History of Budapest

The city is divided into two parts by the Danube River.  From the numerous viewpoints on the hills of Buda on the western bank, there are spectacular views of the urban sprawl of Pest on the eastern side of the river. At the end of the 20th century, Hungary celebrated the 1,000th anniversary of its statehood. This 1,000-year period was characterised by frequent and at times violent change for Hungary and central Europe, but the distinctive charms of Hungary have not been lost.

Magyar foundations

In the 9th century, the great Magyar chief Árpád established the beginnings of what later became known as the Hungarian state. He settled in the Carpathian basin and led the inhabitants from their roots in paganism toward Christianity. In the year 1000 AD, on Christmas Day, the state of Hungary was born, as Árpád's great grandson, Stephen, was crowned king and recognised by Rome’s Pope Sylvester II.

The two Golden Ages

The country increasingly looked to the west during the House of Árpád’s 300-year reign. With the House of Anjou came expansion into Poland, towards Dalmatia and Hungary’s first ‘Golden Age’, with the flowering of artistic and architectural endeavours. After the death of King Matthias, the state came under the oppressive rule of the Ottomans for 150 years during the 16th and 17th centuries. Eventually, the Habsburgs helped drive out the Turks and brought with them a period of stability and reconstruction.

By the mid-19th century, the Habsburg Empire had failed and the result was a dual monarchy combining Austria and Hungary. Two capitals and two parliaments were at the core of this new empire.  This new age sparked a rebirth of economic, cultural and artistic pursuits, and the beginning of the second ‘Golden Age.’

The turbulent 20th century

At the beginning of the 20th century, Budapest was considered the birthplace of the modern world. Not long after this however, it was partitioned and reduced to approximately one-third of its original size during WWI.  As a result, millions of Hungarians were faced with living outside of their own country.

Budapest was severely bombed in WWII, leading to the destruction of its glorious buildings and bridges (which were subsequently rebuilt or restored). The Soviet Union intervened after WWII, as central and Eastern Europe saw the lowering of the iron curtain. In 1956, the inhabitants staged an uprising that was crushed by the occupiers, and many of the city’s buildings are still riddled with bullet holes from that time.

A new Renaissance

Modern Hungary is experiencing yet another Renaissance and today, Budapest clearly has much in common with other European capitals, having joined the EU in 2004. The city’s rich and often tragic past is still evident, however. Budapest offers a smiling and dynamic face that combines a tendency for nostalgia and old-fashioned propriety. As a visitor, you will find constant reminders of a past that has largely vanished in other parts of Europe, in customs and traditions such as hand-kissing and presenting flowers when visiting friends’ homes.
 
With the change to a system of parliamentary democracy in 1990, the country has witnessed rapid change. Considerable foreign investment, combined with greater choices in goods and services, has made daily life easier for the people of Budapest, yet at the same time the city has managed to retain its uniqueness. When you visit its many restored historic attractions, particularly in Buda, you will gain a sense of the city’s commitment to preserving its history and sharing it with its many visitors.