You'll find that Budapest's unique blend of old and modern makes the city an architectural paradise. To appreciate Budapest's present appearance, 1896 is an important date to remember, as this was the 1000th anniversary of the arrival of the Magyars to Hungary. Many buildings in Budapest were commissioned to celebrate the millennium, such as the Underground Railway, Heroes' Square, Parliament Building, Liberty Bridge and the Museum of Fine Arts. Soak up the architectural sights of Budapest's Roman amphitheaters, Gothic-styled cathedrals, traditional Turkish baths, and so much more. For one-of-a-kind architecture themed guided tours check out UniqueBudapest's Art Nouveau, Eclectic and Culture Tour or join one of budapestUNDERGUIDE's Art Nouveau Tours.
Roman Architecture in Budapest
Amphitheater in Aquincum
Architecture in the Roman Empire was a social art, meant to benefit the community. Many innovations by the Romans were influenced by this purpose, and soon a new architectural style was born. Examples include roads, aqueducts, baths, basilicas and amphitheaters.
Where to find it in Budapest:
Roman City of Aquincum (Szentendrei út 139, Budapest 1031)
Gothic & Neo-Gothic in Budapest
Matthias Church
Gothic architecture saw the creation of soaring arches to draw the spirit of man up to heaven. Its characteristics include the pointed arch, the ribbed vault and the flying buttress. It is in the great churches, cathedrals, abbeys and in a number of civic buildings that the Gothic style was expressed most powerfully.
Where to find it in Budapest:
Matthias Church (Szentháromság tér 13, Budapest 1014)
Budapest Parliament (Kossuth tér 1, Budapest 1055)
Buda Castle Hill - the residential building of Uri utca 31
Renaissance & Neo-Renaissance in Budapest
Hungarian Academy of Sciences
The Renaissance style places emphasis on symmetry, proportion and geometry. It is a revival of certain elements used in ancient Greek and Roman architecture, first developed in Italy. One of the earliest places to be influenced by the Renaissance style of architecture was Hungary. The style appeared following the marriage of King Matthias Corvinus and Beatrix of Naples in 1476. Many Italian artists, craftsmen and masons came to Buda with the new queen.
Where to find it in Budapest:
Hungarian Academy of Sciences (Roosevelt tér, Pest, District 5)
Budapest Opera House (Andrássy út 22, Budapest 1061)
St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent István tér 1, Budapest 1051)
Ottoman (Turkish) Architecture in Budapest
Király Baths
During the Turkish occupation (1541-1686), multiple mosques and baths were built in Buda. These were great examples of Ottoman architecture, which was influenced by Iranian, and to a larger extent, Byzantine architecture as well as Islamic traditions. It's a mixture of the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
Where to find it in Budapest:
Király Baths (Fő utca 84, Budapest 1027)
Tomb of Gül Baba (Mecset utca 14, Budapest 1023)
Baroque & Neo-Baroque in Budapest
Széchenyi Baths
The Baroque style designated the dominant style of art in catholic countries from the 17th century to the 18th century. Baroque originated in Rome and its success was encouraged by the Roman Catholic Church. It fit the church's demands for an architectural style to communicate religious themes by appealing to the senses, often in dramatic ways. It also made a visible statement of the wealth and power of the Church. The emphasis was on colonnades, domes and the use of light-and-shade with qualities of richness, drama, vitality, movement, tension and emotional exuberance.
Where to find it in Budapest:
Széchenyi Baths (Állatkeri körút 11, Budapest 1146)
Royal Palace (Buda, Castle Hill, District 1)
Church of St. Anna (Batthyhány tér, Buda, District 1)
Classicism & Neo-Classicism in Budapest
Hungarian National Museum
Classicism puts emphasis on symmetry, proportion and geometry. The style is principally derived from the architecture of Ancient Rome, of which many examples remained.
Where to find it in Budapest:
Hungarian National Museum (Múzeum körút 14-16, Budapest 1088)
Sándor Palace (Buda, Castle Hill, District 1)
Romantic Style in Budapest
Vigadó
Romantic architecture stresses the aesthetic appearance. This is also the time of the Industrial Revolution and exploration on structure, such as the use of iron, begins.
Where to find it in Budapest:
Vigadó Concert Hall (Pest, Danube Promenade, District 5)
Budapest Western Railway Station (Váci út 1-3, Budapest 1062)
The Great Synagogue (Dohány utca 2, Budapest 1074)
Hungarian Art Nouveau
Hotel Gellért
Art Nouveau in Hungary is a blend of several architectural styles, with a focus on Hungary's eastern origins. One of the leading Art Nouveau architects, Ödön Lechner (1845–1914), was inspired by Indian and Syrian architecture as well as traditional Hungarian decorative designs. Nevertheless, the Vienna Secession, the German Jugendstil, and Art Nouveau from Belgium and France are all reflected in the buildings constructed at the turn of the 20th century.
Where to find it in Budapest:
Gellért Baths & Hotel Gellért (Kelenhegyi út 4, Budapest 1118)
Gresham Palace (Pest, Roosevelt tér, District 5)
Museum of Applied Arts (Üllői út 33-37, Budapest 1091)
Budapest Zoo (Pest, City Park, District 14)
Academy of Music (Liszt Ferenc tér 8, Budapest)
