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Parliament
The Parliament, built in Neo-Gothic style and located on the bank of the Danube, serves as the permanent seat of the National Assembly. The building complex, the biggest of its kind in Hungary, was erected between 1884 and 1904 on the plans of Imre Steindl. The building has 691 rooms, and it is 268 metres long and the dome 96 metres high. Since 2000, the Hungarian coronation symbols —St. Stephen’s crown, the sceptre, the orb and the Renaissance sword— have been on display in the Parliament.
Andrássy Avenue
Andrássy Avenue is a 2,310-metre boulevard lined with buildings in uniform architecture and linking the City Centre with the City Park. Andrássy Avenue, including the Millennium Underground Railway, running beneath the surface, as well as Heroes’ Square, located at is end, was recognized as a World Heritage Site in 2002. It accommodates the crème de la crème of Eclectic-style buildings in Budapest, among them a wealth of residential houses with wonderful and intimate inner courts, statues and foundations as well as the Opera House, built on the plans of Miklós Ybl.
The Heroes' Square
The Heroes’ square is one of the most visited sights of the
Hungarian capital; it is situated in front of the City Park, at the end
of the Andrássy Avenue, one of the most important streets of
Budapest, a World Heritage site.
The millennial monument was built in 1896 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the arrival of Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin. The monument consists of two semi-circles on the top of which the symbols of War and Peace, Work and Welfare, Knowledge and Glory can be seen. The niches are decorated by the statues of kings, governors and famous characters of the Hungarian history. At the foot of each statue a small relief depicts the most important moment of the life of the personality. In the middle of Heroes' square stands a 36 metres high Corinthian column with the statue of Archangel Gabriel on the top, the symbol of the Roman Catholic religion. At the pedestal the equestrian statues commemorate Árpád and the seven chieftains of the Hungarian tribes, who settled their people in the present territory of Hungary. His descendants formed the Hungarian royal dynasty.
The tomb of the Unknown Soldier can also be found in the square. At the two sides the representative buildings of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Art Gallery both worth a visit. Since the last couple of years, the two museums have been competing for the attention of visitors with high standard temporary exhibitions, such as Van Gogh, Rembrandt and the collections of Spanish and French paintings.
The City Park
Behind the monument of the Heroes' Square one of the largest green areas of Budapest can be found. It’s worth mentioning not just because of its hundred years old oak trees and relaxing pathways but some interesting buildings and important amusement places also hide there. In the Middle Ages there was a swamp in the area, which belonged to the Hungarian kings and was used as a hunting place. In the 18th century Queen Maria Theresia ordered the swamp to be canalized and trees to be planted. The territory witnessed a great development, when in 1896 it became the place of the celebration of the thousandth anniversary of the Hungarian conquest.
The Széchenyi thermal bath is one of the largest bath complexes in Europe. It was built in neo-baroque style between 1909 and 1913 and later enlarged. It consists of an indoor and an open-air part with several pools. Its water originates from the artesian springs of the City Park, which are 74 Celsius warm. The thermal water is effective in healing gynaelogical, dermatological and nerve problems. The Zoo is relatively small in comparison with other famous zoos in the world. What makes it interesting that it has an Art Nouveau style decoration and some parts are covered with Zsolnay tiles. It is the second oldest zoo in Europe. The Amusement Park and the Circus are also situated here, which contribute to the fact that the City Park is a beloved place to spend free time in Budapest. The lake of the city park makes the whole park a romantic spot. It is possible to row a boat on it when the weather is nice. During wintertime the lake is drained and serves as the biggest artificial ice rink of the city.
The Castle
After the Mongolian conquest in the 13th century, King Béla IV. ordered fortresses of stone to be built. The fortress of Buda was also founded at that time. The castle reached its golden age during the rule of the renaissance king, Matthias. He had it enlarged and transformed to a palace. Later, during the Turkish occupation of Hungary, it was under Turkish rule for over 150 years. Not even the Habsburgs cared much about it, as the empire was ruled from Vienna. During the Second World War it was badly damaged. The Palace was founded around 1247, but the royal seat was in Visegrád until the 15th century. It went under major reconstructions several times. Firstly, King Matthias converted the fortification to a palace, later Maria Theresa had it rebuilt and enlarged. In the 19th century the famous Hungarian architect Miklós Ybl got the commission to reconstruct it. From the original fittings unfortunately nothing was left. Today the buildings house the National Gallery, the National Library and the Historical Museum. From the panorama terrace there is a magnificent view of the Pest side. One way of getting to the palace is by the funicular next to the Tunnel, which has a 95 metres long, 48% steep track and offers one of the most astonishing panoramas in the World.
