Page 8 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

6  HOW T O USE THIS GUIDE HOW T O USE THIS GUIDE  7
HUNGAR Y REGION B Y REGION  133
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE AROUND Introduction The Hungary Region by Region
BUDAPEST
Strategically sited castles and vast cathedrals, 1landscape, history and
including Hungary’s largest, look out over the The coloured areas shown on the
pleasure boats navigating the Danube Bend. The character of each region
This travel guide helps you get the most Region by Region section, which covers unique evening sunlight here has always attracted artists to the region, are portrayed here, with a map on the book’s inside front
and evidence of a rich cultural heritage is everywhere. Gödöllő boasts
the stunning Royal Palace, while the Duna-Ipoly National Park offers
from your visit to Hungary, providing all the important towns, cities and places a superb habitat for native wildlife. description of how the cover show the five main sight­
With its darting twists and turns, steep seeking respite today are the thousands
detailed practical information as well as around the country, with photographs, banks and deep valleys, the Danube of Budapest residents who keep holiday area has developed over seeing regions into which Hungary
Bend has been a site of refuge for almost
homes in the area, and the legions of
2,000 years. Rome built garrisons here, and visitors on short trips from the capital –
there are remnants of that great empire a fact that is reflected in local prices. the centuries and what it has been divided. Each is covered
expert recommendations. Introducing maps and illustrations. Details of hotels, everywhere. The natural fortress that is the of the Börzsöny and the Duna-Ipoly offers the visitor today. in a full chapter in Hungary Region
Over on the east bank the rolling hills
Danube’s west bank was later the chosen
National Park – home to more than
site for the construction of the historic
Hungary maps the whole country and sets restaurants, shops and markets, entertain- towns of Visegrád and Esztergom, both half of Hungary’s native bird species –
built with protection and defence in mind. make for sensational hiking, walking
Esztergom was the scene of the Hungarian and birdwatching.
conversion to Christianity, and Visegrád This is perhaps the most cosmopolitan by Region (see pp128–259). The most
it in its historical and cultural context. ment and sports are found in Travellers’ was the impenetrable seat of royal power. part of Hungary, where visitors can expect interesting towns and places to visit
warm, welcoming and multilingual hosts,
Later still came Szentendre, which, like
but in summer it can be very hot and busy.
Ráckeve to the south of the capital, was
As autumn usually brings plenty of rain and
founded by Serbs fleeing persecution at
The first section, on Budapest, gives an Needs, while the Survival Guide contains home and, though few Serbs remain, winter can be very cold, the early spring – have been numbered on Regional
traces of their culture and their religion
March, April and May – may be the best
are evident everywhere. Those who come time for exploring these historic places.
overview of the capital’s main attractions. advice on everything from medical services Maps throughout the book.
Hungary’s regions are charted in the and public transport to personal safety.
134  HUNGAR Y REGION B Y REGION AROUND BUD APEST  135
Exploring Around Budapest Sights at a Glance
The countryside and villages around Budapest have always 1 Ráckeve
2 Ócsa
been a major draw for visitors to the capital. To the north is 3 Gödöllő p136 & pp138–9
the Danube Bend (Dunakanyar), and in the middle of it the 4 Vácrátót
5 Vác
art-loving village of Szen tendre. Further upriver are the
Budapest Area by Area BUD APEST AREA B Y AREA  95 Baroque town of Vác and Hungary’s most sacred city, 6 Szentendre pp142–4
7 Visegrád
Esztergom. Beyond, the Duna-Ipoly National Park offers
countless hiking and nature trails. The Royal Mansion in
Magnificent frescoes in the Serbian Orthodox Church in Ráckeve DUNA-IPOLY 8 Zebegény Regional Map This shows
9 Nagybörzsöny & Duna-Ipoly
Gödöllő to the east is worth seeing, and south of
National Park
CENTRAL PEST Statue of István, the first Hungarian king, at Esztergom – the site of his coronation NAGYBÖRZSÖNY NATIONAL PARK 0 Esztergom pp146–9
Budapest are the pretty town of Ráckeve and the Ócsa
Budapest has been divided At the end of the 17th century much of Pest most prominent example of this work is the Area Map For easy Nature Reserve, a unique habitat of reedy bogs. 2the road network and gives
was in ruins and few residents remained.
