The hill town of Buda grew up around its castle and Mátyás Church from the 13th century onward. At 60 meters (197 ft) above the Danube, the hill’s good strategic position and natural resources made it a prize site for its earliest inhabitants. In the 13th century, a large settlement arose when, after a Tartar invasion, King Béla IV decided to build his defensive castle and set up his capital here.

The reign of King Mátyás Corvinus in the 15th century was an important period in Buda’s evolution and the Budapest Castle District, but it suffered neglect under Turkish rule during the next century and was then destroyed by Christian troops.

The town was reborn and assumed an important role during the 18th and 19th centuries under the Habsburgs. By the end of World War II, the Old Town had been almost destroyed. The Royal Palace burnt to the ground. After the war the Royal Palace and Old Town were reconstructed, restoring the original allure of this part of the city.

Getting there

Castle Hill and the Old Town are pedestrianized, but you’ll find a couple of car parks where cars and coaches can park for a fee, allowing visitors to walk to the area.

• Bus 16 runs from Clark Ádám tér to Dísz tér, and a funicular railway (Sikló) connects Clark Ádám tér to Szent György tér.
• A minibus (Várbusz) arrives from Moszkva tér from the north.

Continue reading to plan your trip to Budapest Castle District with this complete Budapest Travel Guide!

The Royal Palace has borne many incarnations during its long life. Even now its is not known exactly where King Béla IV began building his castle, though it’s thought to be nearer the site of Mátyás Church. The Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg built a Gothic palace on the present site, from which today’s castle began to evolve. In the 18th century, the Habsburg built their monumental palace here.

The current form dates from the rebuilding of the 19th century palace after its destruction in February 1945. During this work, remains of the 15th century Gothic palace surfaced. Hungarian archaeologists decided to show the recovered defensive walls and royal chambers in the reconstruction.

Highlights of the Royal Palace in Budapest Castle District

• Ornamental gateway. Dating from 1903, the gateway leads from the Habsburg Steps to the Royal Palace. Nearby, a bronze sculpture of the mythical turul bird guards the palace. This statue marks the millennium anniversary of the Magyar conquest in 896.
• The dome. The dome which was rebuilt in the Neo-Classical style after the Neo-Baroque dome, designed by Alajos Hauszmann, was destroyed in the razing of the palace in World War II.

Since Budapest’s unification in 1873, historic artifacts in Hungary’s capital have been collected. Many are now on show at the Budapest History Museum, also known as the Castle Museum. During the rebuilding that followed the destruction suffered in World War II, chambers dating from the Middle Ages were uncovered in the south wing of the Royal Palace. They give an insight into the character of a much earlier castle within today’s Habsburg reconstruction.

Recreated in the palace its basement these include a tiny prison cell and a chapel. They now house an exhibition, “The Royal Palace in Medieval Buda”, which displays authentic weapons, seals, tiles, and other early artifacts. On the ground floor, “Budapest in the Middle Ages” illustrates how the town evolved from its Roman origins to a 13th-century Hungarian settlement.

Also on this level are the reconstructed defensive walls, gardens, a keep, and Gothic statues from the Royal Palace dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. The statues surfaced by chance in the major excavations of 1974. On the first floor, ‘Budapest in Modern Times” traces the city’s history from 1686 to the present.

Address

Szent György tér 2, Budapest Castle District

A magnificent collection of books has been housed since 1985 in wing F of the Royal Palace, built in 1890-1902 by Alajos Hauszmann and Miklós Ybl. Previously, the library was part of the Hungarian National Museum. Among the library’s most precious treasures is the Corviniani. This ancient book and manuscript collection originally belonged to King Mátyás Corvinus. His collection was one of the largest Renaissance libraries in Europe.

Also of importance are the earliest surviving records in the Hungarian language, dating from the early 13th century. Count Ferenc Széchényi founded the library in 1802. He endowed it with 15,000 books and 2,000 manuscripts. The collection now comprises five million items. Everything ever published in Hungary, in the Hungarian language, or that refers to Hungary is there.