The Dísz tér is to be found on the northern side of the palace. It was the place of the market during the middle ages, the place where executions were performed too. Szentháromság tér (Holy Trinity square) is situated in front of the Matthias Church, it is the place, where all major streets of the castle district meet. In the middle of the Szentháromság tér a Holy Trinity column was erected to commemorate the plague epidemic in 1709. The first Town Hall of Buda faces the square, which was built after the end of the Turkish occupation. Off the beaten track in the smaller side streets one can still feel the atmosphere of old ages, you can see hidden courtyards, signs of the guilds, beautifully reconstructed citizen houses. A range of Amsterdam holiday apartments to rent in Central Amsterdam. Tóth Árpád sétány also worth a walk. The Castle district of Buda is part of the World Heritage since 1987.
The Fisherman's Bastion
On the top of the old fortress walls, the Fisherman’s bastion was only constructed between 1895-1902. It is named after the fishermen’s guild because according to customs in the Middle Ages this guild was in charge of defending this part of the castle wall. As a matter of fact it has never had a defending function. The architect was Frigyes Schulek, who planned the building in neo-gothic style. The seven towers symbolize the seven chieftains, who conquered the land for the Hungarians. The Fisherman’s bastion greatly contributes to the cityscape and offers a breathtaking panorama on the Pest side. In front of the Fisherman's bastion, the equestrian statue depicts our first king, St Stephen. The Matthias Church and the Fisherman's bastion are the most beloved sights of the Buda Castle District.
Matthias Church
The most beautiful and most well-known Catholic church in Budapest, which thanks to its outstanding location largely determines the image of the Castle District, as seen from the Pest side. Officially named as the Church of Our Lady, this royal cathedral was erected in multiple steps (between the 13th and 15th centuries). It gained its present-day neo-Gothic form in 1896, following a major reconstruction overseen by Frigyes Schulek. The frescos and stained-glass windows were made by Károly Lotz, Mihály Zichy and Bertalan Székely, the most prestigious artists of the time. From the rich collection of the church, the stone exhibition, the relic exhibition, the coronation monuments as well as the treasury boasting masterpieces of gold work as well as ecclesiastical textiles are open to the public.
The Gellért Hill and the Citadel
The Gellért hill received its name after St. Gellért who came to Hungary as a missionary bishop upon the invitation of King St. Stephen I. around 1000 a.d. His task was helping the Hungarians convert to Christianity. Some pagan leaders who did not want to convert captured St. Gellért and rolled him down from the hill in a barrel. The St. Gellért monument and its fountain representing his martyrdom can be found on the Northeastern slope of the hill facing the Elisabeth Bridge. The fortress of the Citadel was built by the Habsburgs in 1851 to demonstrate their control over the Hungarians. The top of the Gellért Hill is a strategical point from where they had an overview of both Buda and Pest. Though it was equipped with 60 cannons, it was used as threat rather than a working fortification. After the reconciliation with the Habsburgs the Hungarians wanted to demolish the buildings, but after all it did not happen. In the mid 20th century it was converted to a tourist center. From the panorama terraces one can have a stunning view of the city. By a short walk one can reach the Liberation Monument. The statue was erected in 1947 after the Second World War. The main figure is a woman, holding an olive branch, the symbol of peace in her hands. On both sides symbolic figures can be seen: the young man's victory over the dragon represents the defeat of fascism.
The Váci street and the very downtown
The Váci utca is the heart of the downtown. It is an elegant shopping street with several restaurants, bank offices, cafés, souvenir- and bookshops. The majority of the buildings were constructed at the turn of the 20th century but there are minor details that add to the special atmosphere. There are small hidden passages, cast iron balconies, art nouveau style decoration and Zsolnay ceramic tiles that make each building different and worth noting. At the north end of the Vörösmarty square the famous Gerbeaud café can be found. Street musicians, portrait drawers and folklore fairs make the square vivid. Parallel with the Váci street runs the Danube Promenade, from where one can have a beautiful view of the Buda castle and the Gellért Hill. Walking along the Danube one will pass by the Redout, built in romantic style and at the foot of the Chain bridge, the representative palace of the Hungarian Academy of Science worth mentioning. The Váci utca area is the "very downtown" of Budapest, in Váci utca there are usually more tourists than locals. Along the Danube promenade and close to Vörösmarty tér the most prominent hotels of the city can be found.