Hungarian National Museum. At this time
into four central areas and Within the next decades, however, new Pest surpassed Buda as a centre for trade and 1reference, the sights in ESZTERGOM ZEBEGÉNY VISEGRÁD VÁC Kosd The Royal Palace in Gödöllő, built by Count Antal Grassalkovich an illustrated overvi
residential districts were established – today’s industry. This was partly due to the Jewish
midtown suburbs. In the 19th century,
community, who actively helped develop the
a Further Afield section. redevelopment schemes introduced grand area. Today it combines commerce and culture each area are numbered Dorog Komárom SZENTENDRE Leányfalu Göd VÁCRÁTÓT Debrecen the whole region. The most
with beautiful architecture, elegant shopping
houses and apartment blocks, as well as
arcades and plentiful cafés and restaurants.
secular and municipal buildings. Perhaps the
Each area is described in an Sights at a Glance Churches and Synagogues and plotted on a map. Pilisvörösvar Pomáz Dunakeszi Veresegyház Aszód Key Motorway interesting places to visit
Museums
Major road
individual section, giving the q Museum of Applied Arts 6 Inner City Parish Church ARADI U. CSENGERY U. HUNYAGI Vörösmarty Sights in the city centre Beautiful waterlilies in the marshes around Ócsa Zsámbék Solymár Duna (Danub e) Csömör Fót Kerepes GÖDÖLLŐ
w Hungarian National Museum
9 University Church
pp102–3
Secondary road
e Great Synagogue
utca
i House of Terror Museum
Minor road
Streets and Squares
names of all main sights and Historic Buildings 1 Vigadó Square ANDRÁSSY ÚT. Oktogon TÉR KIRÁLY U. are also shown on the Getting Around Győr Budakeszi Kistarcsa Pécel Isaszeg Jászberény Main railway are also useful tips on
Minor railway
2 Mihály Vörösmarty Square
and Monuments
Budapest has an international airport, and from here
3 Turkish Bank
5 Váci Street
International border
destinations such as Szentendre, Gödöllő and Ócsa are
r Jewish Quarter
4 Pest County Hall
best reached by train, on the Budapest sub urban rail
Regional border
attractions. The sights are 7 Klotild Palaces VASVÁRY P. U. Opera KIRÁLY U. ERZSÉBET KÖRÚT Budapest Street Finder network (HÉV, see p310). Other sightseeing areas can be Biatorbágy Törökbálint Budaörs BUDAPEST Vecsés Gyömrő Sülysáp getting around the regi
8 City Council Chamber
visited by train or car. During the summer months, the
0 Ervin Szabó Library
most relaxing way to reach the Danube Bend is by Mahart
t New York Palace
Passnave motor boat, departing north wards from Vigadó
numbered on the area map. y Liszt Academy of Music ANDRÁSSY ÚT. PAULAY EDE U. KIRÁLY U. KAZINCZY U. KIS DIÓFA U. CSÁNYI U. KLAUZÁL TÉR KERTÉSZ U. on pages 122–7. tér in Buda pest. Services run to Esztergom and stop at fehérvár Érd Szigetszent- miklós Gyál Ül
u New Theatre
most towns along the way. Other services go to
Székes-
Bajcsy-
Szentendre and Vác.
Zs.út
Széchenyi Lánchíd EÖTVÖS JÓZSEF ATTILA U. ERZSÉBET TÉR HOLLÓ U. DOB U. ERZSÉBETVÁROS Szigethalom
TÉR JÓZSEF NÁDOR Deák Százhalom-
TÉR Ferenc tér Blaha batta
Vörösmarty HARMINCAD U. DOB U. WESSELÉNYI U. NAGY DIÓFA U. KLAUZÁL U. AKÁCFA U. Lujza Tér
tér KÁROLY KÖRÚT RUMBACH S. U. BLAHA LUJZA Dunavarsány ÓCSA Inárcs Szolnok
DEÁK FERENC U. VÁCI U. VÁROSHÁZ U. GERLÓCZY U. SÍP U. RÁKÓCZI ÚT. DOHÁNY U. STÁHLY U. TÉR Ercsi Ráckevei-Duna PEST
Da n u be
RÉGIPOSTA U. PETÕFI S. U. KOSSUTH L. U. Astoria SZENTKIRÁLYI U. VAS U. GYULAI PÁL U. SOMOGYI BÉLA U. JÓZSEF KÖRÚT Kiskunlacháza Bugyi Újhartyán
APÁCZAI U.
