Heroes square
Heroes's Square, Budapest
Right at the end of the Andrassy avenue is the largest and most magnificent square of Budapest, Hosok (heroes) tere. The square was built for the Millenium Celebrations of 1896, celebrating the 1000 years of Hungarian history. In the centre of the square, on a pillar stands Gabriel Archangel; according to the legend, he brought the crown to the first Hungarian king, Saint Stephen (Szent Istvan), who in turn established the state of Hungary. Surrounding the pillar are the statues of the seven chiefs of tribes, lead by Arpad the Chieftain , the first settlers known from the story of the Settlement of the Magyars in Hungary. As if embracing this main statue structure from behind, in two semi-circles you can find statues of other significant personalities of Hungarian history, from Szent Istvan all the way to other important characters of the 19th Century. Also situated on this square is the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and on the left and right respectively are the monumental buildings of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Art Gallery.
How to get there?
By underground M1 (the yellow line), you can take on to yellow line at deak ferenc square
St. Stepehens Cathedral Budapest
Saint Stephens Cathedral
The capital's largest and most magnificent temple can be found in the heart of the city, with its dome rising above the roofs of Pest. Its building began in 1851 by Joseph Hild. In 1868, after his death, the dome structure collapsed due to improper foundation works. The building process and the interior design was completed under the direction of Joseph Kauser in 1905. The cathedral's sizes are incomparable to any other in the city: its length is 86 m, largest width is 55 m, covering an area of 4147 m2 with a height of the dome being 96 m (exactly as the height of the dome of the Parliament). It was built in neo-renaissance style. In its right tower we may find the country's largest bell, weighing 9 tons. The St. Lipot Chapel of the basilica holds the relic of King St. Stephen, his Saint Right Hand since 1971, which is taken around downtown in a procession dedicated to the celebration of the State of Hungary's Foundation (or St. Stephen) Celebrations Day on the 20th of August each year. Concerts are frequently organized here. (Caution: during the winter months it is rather cold inside!)
How to get there?
The easiest way by the blue underground line, take off at Arany Janos utca.
City Park Budapest
City park budapest
It was the city's first big public park. It is pleasant to lay down under its enormous trees, or play on its great fields. There are numerous sport fields and bike routes on its grounds. Also located here is Pest's very first thermal bath, the Szechenyi Bath. Its healing thermal water and extraordinary beauty draws bathing enthusiasts from great distances and faraway lands. Close to the spa, behind the Heroes' square is the boating (rowing) lake, and Central Europe's largest ice-skating rink as well. Beside the City Park lake is the Vajdahunyad Castle built for the Millenium celebrations, portraying the famous Hungarian historic locations. The Budapest Zoo (Budapesti Allatkert) is also part of the City Park. Beside it you can find the one and only permanent circus of Budapest, as well as the Amusement Park equipped with both old and high-tech features beside giving home to the unique wooden roller-coaster ride. Lovers of rock music can visit the Petofi Csarnok that heavily resembles the atmosphere of the 80s and gives room to the largest flea market in Budapest on the weekends.
Budapest Zoo also here at the CityPark.
Opera house budapest
The Opera House
Designed by Miklos Ybl to commemorate the Hungarian millennium celebrations, Budapest's magnificent State Opera House was completed in 1884. Regarded as one of the most important historical buildings in Hungary, its elegantly styled neo-Renaissance proportions fit in perfectly with neighbouring buildings on Andrassy ave.
The facade of the building is decorated with statues of 16 of the worlds greatest composers including Monteverdi, Mozart, Beethoven, Verdi, Bizet and Tchaikovsky. There are also representations of the muses of opera, together with sculptures of Franz Liszt and Ferenc Erkel (the composer of the Hungarian national anthem and director of the opera house when it opened in 1884) at ground level. The interior of the building is equally lavish. Karoly Lotzs frescoed ceiling in the main auditorium, which depicts 'Olympus, home of the Gods' is particularly breathtaking. What's more, over seven kilograms of gold were used to decorate the horseshoe shaped auditorium, which seats over 1200 people.
Info
22rd Andrassy ave Box office opens: 10am 7pm daily, Guided Tours 3pm and 4pm daily, Website, Access by M1 underground, Opera station
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