The Opera
The Opera House was opened in 1884 among great splendour in the presence of King Franz Joseph. The building was planned and constructed by Miklós Ybl, who won the tender among other famous contemporary architects. It was built in neo-renaissance style along the famous Andrássy Avenue. The facade is decorated with the statues of renowned composers and the Greek Goddesses of art. The statues of Erkel and Liszt by Alajos Stróbl decorate the niches next to the main entrance. Ferenc Erkel was the first director of the Opera House and the founder of the Hungarian opera. The inner decoration was designed to reflect elegance and pomp. Thus the staircase is covered with marble, the walls are decorated by the frescoes of illustrious Hungarian painters, the horse-shoe shaped audience hall is fitted with red and gold and the chandelier from Mainz also contributes to the elegant atmosphere. The construction took 9 years to be completed, but when finished, the Opera House of Budapest was the most modern one in Europe.
St. Stephen’s Basilica
St. Stephen’s Basilica, or Lipót City Parish Church, is one of the most significant ecclesiastical buildings of Hungary as well as a major tourist attraction of the capital. It serves as the main site of worship for St. Stephen. The Basilica is named after St. Stephen, the founder of the Kingdom of Hungary, whose incorruptible right hand, known as the Holy Right, is kept here as a relic. It is the largest church in Budapest, the dome of which can be seen from all parts of the city. The Classicist Basilica was built between 1851 and 1905. Famous masterpieces in the church include statues by Alajos Stróbl as well as a painting of St. Stephen offering his country to the Virgin Mary by Gyula Benczúr. The dome of the building offers a wonderful 360° view of the Budapest.
Chain Bridge (Lánchíd)
Built in 1839-49 this was the city's first permanent river crossing. Today the outline of the Chain Bridge is one of the most commonly used symbols of Budapest.
The idea of constructing a permanent bridge across the Danube in Budapest was developed by Hungary's great 19C reformer, Count István Széchenyi. In 1820 bad weather forced him to wait eight days before he could cross the river by ferry to attend his father's funeral.
A great Anglophile, he commissioned William Tierney Clark, an Englishman, to design the bridge, and the Scottish engineer Adam Clark (no relation) was brought to Hungary to supervise the construction. The bridge was opened on 21 November 1849, and at 380m it was one of the largest suspension bridges at the time. The similarity with London's Hammersmith Bridge is not coincidental- Tierney Clark designed that one, too, and it was the basis of his plans for the Chain Bridge.
The bridge was reconstructed after both world wars.Legend has it that the lion statues at either end of the bridge have no tongues, for the shame of which the sculptor drowned himself in the river. Others say if you look closely you can find them... Well, find out for yourself!
Vajdahunyad Castle.
Vajdahunyad Castle was built between I896 and 1908 its various parts illustrate the different styles of Hungarian architecture. It was designed by Ignác Alpár, and derived its name from the wing facing the lake, which is an imitation of the Castle of Vajdahunyad in Transylvania, the family castle of János Hunyadi, the hero of the Turkish wars, which was built in its present form in the fifteenth century (today Hunedoara, Rumania). A Gothic gate leads to the courtyard. To the left are Romanesque buildings; the chapel uses motifs of the famous thirteenth-century Benedictine abbey at Ják in Western Hungary, the most beautiful surviving relic of Romanesque architecture in the country. The chapel is flanked by a pseudo-medieval ambulatory with a corner turret. The buildings facing the lake are imitations of a castle-wall and a feudal castle. On the opposite side, the outstanding structure among the Gothic group of buildings is the copy of the castle-tower of Segesvár in Transylvania (now Sighisoară, Rumania). Inside there is a Gothic courtyard with some early Renaissance elements.
The largest façade facing the courtyard was built in Baroque style. Opposite is the statue of Anonymus, his face hidden in his monk's hood symbolising the fact that the identity of the thirteenth-century chronicler is unknown-even today we do not know much more about him than that he worked at the royal court. His work "Gesta Hungarorum", written in Latin and based on earlier chronicles now lost, contains the Hunnish-Hungarian cycle of legends as well as the history of the Magyar Conquest and of the first kings of the House of Árpád.