PESTI B. U. SZABAD SAJTÓ ÚT. Ferenciek MÚZEU BRÓDY SÁNDOR U. Rákóczi tér TÉR RÁCKEVE Dabas Kecskemét
JANE HANING RAKPART
GUTENBERG
tere
PUSKIN U.
DUNA U.
Sights at a glance Erzsébet híd BELVÁROS VERES PÁLNÉ U. KÁROLYI U. FERENCZY I. U. M KÖRÚT MAGYAR U. KÁLVIN MÚZEUM U. HORÁNSZKY U. KRÚDY U. MÁRIA U. A locator map shows at a Dömsöd
lists the buildings in MOLNÁR U. VÁCI U. SZERB U. KIRÁLYI PÁL U. TÉR Kálvin tér BAROSS U. MÁRIA U. JÓZSEF KÖRÚT glance where you are in Dunaúj- Kalocsa 0 kilometres 10 10
város
0 miles
a particular area by See also Street Finder Fővám tér FŐVÁM TÉR VÁMHÁZ KRT LÓNYAY U. RÁDAY U. IX Ü L LÕ I Ú T relation to the city plan. Inside Esztergom Basilica, centre of Catholicism in Hungary 166  HUNGAR For additional keys to symbols see ba
A statue of Justice, crowning the Baroque
town hall in Vác Y REGION B Y REGION
For hotels and restaurants see pp264–269 and pp276–285
maps 2 & 4
category. CSARNOK TÉR KINIZSI U. KNÉZITS U. Corvin Negyed collection of ecclesiastical family, who bought the town in
art. Another room contains
1534. Patriarch Tamás Nádasdy
0 metres 400 D a n u b e KÖZRAKTÁR U. RÁDAY U. a series of frescoes by István brought in Italian architects to
create a genuine Renais sance
Dorfmeister based on life in
0 yards 400 LÓ N YAY U . FERENC KÖRÚT Each region of Hungary can ancient Savaria. master piece, which, with
A short walk from the
various additions, survives more
the main centre of the city
Much of the castle is given
96  BUD APEST AREA B Y AREA CENTR AL PEST  97 be quickly identified using cathedral is Fő tér, today or less intact to the present day.
over to the Ferenc Nádasdy
and a shopper’s paradise that
Ornate façade on Váci Street, which like much of central Pest is pedestrianized For keys to map symbols see back flap is popular with mothers and Museum, the highlight of which
are two series of frescoes:
children. There are further
Street-by-Street: Around Váci Street AROUND the colour coding on the Roman ruins at the Iseum Ruin 17th-century works showing
Garden on Batthány tér, featuring
the Hungarians in battle with
PARLIAMENT
A suggested route for a The northern section of Váci Street has been Budapest’s fashionable CENTRAL inside front cover. a temple to the goddess Isis, the Turks and scenes from the
Old Testa ment painted by István
believed to be one of only three
area for walking, meeting in cafés and shopping in elegant boutiques
Dorfmeister in 1769. There are
ever found in Europe. Next door
walk is shown in red. since the early 19th century. Its attractive promenade is an enjoyable GELLÉRT PEST The impressive hilltop Benedictine abbey church in Ják is the Szombathely Gallery. In also exhibitions of the family’s One of the outdoor pools at
place for a stroll in the evening, when it is stylishly illuminated.
May, when more than 50 kinds
and town’s histories, regional
HILL AND
folk art and period furniture.
of rhodo dendron are in full
TABÁN
Gerbeaud Cukrászda Locator Map Danube w Ják e Szombathely bloom, the Kámoni Arbor etum The castle is reached via a long t Bük disorders, and the grounds are
stone bridge over what was
is one of the best See Street Finder map 4 12 km (7 miles) south of Szom bathely. 101 km (60 miles) southwest of Győr.
