Embark on a 3-hour, small group tour of Castle Hill, the oldest part of Budapest. In the company of a historian, explore Buda’s Castle and the surrounding district of narrow and cobbled streets full of baroque and Gothic facades of historic villas and churches as well as the remains of a synagogue from the middle ages.
Two buildings stand out on Castle Hill, the oldest part of Budapest, known for its narrow and cobbled streets and its baroque and Gothic facades: the massive and imposing palace on the southern tip of the hill and the colored roof of Matthias Church in the middle, with its rank steeple pointing towards the heavens.
We start our tour at the palace, the ancient seat of royal power. It was rebuilt, extended, changed, burned down and rebuilt again several times over and it got its current eclectic appearances only after World War II. The first to build on Castle Hill was King Béla IV. He erected a fortress on this spot around 1250 after a devastating invasion by Mongolian hordes. In the Renaissance period, King Matthias made it into the most famous court in Europe at the end of the 15th century. Then came the Turkish pashas who ruled the country for over 150 years, followed by a succession of Hapsburg emperors.
Discuss the changing function of the building throughout its history.
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Entrance Fees not included: • Castle Tickets: Adults: 2000 FT (approx. $7.21 USD), Students & Seniors: 1000 FT (approx. $3.61 USD) • Matthias Church: Adults: 1500 FT (approx. $5.41 USD), Students and Seniors: 1000FT (approx. $3.61 USD) • Fisherman Bastion: Adults: 1000 FT (approx. $3.60 USD), Students and Seniors: 500FT (approx. $1.80 USD)