The Parliament, built in Neo-Gothic style and located on the bank of the Danube, serves as the permanent seat of the National Assembly. The building complex, the biggest of its kind in Hungary, was erected between 1884 and 1904 on the plans of Imre Steindl. The building has 691 rooms, and it is 268 metres long and the dome 96 metres high. Since 2000, the Hungarian coronation symbols —St. Stephen’s crown, the sceptre, the orb and the Renaissance sword— have been on display in the Parliament.
Andrássy Avenue
Andrássy Avenue is a 2,310-metre boulevard lined with buildings in uniform architecture and linking the City Centre with the City Park. Andrássy Avenue, including the Millennium Underground Railway, running beneath the surface, as well as Heroes’ Square, located at is end, was recognized as a World Heritage Site in 2002. It accommodates the crème de la crème of Eclectic-style buildings in Budapest, among them a wealth of residential houses with wonderful and intimate inner courts, statues and foundations as well as the Opera House, built on the plans of Miklós Ybl.
The Heroes' Square
The Heroes’ square is one of the most visited sights of the
Hungarian capital; it is situated in front of the City Park, at the end
of the Andrássy Avenue, one of the most important streets of
Budapest, a World Heritage site.
The millennial monument was built in 1896 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the arrival of Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin. The monument consists of two semi-circles on the top of which the symbols of War and Peace, Work and Welfare, Knowledge and Glory can be seen. The niches are decorated by the statues of kings, governors and famous characters of the Hungarian history. At the foot of each statue a small relief depicts the most important moment of the life of the personality. In the middle of Heroes' square stands a 36 metres high Corinthian column with the statue of Archangel Gabriel on the top, the symbol of the Roman Catholic religion. At the pedestal the equestrian statues commemorate Árpád and the seven chieftains of the Hungarian tribes, who settled their people in the present territory of Hungary. His descendants formed the Hungarian royal dynasty.
The tomb of the Unknown Soldier can also be found in the square. At the two sides the representative buildings of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Art Gallery both worth a visit. Since the last couple of years, the two museums have been competing for the attention of visitors with high standard temporary exhibitions, such as Van Gogh, Rembrandt and the collections of Spanish and French paintings.
The City Park
Behind the monument of the Heroes' Square one of the largest green areas of Budapest can be found. It’s worth mentioning not just because of its hundred years old oak trees and relaxing pathways but some interesting buildings and important amusement places also hide there. In the Middle Ages there was a swamp in the area, which belonged to the Hungarian kings and was used as a hunting place. In the 18th century Queen Maria Theresia ordered the swamp to be canalized and trees to be planted. The territory witnessed a great development, when in 1896 it became the place of the celebration of the thousandth anniversary of the Hungarian conquest.
The Széchenyi thermal bath is one of the largest bath complexes in Europe. It was built in neo-baroque style between 1909 and 1913 and later enlarged. It consists of an indoor and an open-air part with several pools. Its water originates from the artesian springs of the City Park, which are 74 Celsius warm. The thermal water is effective in healing gynaelogical, dermatological and nerve problems. The Zoo is relatively small in comparison with other famous zoos in the world. What makes it interesting that it has an Art Nouveau style decoration and some parts are covered with Zsolnay tiles. It is the second oldest zoo in Europe. The Amusement Park and the Circus are also situated here, which contribute to the fact that the City Park is a beloved place to spend free time in Budapest. The lake of the city park makes the whole park a romantic spot. It is possible to row a boat on it when the weather is nice. During wintertime the lake is drained and serves as the biggest artificial ice rink of the city.
The Castle
After the Mongolian conquest in the 13th century, King Béla IV. ordered fortresses of stone to be built. The fortress of Buda was also founded at that time. The castle reached its golden age during the rule of the renaissance king, Matthias. He had it enlarged and transformed to a palace. Later, during the Turkish occupation of Hungary, it was under Turkish rule for over 150 years. Not even the Habsburgs cared much about it, as the empire was ruled from Vienna. During the Second World War it was badly damaged. The Palace was founded around 1247, but the royal seat was in Visegrád until the 15th century. It went under major reconstructions several times. Firstly, King Matthias converted the fortification to a palace, later Maria Theresa had it rebuilt and enlarged. In the 19th century the famous Hungarian architect Miklós Ybl got the commission to reconstruct it. From the original fittings unfortunately nothing was left. Today the buildings house the National Gallery, the National Library and the Historical Museum. From the panorama terrace there is a magnificent view of the Pest side. One way of getting to the palace is by the funicular next to the Tunnel, which has a 95 metres long, 48% steep track and offers one of the most astonishing panoramas in the World.
