. The climate of the city is between continental climate and sub-Mediterranean. One of main landmarks of Budapest is the neo-Gothic Parliament, containing amongst other things the Hungarian Crown Jewels. Saint Stephen's Basilica, where the Holy Right Hand of the founder of Hungary. The Buda Castle Hill is the historical castle and palace complex of the Hungarian kings in Budapest established in the 14th century and is officially recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The former Royal Palace is one of the symbols of Hungary but nowadays it houses two impressive museums and the National Széchenyi Library. The seven hundred year old Matthias Church is one of the jewels of Budapest and next to it is an equestrian statue of the first king of Hungary, King Saint Stephen, and behind that is the Fisherman's Bastion. Heroes’ Square is dominated by the Millenary Monument, with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front and under it is the Europe’s oldest Underground railway which still runs. Other famous landmarks of Budapest are Vajdahunyad Castle, the Museum of Fine Arts, Kunsthalle Budapest, City Park, Statue Park and Hungarian State Opera House. The city is home to the largest synagogue in Europe located in the Jewish district. Esztergom Basilica is the third largest church in Europe and Széchenyi Medicinal Bath is the largest medicinal bath in Europe. Seven islands can be found on the Danube: Shipyard Island, Margaret Island, Csepel Island, Palotai-sziget, Népsziget, Háros-sziget, and Molnár-sziget. Budapest is well known as a spa center with numerous bath such as the Király Baths, the Gellért Baths, the Rudas Baths, the Lukács Baths and the Széchenyi Baths. Budapest has an international airport and three main railway station Keleti (eastbound), Nyugati (westbound), and Déli (southbound).