north of the city centre is well
patisseries in town. Road Map A4. * 2,400. @ from Road Map A3. * 115,000. £ from worth a visit. once a moat. 24km (15 miles) northeast of Szom- well laid out with grassy areas,
Szombathely. Sopron, Győr. @ from Zalaergeszeg. In 1961, during a search for bathely. Road Map A3. * 3,100. children’s play grounds, snack
n Tourinform, Király utca 1/A, (94) 31 oil (see below), hot springs £ from Szombathely, Sopron. @ bars and restaurants. A fair-sized
The Benedictine St George’s 72 69. _ Bartók Classical Music (44 °C/111 °F) were found in from Szombathely. n Tourinform, resort has also grown up around
Holy Figures adorn the Abbey Church (Jáki Szent Festival (Jul); Savaria Carnival (Aug). Sárvár, and the Sárvár Spa Eötvös utca 11, (94) 55 84 19. the pool complex, and the
Vigadó concert D O R O T T Y A U 19th-century façade of the 5 . Váci Street Detailed information All the György Bence’s Apátsági Founded by the Romans in and Wellness Centre is now Thermal springs were dis covered Greenfield H
Budapest’s most elegant promenade and shopping area is lined with
Street-by-Street Map This hall 3 Turkish fashion boutiques, cafés, fountains and statues. Off the street there and most impressive example AD 43, and known as Savaria, plexes and, after its renovation at this village near the Austrian the thermal bath
(see p293), a short walk from
Baroque Servite Church.
Templom) is the best-preserved
one of the largest bath com-
are old courtyards and shopping arcades.
border in 1956 during a search
Szombathely was an important
of Romanesque archi tecture in
and extension, the most mod-
Hungary’s finest golfing centre.
indoor and outdoor pools,
Health and Adventure Centre
Hungary to have hosted a
twin-towered master piece,
the “Amber Road” from the
2bird’s-eye view shows the heart of V I G A D Ó U Bank Párizsi Udvar is found on the 3important towns and other Hungary. Built in 1214–56, this trading and staging post on ern in Hungary. It comprises for oil. Since then the Bükfürdő It is the only 18-h
professional golf tournament.
Baltic Sea to Italy. Every August
leisure and splash pools, a
influenced by late Norman
has grown to become one of
sauna and a treatment centre
architecture, sits imposingly on
places to visit are described
the Savaria Carnival recreates
Hungary’s largest, and most
corner of Kígyó utca and Petőfi
 Bük Medicinal Baths
those ancient days, and
attractive medicinal bath
a hilltop above the village. The
offering various therapies.
Sándor utca. The arcade,
each sightseeing area. The sights D E Á K F E R E N C U currently closed for renovation, individually. They are listed in western façade is worthy of note hundreds of volunteers don E Ferenc Nádasdy Museum complexes. There are 32 indoor Termál körút 2.
Open winter: 8:30am–6pm daily;
and outdoor pools of various sizes
with its recessed doorway, a
Roman costumes and engage
is set to become a hotel with
richly decorated portal featuring
Várkerület 1. Tel (95) 32 01 58.
summer: 8:30am–7:30pm daily.
in battles, dancing and music.
and temp eratures, offering treat-
shops downstairs.
Open Jul–Aug: 9am–9pm; Sep–Jun:
carry the same numbers here as order, following the numbering almost life-size carvings of Jesus The remains of the once-vast Szombathely Cathedral, Hungary’s largest 9am–5pm. & 8 ments for a variety of different & 7
Roman Forum (Savaria was
and the Apostles. This style,
Baroque church
the capital of Roman Pannonia
called the Porta Speciosa
Oil and Water
 Sárvár Spa and Wellness
Superior) are among
technique, was refined here
Centre
on the area map and the fuller V Á C I U T C A on the Regional Map. Each entry before becoming a model the city’s leading r Sárvár Vadkert utca 1. Tel (95) 52 36 00. Many of the largest thermal
for Roman esque
Open 8am–10pm daily. & 7
sights, with mosaic
bath complexes in Hungary,
such as those at Bük and
churches all over
floors and the
25 km (16 miles) east of Szom bathely.
Hungary. Inside the
public baths clearly
Sárvár, have only been in
Road Map A3. * 15,000. £ from
description on subsequent pages. P A R I Z S I U church are original visible. There is Szombathely. @ from Szombathely. existence since the latter
14th-century
part of the 20th century,
more Roman
n Tourinform, Várkerület 33, (95) 52
when the thermal springs
treasure on show
frescoes showing
01 78).
