Page 698 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

696  CENTR AL AND EASTERN EUROPE

Buda altarpieces, some Renais-
sance and Baroque art,
In 1247, Béla IV chose Buda, on the Danube’s west bank, and a wonderful
as his capital city. Its position, at 60 m (197 ft) above the selection of 19th-
river, made it a strategic choice. Buda expanded during and 20th-century
Angevin rule, reaching a zenith under Mátyás Corvinus Hungarian works.
Notable early
(1458–90), although further development was hindered works include The
by the Turkish occupation of 1541–1686. The Habsburgs’ Madonna of Bártfa
attempts to recover the city were devastating and (1465–70), and the
by the time of its liberation, the city had been largely folding St. Anne
destroyed. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Altarpiece (1510–20).
Habsburgs set about rebuilding the palace and the Among the
19th-century works,
old town, adding some magnificent buildings, but look out for the
most had to be rebuilt again after the siege of 1945. historical scenes
by Bertalan Székely
and the landscapes
incorporated into the St. Anne Altarpiece, of Mihály Munkácsy
restored palace that National Gallery (1844–1900), widely
visitors see today. held to be Hungary’s
Various statues, gateways, and greatest artist. The 20th-century
fountains have survived from works by Tivadar Kosztka
the 19th-century palace. In the Csontváry give a unique,
northwest courtyard stands idiosyncratic vision of the world.
the Mátyás Fountain (1904),
depicting Mátyás Corvinus E Budapest History
(1458–90) and his legendary Museum
love, the peasant girl, Ilonka. Royal Palace E Wing, Szent György
In front of the palace’s rebuilt tér 2. Tel (1) 487 8800. @ 16, 16A,
dome stands an equestrian 116. Open Tue–Sun. & 7
statue (1900) of Prince Eugene ∑ btm.hu
of Savoy, victor of the Battle of The city’s history museum
Zenta against the Turks in 1697. (Budapesti Történeti Múzeum),
The rebuilt Royal Palace with a grand Today, the palace houses a also known as the Castle
statue of the heroic Eugene of Savoy series of important national Museum, illustrates the city’s
1 Royal Palace collections, including the evolution from its origins
Széchenyi National Library, under the Romans.
Szinház utca. @ 16, 16A, 116. with over five million books Damage to the palace in
and manuscripts, the National World War II led to chambers
King Béla IV (1235–70) built Gallery, the Budapest History dating from the Middle Ages
a royal castle in Buda, but its Museum, and the Museum of being uncovered in the south
exact location is unknown. Contemporary History. wing. These were recreated in
Around 1400, it was replaced by the basement.
a Gothic palace, subsequently E Hungarian National The ground floor exhibits
remodeled in Renaissance style Gallery cover the period from Roman
by King Mátyás in 1458. Under Royal Palace A-B-C-D Wings, Szent times to the 15th century and
Turkish rule, the palace was György tér 2. Tel (1) 201 90 82. @ 16, include some Gothic statues,
used to stable horses and store 16A, 116. Open Tue–Sun. & 8 unearthed here in 1974. The
gunpowder, leading to its ∑ mng.hu first floor traces the history of
destruction in 1686 during the Established in 1957, the the city from 1686 (the end of
reconquest. A new palace, National Gallery has a superb Turkish rule) to the present.
begun in 1719 by the collection of Hungarian art
Habsburgs, grew in size and from medieval times to the
grandeur under Maria Teresa, 20th century. The permanent
but this too was destroyed in exhibits include a section of
the uprising of 1849 and had sculpture and stonework –
to be rebuilt in the second the Lapidarium. There are also
half of the 19th century. regular temporary exhibitions.
When the Habsburg palace Highlights include a carved
was again razed to the ground stone head of King Béla III, from
in February 1945, remains of the c.1200, religious artifacts
15th-century Gothic palace spanning several centuries, 15th-century majolica floor in the Budapest
were uncovered. These were including many fine Gothic History Museum
For hotels and restaurants see p704 and p705

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