Welcome to Budapest, the Spa Capital of the World!!
From its stunning underground caves to its rich history, and cultural heritage, it offers fascinatingđ˛ facts for you to discover!
This article will offer some amazing facts about Budapest that will amaze đ˛you. Letâs begin this exciting journey đ!!
Fascinating Budapest Facts
Budapest: The twin capital of the Dual Monarchy
Twin Capital! đ˛Sounds quite interesting, right!?
From 1867 to 1918, the country of Hungary was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire!
When Buda, Pest, and Obuda unified in the year 1873, they became the empireâs co-capital alongside Vienna.
Thus, the name of the city Budapest includes the name of citiesđ that became united to create this beautiful Hungarian capital.
All three cities merged together and created the new metropolis of Budapest.
The city of Budapest: It is famous as the Queen of the Danube
Heard about the Queen of the Danube?? It is the city of Budapestđ!!
Some believe that Vienna deserves this interesting title.
However, the city of Budapest beats it in the category called The Greatest Variety of Styles.
Budapest can offer an excellent variety of styles đ˛because it has a unique food scene, rich history, and many more.
Budapest: Its population is actually dropping
I am quite curious about Budapest after knowing that its population is droppingđ˛! How about you?
In 1989, the population of the city was 2.2 million, but in 2022 it has become 1,775,207.
Budapest is the fifteenth-largest city in Europe by population within the city limits, and even the ninth-largest one in the European Union.
The largest known thermal cave system in the world: It is in Budapest
Have you heard about the largest thermal cave system in the worldđ˛?? Yes, it is in Budapest!
Underneath the streets of Buda lies the largest underwater thermal wave cave in the world, known as the Molnar Janos Cave.
From this cave, the curative water is pumped into the famous Lukacs Thermal Bath.
This subterranean region is home to around 200 interesting cavesđ˛ and 80 geothermal springs.
During drainage and quarrying groundwork, construction workers found these caves in the early 20th century.
There are eight gorgeous bridges: They connect the cities of Buda and Pest
Two cities connected by eight awesome bridges!??
Yes, it is true that Buda and Pest are connected by eight bridgesđ!!
In 1849, the first permanent bridge that spans the Danube River was erected.
Today, the Chain Bridgeđ is a very popular attraction.
People can walk from one side of the river to the other side in almost 20 minutes. Also, I must say that the views from the bridge are absolutely stunning.
The subway system of Budapest: It is the second-oldest in the world
Second oldest in the world!! Sounds quite interesting, right?
The cityâs Millennium Underground Railway, M1 or Metro 1, opened in 1896, as it was the year when Hungary celebrated its 1000th anniversary.
In the entire continent of Europe, it is the oldest electrified underground railway system.
The Budapest Metro is famous as the worldâs second-oldest underground after the London Underground.
Budapest City: It is home to hundreds of luxurious bath houses
Oh, a luxury bath!! How much I wish to enjoy one!!
The city of Budapest pumps the water that is rich in minerals from the thermal springs.
Among them, there are 123 in Budapest, into the well-known bathhouses.
Though the spa culture of Hungary dates back to Roman times, Budapestâs most stunning bathhouses were constructed during the 150 years of Ottoman rule.
It happened between the years 1541 and 1699.
Enjoying a Turkish bath is believed to have multiple curative effects and is one of the unmissable things to enjoy.
The Szechenyi Bridge: Explore this significant landmark in Budapest
If you love to explore beautiful bridges and their surroundings, just like me, then, you will surely love Budapest!!
The famous Szechenyi Bridge is one of the most iconic and recognizable landmarks in the city of Budapest.
It was the first permanent bridge đof Budapest over the Danube River.
Sculptor Janos Marschalko carved the lion statues that guard the two abutments.
The bridge is 375 meters in length and 16 meters in width, and the span between the pillars is about 202 meters.
The roadbed of the bridge hangs from iron chains; hence, it got its name the âChain Bridge.â
Budapest City: Enjoy one of the worldâs most stunning urban landscapes
Budapest is famous for offering us the worldâs most stunning urban landscapes!!
The view from the banks of the river Danube with the Buda Castle District and the Andrassy Avenue are famous as World Heritage Sites.
Even UNESCO praises it đ saying, âIt is one of the worldâs remarkable urban landscapes and even illustrates the great periods in the history of the capital city of Hungary.
Since the Palaeolithic period, that is 2.58 million years ago, this remarkable stretch of the River Danube has been the location of human settlement.
Moreover, it was the location of Aquincum, the famous Roman city.
Budapest City: It was not the first capital of Hungary
If you are a history buff like me, then you will surely love this secret!!
The capital city of Budapest was not the first capital of Hungary.
King Bela IV, King of Hungary and Croatia, made Buda capital in the middle of the 13th century.
Prior to that, the capital of Hungary was Esztergom.
The city is located 46 km north of Budapest and is the countryâs one of the oldest settlements.
