Built by the Hungarian royal line in the 14th Century Gothic style, Budavári Palota, or Buda Castle Palace, was almost totally destroyed when it was retaken from the Turks and was rebuilt first in a Baroque style in the 18thCentury, when it was the centre of fashionable Budapest, and then most recently fixed up in a Neo-Baroque style in the 20th Century after it was damaged so much in the second World War the sections of the medieval original began to show though.

The interiors were all destroyed in the war, but the crypt, where the Hungarian Habsburgs were buried for several generations, survived and has only since been enhanced with new artworks, frescos, statues and ornate tombs. The Gothic Hall is the other important survivor, architecturally speaking, the dramatic rib cage of a vault held surprisingly firm.

Today the castle buildings are used as museums, and The Ludwig Museum, The Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum vie for space and visitors. It’s in the oldest and one of the most lovely parts of the city and around it are several archaeological digs which feed the museums as well as the medieval, Baroque and 19th Century houses this hill is famous for.

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

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The Castle District

The Castle District is made up of two main parts. The Royal part with the Royal Palace and the civil part with Mattias Church, Fisherman Bastion and its baroque houses. The whole Castle district area is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sights.

The Royal Palace had been the seat of the Hungarian kings for centuries. The Neo-Baroque version built in the 1700s was burnt down in the WWII. then rebuilt in a simplified form with a dome. Please try not to have too high expectation when you go inside as there are only two museums and the biggest library in Hungary. You certainly not get disappointed if you don’t expect lovely ballrooms and gold-plated interior with rich ornaments only whitewashed walls and nice exhibitions.

 

Review posted 11th September 2009 by Agnes.

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