Sightseeing in Hungary

Pest

Dohány Street Synagogue

You may walk from Buda to Pest on the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, the oldest one of the 9 bridges spanning the Danube. It has become a sentimental symbol of Budapest. You can continue your walk along the Danube Corso, or along the main pedestrian street of old Pest, Váci utca. Elegant shops, fine cafés and restaurants offer a great variety of merchandise, food and drink. The Inner City Parish Church in Március 15 Square is the first church of the city. It has an exceptionally interesting interior.

Walking further, the Grand Market Hall is the right place to buy the 'Hungaricums'. This building earned architectural recognition. The Hungarian National Museum is the finest monument of Hungarian Classical architecture. It preserves the historical memories of the Hungarian people from ancient times to our own age.

One area that must be explored on foot is Erzsébet Town, the charming old Jewish quarter. The Byzantine-looking Dohány Street Synagogue with 3,000 seats, is Europe's largest synagogue and the world's second largest after New York's Temple Emanu-El. Its excellent acoustics also make it suitable for concerts. The Jewish Museum, set up in its courtyard, has one of the most outstanding Judaic collections of Central Europe. Wander through the courtyards connecting residential buildings, forming a protective cocoon for the quarter. Then stop for pastry or lunch at one of several kosher restaurants and cafés.

The most beautiful monuments of Hungarian Art Nouveau are the Museum of Applied Arts with its rich collection, the dwelling-houses of Szervita Square (Inner City) and the former Post Office Savings Bank (4 Hold Street).

The Parliament is the largest and most decorative building in the country. It has 10 courts, 29 decorative staircases, 27 gates and the first long distance district heating system in Europe. You will see the legendary crown jewels of King Stephen, which have a spectacular history, having been stolen or misappropriated at various times since the Middle Ages. After World War II, fleeing Hungarians brought them to the United States for safe-keeping. Former President Jimmy Carter returned them to Hungary in 1978.

The St. Stephen's [István] Basilica, a neo-Renaissance church, raised to the rank of basilica minor, possesses the largest bell in Hungary. The Chapel of the holy Right [Szent Jobb] contains a jealously guarded treasure, a relic of the first Hungarian king, St. Stephen. It is his right hand which has remained intact for 1000 years. The Basilica's tower balcony offers a wonderful panorama of the city.

Credits: Hungarian National Tourist Office gotohungary.com