The worldâs 3rd largest national assembly is located here
The Parliament Building of Hungary is the countryâs biggest buildingđ˛ and also famous as the top attraction of Budapest!!
More than 150 people continue to keep it in its top shape each day.
The building covers an area of about 18,000 square meters and even features an amazing collection of 28 entrances, 691 rooms, 10 courtyards, and 29 staircases.
The exterior building is a mixture of three architectural styles, đ such as Neo-Romantic, Neo-Gothic, and Neo-Baroque. All of these further increases its splendor.
No building in Hungary can rise over 314.9 ft or 96 meters
Have you heard of a place where no buildings can rise above 96 metersđ˛?? The answer is Hungary!!
No building in the country of Hungary can rise over 96 meters, and there is a strange reason for that!!
The regulation is associated with a symbolic number for Hungary!
In 896, the Hungarian Kingdom was founded by the Magyars.
Nowadays, two buildings rise above Budapestâs skyline at exactly 96 meters.
These are the famous St. Stephenâs Basilica and the Hungarian Parliament Building, representing religion and state, respectively.
Hippos at the zoo of Budapest love to bath in thermal waters
Oh, my godđ˛!! Hippos enjoying medicinal baths!!
Budapest is the place where you can enjoy đthis amazing scene.
The water in the city attracts not only humans but also hippos!!
Hippos swim at the Zoo of city comes from the Szechenyi Medicinal Bath. Recycled geothermal waters can also contribute to the fertility of the animals.
In 2012, a baby hippo was born, which was not usual for the species in captivity.
The water has a positive effect on these interesting creatures due to its composition being close to that of the Nile basin.
Here you can see the planetâs one of the most horrifying museums
Oh my god đľ! I am so sacred đ¨!!
Love to explore horrifying places?? letâs start!!
In Budapest, you can see one of the most horrifying museums đ¨on the planet, the House of Terror.
Here, you can see the sky through the open-cut letters.
Prior to it becoming a museum, the House of Terror served subsequently as a Soviet and a Nazi headquarters.
The violent regimes questioned, detained, tortured, and even killed many people inside this horrifying building.
The famous Szechenyi Medicinal Bath: It is in Budapest
Want to take a dip into the largest medicinal bath đ in Europe?? Letâs us enjoy a bath in the Szechenyi Medicinal Bath!!
Szechenyi Medicinal Bath is the largest and most popular medicinal bath đ in Budapest.
It is great for its healing and rejuvenating đ qualities.
It even has three gigantic and 15 indoor pools.
Two thermal springs with temperatures differing from 165 degrees Fahrenheit to 171 degrees Fahrenheit supply the water to the baths. Also, I must say that most of those baths are hundred years old.
It is home to an underground hospital
I am still terrified đľ!!
During the 1956 Revolution and World War II, a cave under Buda served as a military hospital and a bomb shelter.
In the year 2002, the government declassified the existence of the hospital.
However, the Hospital in the Rock remains frozen in time and even full of untold stories and full of mysteries.
The largest synagogue of continental Europe is situated in Budapest
The Great Synagogue was finished in the year 1859.
It is famous as worldâs the second-largest one, after the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem.
The Dohany Street Synagogue carries the style of the Moorish Revival and is inspired by Spainâs famous Alhambra Palace.
While, the second-largest synagogue of Europe is located in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Budapest : Explore the buildings that have holes in the walls
In Budapest, we will get to see many buildings with holesđ in the walls.
Those randomly scattered punctures are actually bullet holes.
They serve as the dark reminder of the cruel attacks from 1956 and the suppressed uprising against the regime of the communists.
Budapest: The most famous escape artist was born here
I love to enjoy some exhilarating stunts and illusions!! What about you??
Harry Houdini revolutionized the world of illusions and stunts.
Raised in Budapest, his work was historically important because he paved new roads in the word of imaginative entertainment and deception.
Budapest: The inventor of Rubikâs cube was born here
I love to play with the colors of the famous Rubik cube!! You too right??
Budapest City is the place where Erno Rubik was born.
Emo Rubik, an architect, inventor, and professor of architecture, who invented the famous cube in the year 1974.
Budapest City: Here you can see the north-most holy place of Islam
The Hungarian capital was home to a Turkish dervish called Gui Baba.
He came to Hungary in the 16th century during the Ottoman invasion.
In 1541, after his death, his tomb in Buda became a sacred place for Islam and also a site of pilgrimage.
Erected between 1543 and 1548, the chapel is one of the few remaining Turkish buildings in the city of Budapest.
Summing up
So, little knowledge hunters, now you know that Budapest is a city that takes pride in its natural beauty, attractive structures, and modern advancements.
From gorgeous and famous bridges to the exciting thermal cave systemđ, and one of the most horrifying museums, what in Budapest attracts you more?
Get back to us with your questions, and we would love to hear from you.
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