The Dísz tér is to be found on the northern side of the palace. It was the place of the market during the middle ages, the place where executions were performed too. Szentháromság tér (Holy Trinity square) is situated in front of the Matthias Church, it is the place, where all major streets of the castle district meet. In the middle of the Szentháromság tér a Holy Trinity column was erected to commemorate the plague epidemic in 1709. The first Town Hall of Buda faces the square, which was built after the end of the Turkish occupation. Off the beaten track in the smaller side streets one can still feel the atmosphere of old ages, you can see hidden courtyards, signs of the guilds, beautifully reconstructed citizen houses. A range of Amsterdam holiday apartments to rent in Central Amsterdam. Tóth Árpád sétány also worth a walk. The Castle district of Buda is part of the World Heritage since 1987.
The Fisherman's Bastion
On the top of the old fortress walls, the Fisherman’s bastion was only constructed between 1895-1902. It is named after the fishermen’s guild because according to customs in the Middle Ages this guild was in charge of defending this part of the castle wall. As a matter of fact it has never had a defending function. The architect was Frigyes Schulek, who planned the building in neo-gothic style. The seven towers symbolize the seven chieftains, who conquered the land for the Hungarians. The Fisherman’s bastion greatly contributes to the cityscape and offers a breathtaking panorama on the Pest side. In front of the Fisherman's bastion, the equestrian statue depicts our first king, St Stephen. The Matthias Church and the Fisherman's bastion are the most beloved sights of the Buda Castle District.
Matthias Church
The most beautiful and most well-known Catholic church in Budapest, which thanks to its outstanding location largely determines the image of the Castle District, as seen from the Pest side. Officially named as the Church of Our Lady, this royal cathedral was erected in multiple steps (between the 13th and 15th centuries). It gained its present-day neo-Gothic form in 1896, following a major reconstruction overseen by Frigyes Schulek. The frescos and stained-glass windows were made by Károly Lotz, Mihály Zichy and Bertalan Székely, the most prestigious artists of the time. From the rich collection of the church, the stone exhibition, the relic exhibition, the coronation monuments as well as the treasury boasting masterpieces of gold work as well as ecclesiastical textiles are open to the public.
The Gellért Hill and the Citadel
The Gellért hill received its name after St. Gellért who came to Hungary as a missionary bishop upon the invitation of King St. Stephen I. around 1000 a.d. His task was helping the Hungarians convert to Christianity. Some pagan leaders who did not want to convert captured St. Gellért and rolled him down from the hill in a barrel. The St. Gellért monument and its fountain representing his martyrdom can be found on the Northeastern slope of the hill facing the Elisabeth Bridge. The fortress of the Citadel was built by the Habsburgs in 1851 to demonstrate their control over the Hungarians. The top of the Gellért Hill is a strategical point from where they had an overview of both Buda and Pest. Though it was equipped with 60 cannons, it was used as threat rather than a working fortification. After the reconciliation with the Habsburgs the Hungarians wanted to demolish the buildings, but after all it did not happen. In the mid 20th century it was converted to a tourist center. From the panorama terraces one can have a stunning view of the city. By a short walk one can reach the Liberation Monument. The statue was erected in 1947 after the Second World War. The main figure is a woman, holding an olive branch, the symbol of peace in her hands. On both sides symbolic figures can be seen: the young man's victory over the dragon represents the defeat of fascism.
The Váci street and the very downtown
The Váci utca is the heart of the downtown. It is an elegant shopping street with several restaurants, bank offices, cafés, souvenir- and bookshops. The majority of the buildings were constructed at the turn of the 20th century but there are minor details that add to the special atmosphere. There are small hidden passages, cast iron balconies, art nouveau style decoration and Zsolnay ceramic tiles that make each building different and worth noting. At the north end of the Vörösmarty square the famous Gerbeaud café can be found. Street musicians, portrait drawers and folklore fairs make the square vivid. Parallel with the Váci street runs the Danube Promenade, from where one can have a beautiful view of the Buda castle and the Gellért Hill. Walking along the Danube one will pass by the Redout, built in romantic style and at the foot of the Chain bridge, the representative palace of the Hungarian Academy of Science worth mentioning. The Váci utca area is the "very downtown" of Budapest, in Váci utca there are usually more tourists than locals. Along the Danube promenade and close to Vörösmarty tér the most prominent hotels of the city can be found.