2 Mihály Vörösmarty Square has details of the main sights. the church’s at the Savaria that serve them were
found during oil searches.
A Carrara marble monument R É G I P O S T A U T C A founder, Jáki Nagy Detail on the portal of the Museum. Standing The Magyars built an earth Desperate to fuel its
to the poet Mihály Vörösmarty Márton, and his Benedictine abbey in Ják next to the ruins is castle (sárvár translates quite industrialization, Hungary’s
stands in this square. The statue family. The church the city’s cathedral, literally as “mud castle”) here in Communist government
was created by Ede Telcs and V Á C I U T C A was fully restored in 1890 Hungary’s largest Baroque the 10th century. Long before hoped that the discovery of
symbolizes the Hungarian by Frigyes Schulek, who also church, built in 1791–4. Its that it appears the Romans the Nagylengyel oil field in
nation united in the poet’s K I G Y Ó U 7 . Klotild Palaces restored the Mátyás Church interior suffered great damage had some fortifications here, the west of the country in Indoor thermal baths in Sárvár
words: “Your homeland, These beautifully decorated twin buildings, in Buda pest (see pp66–7). The during World War II and is and even the Celts found this 1951 would be the first of
Hungary, serve unwave ringly”. designed as elegant apartment blocks in tiny St Jakab Chapel opposite undergoing continuous resto- confluence of the Rába river a many oil strikes in the region. Vast sums of money were spent
the Historicist style, flank each side of the was built in 1260 for the use ration work. However, it is open sound defensive position. The foraging for oil, though all that was found was what became known
approach to the Elizabeth Bridge.
of non-monastic villagers. to the public. Next to it is the Sárvár Castle that now attracts as “white gold”: thermal water. Some small deposits of crude oil
Bishop’s Palace, an attractive visitors is far from the mud of were eventually located, but although Hungary does produce
Thonet House was built in 1888– R St George’s Abbey Church Rococo building whose Sala yore, how ever, having been oil (Zalaegerszeg is the centre of the industry; see p162), domestic
Fő tér. Tel (94) 35 60 14. Open 8am–
production accounts for less than 10 per cent of consumption.
90 by Ödön Lechner (see p87) and 6pm daily. 7 Terrena houses the Dio cesan built in the 16th century. Its The Knights Hall in Sárvár Castle, with
Gyula Pártos. The building stands Museum, which has a fine patrons were the Nádasdy superb battle frescoes
today in its original form, featuring P E S T I U 0 metres 50 For hotels and restaurants see pp264–269 and pp276–285
Zsolnay ceramics from Pécs.
114  BUD APEST AREA B Y AREA FUR THER AFIELD  115 0 yards 50 Key 180  HUNGAR Y REGION B Y REGION NOR THERN TR ANSD ANUBIA  181
Suggested route
Péterffy Palace, now the Százéves
community. At the end of e Buda Hills h Pannonhalma Abbey Cloister VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Étterem, is one of Pest’s few
the 19th century, nearly a Budai-hegység remaining Baroque mansions. Built Remains of Contra The story of Pannonhalma Abbey is as old as Basilica Late Gothic vaulting in the
cloister was added during
Aquincum
by András Mayerhoffer in 1755 for
quarter of the city’s inhabit ants q Széll Kálmán tér, then v 56, then 6 . Inner City Parish Church The Basilica’s stained- renovation of the abbey, Practical Information
were Jewish. Tombs to look cog-wheel railway and chair lift. This limestone and marble Hungary itself. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since glass windows were carried out during the reign Vár 1, Pannonhalma, 20 km (12
the magistrate János Péterffy, above
out for as you stroll among the gateway there is a beautiful tabernacle, in the church, dates 1996, there has been an abbey here since 1002, added in around 1860. of King Mátyás, in 1486. miles) SE of Győr. Road Map B3.
the graves include that of the To the west of the city centre from the early 16th century the same year St István brought Christianity to the This one depicts St Tel (96) 57 01 91. Open 21 Mar–
balcony supported by atlantes.
Wellisch family, designed in For hotels and restaurants see pp264–269 and pp276–285 Magyars. The original abbey burned down and was Ladislaus, or László I, a Apr & Oct–11 Nov: 9am–4pm The visitors’ checklist gives all the
are the wooded Buda Hills.
