BUDAPEST

Aquincum was an ancient city situated on the north eastern borders of the Pannonia province within the Roman Empire which stood where Budapest stands today and served as an important military base in the ancient Roman Empire. These 2000 year old ruins are remains of the Roman town of Aquincum and include an impressive ruin of the amphitheatre, a reconstructed water organ and a scenic painting showing what and how the Roman nobility ate. The visible ruins of the Aquincum civil town represent the excavated one third of the central settlement. The structure was greatly influenced by both the area's natural geography and its previous architectural history. 
 

The Hungarian National Museum established in 1957 as the national art museum is located in Buda Castle in Budapest. Its collections cover Hungarian art in all genres including the works of many 19th and 20th century Hungarian artists who worked in Paris and other locations in the West. The museum is the largest public collection documenting and presenting the rise and development of the fine arts in Hungary. Permanent exhibitions of the museum include Hungarian Coronation Insignia, history of Hungary from 1000 to the 20th century. The building designed as a museum was built in 1847 and is kept in very good condition. Among exhibits of the museum are crockery, musical instruments, clothing, arms, jewellery, etc. 
 

The St. Stephen's Basilica is one of the most stunning buildings in Budapest with its amazing architecture and interior. The building is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the city. Located in the city centre it is situated on St. Stephen Street which is a great place to experience nightlife or to have a coffee or dinner during daytime. The Basilica is named after Saint Stephen I of Hungary and is considered as the most important church building in Hungary. This Roman Catholic Basilica is one of the most significant tourist attractions in Budapest. The building is 96 mts high which is exactly the size of the Budapest Parliament and the maximum size a building in Hungary is allowed to be which symbolizes the balance of democracy and the church in Hungary.
 

During the visit in Budapest Memento Park tourists will have a fairly good impression what life was like in Hungary during the communist regime. The park is located in about 10 kms from the city centre Budapest. It collects statues and monuments removed from the streets and public places after the end of Soviet system. There are about 40 statues of Lenin, Marx, Engels, and several Hungarian Communists. The whole park offers an exciting experience of travelling back in time. It is a historical theme park with its different sights and sections which are the Statue Park, photo exhibition and film showing. 
 

Tourists can find everything on a trip to City Park. Within a short walk one can find beautiful lakes, museums, a great thermal spa, a zoo, an amusement park, and the highlight of the park a giant castle.  Originally the entire park was just a huge meadow for oxen for about 500 years until Habsburg ruler Maria Theresa had a ton of trees planted to make it into a wooded getaway in 1700 AD.  Then in 1800 AD Maria Theresa’s getaway was turned into a public park and is considered the oldest public park in the World.
 

The Citadella in Budapest stands on top of Gellert Hill on Buda side at the end of Elisabeth Bridge. The famous statue overseeing the city is holding a palm leaf in her hands, which originally used to be a propeller blade honouring Miklos Horthy. The fortress on which the statue is standing has been built up in 1848 shortly after the Hungarian revolution and it has been possessed by the state in late 19th century. Since then it mainly serves as a tourist destination, including museums, restaurants, cafes and even a club which are located in the U shaped 220 mts long and 60 mts wide building. The citadel was designed this way by the Hapsburg monarchy to military purposes in order to repel rebels’ attempts after 1848.