Address

Szent György tér 6, Budapest Castle District

By the top of the cog-wheel railway stands the grand Neo-Classical mansion, Sándor Palace. Count Vincent Sándor commissioned it in 1806 to architects Mihály Pollack and Johann Aman. The bas-reliefs that decorate the palace are the work of Richárd Török, Miklós Melocco and Tamás Körössényi. The decoration on the western elevation depicts Greek gods on Mount Olympus.

The southern elevation shows Count Sándor being knighted and the northern elevation features a 1936 sculpture of St George by Zsigmond Kisfaludi Stróbl. Sándor Palace functioned as the prime minister’s official residence from 1867 to 1944, when it was severely damaged in World War II. The building has been completely restored, and it is now the official residence of the President of Hungary.

Address	Szent György tér 1-3, Budapest Castle District
Phone	+36 1 224 5000

The Parish Church of Our Lady Mary was on this site between the 13th and 15th centuries. Some of the existing architectural style dates from the reign of Sigismund of Luxembourg.

Its name refers to King Mátyás Corvinus, who greatly enlarged and embellished the church. Much of the original details disappeared when the Turks converted the church into the Great Mosque in 1541.

During Buda’s liberation, the church was almost destroyed but was rebuilt in the Baroque style by Franciscan Friars. The church sustained more damage in 1723 and was restored in the Neo-Gothic style by Frigyes Schulek in 1873-1896. The crypt houses the Museum of Ecclesiastical Art.

Highlights of the Matyas Church

• Béla Tower – This tower thanks its name to the church’s founder, King Béla IV. It has retained several of its original Gothic features.
• Main Portal – Above the arched west entrance is a 19th-century bas-relief of the Madonna and Child, seated between two angels. The work is by Lajos Lantai.

Matyas Fountain, also known as Matthias Fountain, is a stunning Neo-Baroque masterpiece in the western forecourt of the Budapest Castle District in Budapest, Hungary. Often referred to as the “Trevi Fountain of Budapest,” this monumental fountain is one of the most frequently photographed landmarks in the Hungarian capital.

The fountain was designed by Alajos Stróbl, a renowned Hungarian sculptor, and was completed in 1904. It commemorates King Matthias Corvinus, one of Hungary’s most beloved monarchs, who reigned during the 15th century. The fountain depicts a royal hunting scene, capturing the essence of King Matthias’s adventurous spirit.

Features, Symbolism, and Hidden Stories

Matyas Fountain is a complex and dynamic sculpture group. At the center stands King Matthias, dressed in hunting attire and holding a crossbow. Surrounding him are his hunting companions, including a falconer, a hound, and a slain deer. The figures’ intricate details and lifelike expressions showcase Stróbl’s exceptional craftsmanship.

Beyond its visual appeal, the fountain is rich in symbolism. It is said to tell a hidden love story involving King Matthias and a peasant girl named Ilonka. According to legend, Ilonka fell in love with the king during one of his hunting trips, but their love was doomed due to their different social statuses. This romantic tale adds a layer of intrigue and melancholy to the fountain’s narrative.

Situated in the Hunyadi Court of Buda Castle, Matyas Fountain is easily accessible to visitors exploring the historic castle district. The fountain’s location offers a picturesque backdrop, making it a popular spot for tourists and photographers alike.

 

Established in 1957, the Hungarian National Museum houses a comprehensive collection of Hungarian art from medieval times to the 20th century. Gathered by various groups and institutions since 1839, these works had previously been exhibited at the Hungarian National Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.

The collection moved to the Royal Palace in 1975. There are now six permanent exhibitions, presenting the most valuable Hungarian art in the world.

The square takes its name from the gate that once led from the walled town of Buda towards Vienna. The town demolished the old gate in 1896, after being damaged several times.. The current gate, based on a historic design, emerged in 1936 on the 250th anniversary of Buda’s liberation from the Turks.

The square has some interesting houses, Those at number 5, 6, 7 and 8 were built on the ruins of medieval dwellings. They’re Baroque and Rococo in design and feature sculptures and bas-reliefs.

Address

Bécsi kapu tér, Budapest

The Fisherman’s Bastion is perhaps the number one photo spot in the city, and at peak times this 19th-century Neo-Gothic monument can get very crowded.

If you time your visit for the opening though, you’ll get lovely light and more breathing room. Make sure you head to the upper observation deck to catch amazing views of the Danube.

Opening hours: 24 hours per day