1903 by Arthur Wellisch, and There are many caves here, pious knight-king of Tue–Sun; May: 9am–4pm daily;
that of Konrád Polnay, which including Szemlőhegyi and replaced in 1137 with a Romanesque construction, the 11th century Jun–Sep: 9am–5pm daily; 12
was designed five years later Pálvölgyi-barlang. itself superseded by the late Romanesque–early canonized a century Nov–20 Mar: 10am–3pm Tue– practical informa tion needed to
Sun. Library: Tel (96) 57 01 91.
by Gyula Fodor. Perhaps the The first station of a Gothic basilica still in existence today. The basilica’s after his death. & 8 7 ^ Abbey. 0 =
most eye catching of all tombs cog- wheel railway, built in main portal of receding arches is one of the most
belongs to the Schmidl family. 1874, is on Szilágyi Erzsébet important surviving examples of a Porta Speciosa Transport plan your visit.
The startlingly flamboyant fasor. This runs up Sváb Hill – Stars indicate the sights extant in Hungary. £ @
edifice, designed in 1903 named after the Germanic
by Hungary’s prominent Foyer in the Palace of Arts, a multi-arts performance venue Swabians, who settled here
architects Ödön Lechner and under the Habsburgs (see pp44–5) . Arboretum
Béla Lajta, is covered in vivid q Palace of Arts fence of the wild and craggy – and then Széchenyi Hill. that no visitor should miss. The arboretum on the
The excavations of the Roman town Aquincum and the museum turquoise ceramic tiles. The (MÜPA) 300-sq-m (360-sq-yd) reserve From Széchenyi Hill a eastern slope has been
narrow-gauge railway covers
that it encloses. It is worth taking
central mosaic in green and
the site of more than
Művészetek Palotája
8 Aquincum drainage system. The sanctuaries gold tiles represents the Komor Marcell utca 1. v 1, 2, 2A, 24. the guided walk in the reserve, a 12-km (7-mile) route to the 1,200 rare tree, shrub and
Aquincum of the goddesses Epona and Tree of Life. Ticket office (for all events): Tel (1) 555 parti cularly in spring or early Hűvös Valley. As in the days herbaceous plant species Major Sights Historic buildings
Fortuna can also be seen. autumn. This is one of the only of the Soviet Young Pioneers since 1802. Most of the
Szentendrei út 135. Tel (81) 430 10 81. On the other side of the hév 33 00 or online. Open 10am–6pm places to see the endangered movement, the railway is staffed species have grown wild
£ Aquincum. @ 34, 42, 106. railway line, the remains of an 0 Budapest daily. 8 ∑ mupa.hu Museum of Centaurea sadleriana, a flower by children, apart from the adult in the abbey’s grounds.
Archeological park: Open Apr–Oct: amphi theatre are visible, where Holocaust Contemporary Art: Tel (1) 555 34 44. 4are dissected to reveal their
9am–6pm Tue–Sun; Nov–Mar: subject Memorial Centre Open 10am–8pm Tue–Sun. that resembles a cornflower but train drivers. At the top of János
to weather. Exhibitions: Open Apr– the town’s inhabitants once ∑ ludwigmuseum.hu with a much larger flower head. Hill stands the Erzsébet Look- Our Lady Chapel
Oct: 10am–6pm Tue–Sun; Nov–Mar: sought entertainment. Holokauszt Emlékközpont The reserve is also home to a Out Tower, designed by Frigyes On the far side of the abbey, Our Lady
10am–4pm Tue–Sun. 8 & Páva utca 39. Tel (1) 455 33 33. The Palace of Arts, located in the blue grass and a spider found Schulek in 1910. A chair lift Chapel has three Baroque altars and a tiny interiors; museums and galleries
∑ aquincum.hu 9 Jewish Cemetery q Ferenc körút. @ 4, 6, 30, 30A. Millennium City Centre on the Pest nowhere else in the world, as connects János Hill with organ. The abbey’s monks are buried here.
