Budapest: A City Steeped in History and Culture

Budapest, the Hungarian capital, is a beautiful and livable city situated on the banks of the Danube in Central Europe, serving as the nation’s political, economic, and cultural heart. The city has a complex history, with a tale of two cities that were once separated by the Danube until the construction of bridges in 1873. Budapest has experienced destruction and renewal, shaped by the great tides of European history, and its patchwork of districts can be challenging to navigate, with a rich history that can be overviewed from the Citadel on the Buda side of the Danube.

Historical Landmarks and Architecture

A 13th-century castle in Hungary has served as a home for Hungarian Kings, a stronghold for Ottoman armies, and a headquarters for a German Commando unit. The castle complex has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times over 700 years. Nearby landmarks include:

Matias Church, which was once a mosque
Fisherman’s Bastion, with its seven towers representing the seven tribes that founded the Hungarian nation

The area offers great views of the city, and a stroll across the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, completed in 1849, connects Castle Hill to the Pest side of the city. The bridge is one of many engineering wonders and achievements that earned its creator a notable title.

Parliament Building and Memorial Sites

Hungary’s Parliament building is an architectural masterpiece constructed from millions of bricks, precious stones, and gold, holding the nation’s hopes and dreams, and housing the Hungarian crown jewels. The building features numerous statues, including one of former Prime Minister Imre Nagy, who led a doomed uprising against the Soviets in 1956. A memorial to the city’s darkest chapters, including the events of 1944, is located a short walk down the river from the Parliament building.

Jewish Quarter and Cultural Attractions

Budapest, a city with a dark history of fascist executions, particularly of Jews, during World War II, now has one of the largest Jewish populations in Europe. The city’s Jewish quarter is undergoing renewal, with a vibrant cafe and bar scene, and is home to the Dohány Street Synagogue, the largest Jewish house of worship in Europe. Budapest also boasts over 200 museums, including the Hungarian National Museum, which showcases the country’s history from the Magyars to the Stalinist era.

Other Notable Landmarks and Attractions

Other notable landmarks and attractions in Budapest include:

St. Stephen’s Basilica, which played a significant role in the country’s past, including the 1848 revolution
Andrássy Avenue, a world heritage listed Boulevard with Neo-Renaissance architecture
The Hungarian State Opera House
Heroes’ Square, which features the founding Magyar Chieftains and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and serves as a gateway to City Park

Thermal Springs and Architecture

Budapest’s architecture and thermal springs reflect its rich history, with the castle being rebuilt in stone and now housing an agriculture museum, and the city being home to numerous thermal baths, including the Szechenyi Thermal Baths, which showcase the city’s connection to its medicinal waters.

Key Vocabulary

Term	Definition	Example Usage
Central Europe	A region in Europe that includes countries such as Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic.	Budapest, the Hungarian capital, is situated in Central Europe, serving as the nation’s political, economic, and cultural heart.
Danube	The second-longest river in Europe, flowing through several countries including Hungary.	The city of Budapest is situated on the banks of the Danube, with the river once separating the two cities of Buda and Pest.
Ottoman	Relating to the Ottoman Empire, a historical empire that existed from the 13th to the 20th century.	The 13th-century castle in Hungary served as a stronghold for Ottoman armies.
Neo-Renaissance	An architectural style that emerged in the 19th century, characterized by the use of Renaissance elements.	Andrássy Avenue is a world heritage listed Boulevard with Neo-Renaissance architecture.
Stalinist era	A period in history that refers to the time of Joseph Stalin’s rule in the Soviet Union, characterized by authoritarianism and repression.	The Hungarian National Museum showcases the country’s history from the Magyars to the Stalinist era.
Magyars	A nomadic people who settled in Hungary in the 10th century and founded the Hungarian nation.	The Hungarian National Museum showcases the country’s history from the Magyars to the Stalinist era.
Thermal springs	Natural springs that emit warm water, often used for therapeutic purposes.	Budapest is home to numerous thermal baths, including the Szechenyi Thermal Baths, which showcase the city’s connection to its medicinal waters.
Fascist	Relating to a political ideology that emphasizes authoritarianism and nationalism.	Budapest has a dark history of fascist executions, particularly of Jews, during World War II.
Medicinal waters	Waters that are believed to have healing properties, often used for therapeutic purposes.	Budapest is home to numerous thermal baths, which showcase the city’s connection to its medicinal waters.

Watch The Video

Budapest Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia

Vocabulary Quiz

1. Which word means ‘a person who leads a military unit’?

A) Commander
B) Architect
C) Commando
D) Engineer

2. What is the term for ‘a building or group of buildings used for a particular purpose’?

A) Complex
B) Castle
C) Headquarters
D) Monument

3. Which word means ‘a person who has been honored for their achievements’?

A) Notable
B) Famous
C) Legendary
D) Renowned

4. What is the term for ‘a wide road or avenue, especially one lined with trees or buildings’?

A) Boulevard
B) Highway
C) Street
D) Alley

5. Which word means ‘relating to or characteristic of the style of building or art of the Renaissance’?

A) Gothic
B) Baroque
C) Neo-Renaissance
D) Modern

Answer Key:

1. C
2. A
3. A
4. A
5. C

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: The Use of the Present Perfect Tense to Describe Completed Actions with a Connection to the Present

The present perfect tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and have a connection to the present. It is formed using the present tense of the auxiliary verb “have” and the past participle of the main verb. For example, “Budapest has experienced destruction and renewal” indicates that the city’s experience of destruction and renewal started in the past and has a connection to its current state. Another example is “the city has been shaped by the great tides of European history,” which shows that the city’s shaping by European history started in the past and continues to influence its present. The present perfect tense can also be used with “since” and “for” to indicate the starting point or duration of an action, as in “the castle complex has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times over 700 years.” This grammar point is essential for CEFR C1 level learners to master, as it allows them to describe complex actions and their connections to the present in a clear and nuanced manner.

Grammar Quiz:

Choose the correct answer for each question:

1. By the time I arrived in Budapest, my friends ____________________ their luggage and were waiting for me at the airport.

A) have checked

B) had checked

C) check

D) were checking

2. The Hungarian Parliament building ____________________ from millions of bricks, precious stones, and gold.

A) is constructed

B) has been constructed

C) was constructed

D) constructs

3. The city’s Jewish quarter ____________________ a vibrant cafe and bar scene in recent years.

A) has undergone

B) undergoes

C) underwent

D) will undergo

4. By next year, the Szechenyi Thermal Baths ____________________ their services for over 100 years.

A) will have been providing

B) provide

C) have provided

D) are providing

5. The Hungarian State Opera House ____________________ numerous performances since its opening in 1884.

A) has hosted

B) hosts

C) hosted

D) will host

Answer Key:

1. B) had checked

2. B) has been constructed

3. A) has undergone

4. A) will have been providing

5. A) has hosted