The Opera
The Opera House was opened in 1884 among great splendour in the presence of King Franz Joseph. The building was planned and constructed by Miklós Ybl, who won the tender among other famous contemporary architects. It was built in neo-renaissance style along the famous Andrássy Avenue. The facade is decorated with the statues of renowned composers and the Greek Goddesses of art. The statues of Erkel and Liszt by Alajos Stróbl decorate the niches next to the main entrance. Ferenc Erkel was the first director of the Opera House and the founder of the Hungarian opera. The inner decoration was designed to reflect elegance and pomp. Thus the staircase is covered with marble, the walls are decorated by the frescoes of illustrious Hungarian painters, the horse-shoe shaped audience hall is fitted with red and gold and the chandelier from Mainz also contributes to the elegant atmosphere. The construction took 9 years to be completed, but when finished, the Opera House of Budapest was the most modern one in Europe.
St. Stephen’s Basilica
St. Stephen’s Basilica, or Lipót City Parish Church, is one of the most significant ecclesiastical buildings of Hungary as well as a major tourist attraction of the capital. It serves as the main site of worship for St. Stephen. The Basilica is named after St. Stephen, the founder of the Kingdom of Hungary, whose incorruptible right hand, known as the Holy Right, is kept here as a relic. It is the largest church in Budapest, the dome of which can be seen from all parts of the city. The Classicist Basilica was built between 1851 and 1905. Famous masterpieces in the church include statues by Alajos Stróbl as well as a painting of St. Stephen offering his country to the Virgin Mary by Gyula Benczúr. The dome of the building offers a wonderful 360° view of the Budapest.
Chain Bridge (Lánchíd)
Built in 1839-49 this was the city's first permanent river crossing. Today the outline of the Chain Bridge is one of the most commonly used symbols of Budapest.
The idea of constructing a permanent bridge across the Danube in Budapest was developed by Hungary's great 19C reformer, Count István Széchenyi. In 1820 bad weather forced him to wait eight days before he could cross the river by ferry to attend his father's funeral.
A great Anglophile, he commissioned William Tierney Clark, an Englishman, to design the bridge, and the Scottish engineer Adam Clark (no relation) was brought to Hungary to supervise the construction. The bridge was opened on 21 November 1849, and at 380m it was one of the largest suspension bridges at the time. The similarity with London's Hammersmith Bridge is not coincidental- Tierney Clark designed that one, too, and it was the basis of his plans for the Chain Bridge.
The bridge was reconstructed after both world wars.Legend has it that the lion statues at either end of the bridge have no tongues, for the shame of which the sculptor drowned himself in the river. Others say if you look closely you can find them... Well, find out for yourself!
Vajdahunyad Castle.
Vajdahunyad Castle was built between I896 and 1908 its various parts illustrate the different styles of Hungarian architecture. It was designed by Ignác Alpár, and derived its name from the wing facing the lake, which is an imitation of the Castle of Vajdahunyad in Transylvania, the family castle of János Hunyadi, the hero of the Turkish wars, which was built in its present form in the fifteenth century (today Hunedoara, Rumania). A Gothic gate leads to the courtyard. To the left are Romanesque buildings; the chapel uses motifs of the famous thirteenth-century Benedictine abbey at Ják in Western Hungary, the most beautiful surviving relic of Romanesque architecture in the country. The chapel is flanked by a pseudo-medieval ambulatory with a corner turret. The buildings facing the lake are imitations of a castle-wall and a feudal castle. On the opposite side, the outstanding structure among the Gothic group of buildings is the copy of the castle-tower of Segesvár in Transylvania (now Sighisoară, Rumania). Inside there is a Gothic courtyard with some early Renaissance elements.
The largest façade facing the courtyard was built in Baroque style. Opposite is the statue of Anonymus, his face hidden in his monk's hood symbolising the fact that the identity of the thirteenth-century chronicler is unknown-even today we do not know much more about him than that he worked at the royal court. His work "Gesta Hungarorum", written in Latin and based on earlier chronicles now lost, contains the Hunnish-Hungarian cycle of legends as well as the history of the Magyar Conquest and of the first kings of the House of Árpád.