Zugligeti út and this is a good
side of the Danube, between
well as extra ordinary, colourful
∑ hdke.hu
The remains of the Roman town Zsidó temető Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun. Lágymányos Bridge and the butterflies and a rare lizard. way of making the descent. Detailed information All the
of Aquincum were excavated Kozma utca 6. @ 37. new National Theatre, brings have colour­coded floorplans to
at the end of the 19th century. This outstanding memorial together all the arts under one
Visitors today are free to stroll Next door to the Municipal centre is dedicated to the tens roof. Permanent residents in 3important sights in Budapest are
along its streets, viewing the Cemetery is the Jewish of thousands of Hungarians the palace include the Ludwig
outlines of temples, baths, Cemetery, opened in 1893. deported from the Budapest Museum of Con tem porary Art, help you find the most
shops and houses, in what was The many grand tombs here Ghetto to Auschwitz in the the Béla Bartók National Concert
once the centre of the town. are a vivid reminder of the latter stages of World War II. Hall, the Festival Theatre and the described individually. Practical
The civilian town of Aquincum, vigour and Housed in a former synagogue, National Dance Theatre.
capital of the Roman province success of the exhibition tells of the fate important exhibits.
of Pannonia Inferior, was founded Budapest’s suffered by Hungarian Jews, w Eagle Hill Nature
at the beginning of the 2nd prewar Gypsies and other victims. Reserve information includes a map Western Tower
century AD, a couple of decades Jewish The most moving part of Sas-hegy Természetvédelmi Terület Very much the abbey’s calling card,
after a legionary fortress had the memorial is the former and its most recognizable feature,
been established to its south. main prayer hall, given over Tájék utca 26. Tel (30) 477 67 20, (30) the Western Tower, added in 1832,
For centuries, it was the largest to the photos of members 408 43 70. @ 8, 8A. Open 10am–6pm reference, opening hours and . Porta Speciosa can be seen from far away.
city in central Europe. of the congregation who Tue, Fri–Sun & pub hols, or by Though now hemmed in by Main entrance
In the centre of the site a once worshipped here. arrangement. 8 compulsory. extensions to the com plex, the
museum is housed in a Neo- The 8-m- (24-ft-) high telephone numbers. The key to Porta Speciosa is an outstanding
Classical lapidarium displaying glass wall around the A nature reserve such as example of its kind – an
the most valuable Roman centre, designed by this that is close to the ornamental portal held in red The Benedictine Order
archaeological finds from the László Zsótér, is centre of a large city is a marble with rich wood carvings.
area. The items on display inscribed with the remark able phenomenon. the symbols used can be found The Order of St Benedict, oldest of the religious orders, was founded by
include weapons and various names of all Hun- Access to the summit of KEY Benedict of Nursia, who set up the first monastery at Monte Cassino, Italy, Story boxes highlight specific aspects
inscribed stone monuments. garians known to this steep, 266-m- (872-ft-) in 529. Benedict wanted to re-establish a sense of community in the
Only a fraction of the former have died in the high hill to the west of Gellért 1 The Benedictine Grammar turmoil after the collapse of the Roman Empire, and ever since commu-
town is open to visitors today, but Shoah. It allows Hill (see pp73) is strictly regulated on the back jacket flap. School was founded in 1802 and nity and hospitality have been the hallmarks of the Benedictines. relating to a top sight and explore these
Benedictine monks are known for living by their labour; Pannonhalma
it is nonetheless impressive with new names to be to protect the extremely rare is one of the finest in Hungary. The is no exception. The 40 monks who still live at the abbey oversee
its remarkable central heating added; the goal is animal and plant species found entrance exams are famously tough. . Library the production and sales of the wine (vineyards surround the
system based on hot air circu- one day to have a here. A smart residential quar ter 2 The Treasury is home to a rich The Neo-Classical library holds abbey), Benedic tine liqueur, honey, tea and lavender products.
lated under mosaic floors. A drain complete list of all of attractive bourgeois villas, collection of ecclesiastical art and 400,000 volu mes, including the in more depth.
cover is evidence that there who perished in which lies on the lower slope of historical artifacts. Tihany Manu script, the earliest A wine produced at Pannonhalma
was a good water supply and Schmidl family tomb at the Jewish Cemetery the Holocaust. Eagle Hill, extends almost to the The Erzsébet Look-Out Tower at the summit of János Hill, Buda Hills example of written Hungarian.
For hotels and restaurants see pp264–269 and pp276–285 For hotels and restaurants see pp264–269 and pp276–285
Ede Heinrich, The Coronation of Franz Joseph I on 8 June 1867
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