Visiting Budapest [Part 1/6]: Buda Castle and Fisherman's Bastion

The first part of this six part series of images from Budapest, shows our first day in the city, during which we visited the Castle Hill. There are many historical and tourist attractions located on this hill, amongst them the Buda Castle and the Fisherman's Bastion.

This Series includes:
Part One: Visiting Buda Castle and Fisherman's Bastion
Part Two: Visiting Heroes Square, City Park and the Zoo
Part Three: A Night in Budapest (1)
Part Four: A Night in Budapest (2) 
Part Five: Visiting Great Market Hall and roaming the city
Part Six: Visiting the Hungarian Parliament

click on the images for a bigger view

In the 13th century, King Béla IV. ordered fortresses from stone to be built. The fortress of Buda was also founded at that time.

Later, during the Turkish occupation of Hungary, it was under Turkish rule for over 150 years. Not even the Habsburgs cared much about it, as the empire was ruled from Vienna. During the second world war it was badly damaged. The Palace was founded around 1247, but the royal seat was in Visegrad until the 15th century. It went under major reconstructions several times.

One way of getting to the palace is by the funicular next to the Tunnel, which has a 95 metres long, 48% steep track.

Before we arrived on the side where the Buda Castle is located, we took some images on and next to the famous Chain Bridge.

The Fisherman's Bastion depicted in the next image, is only 100 years old, even though its architecture suggests that it's much older. I was surprised by that. As it turns out, in medieval times, the fish market was nearby and the bastion was built to commemorate the fishermen who protected this part of the city. The seven tent-like turrets symbolize the seven Hungarian tribes that arrived to the Carpathian Basin in 896.

The view from the Bastion is simply amazing. You have whole Budapest at your hand.

 From up here you can spot the Hungarian Parliament on the other side of the river Danube.

We actually returned to these spots on our third night in Budapest, because we heard that the view of the city at night was magnificent. And as it turns out, that was an understatement. But more on that in the other parts of this trip, that will follow.