Liberation Monument (Felszabadulási
emlékmű)
 XI. Gellérthegy, Bus 27, Website: www.citadella.hu
A short walk from the Citadel is the 14-metre high liberation monument commissioned by
Admiral Horthy, Hungary's pre-war and World War II dictator. Zigmond Kisfaludy-Strobl's
original design, which featured a female figure holding an aircraft propeller, was
commissioned after the death of Horthy's son István who was killed in a plane crash
during World War II. It's said that when the Red Army arrived in 1945, a palm replaced the
propeller and the monument came instead to symbolise liberation from Fascist rule. In
truth, the Russian version of the monument is a different design by the same sculptor.
Ironically, the statue of the Red Army soldier that stood guard at the foot of the
monument has been unceremoniously carted off to Statue Park on the outskirts of the city.
Mary Magdelene Tower (Mária Magdolna Torony)
 I. Országház utca/Kapisztrán
tér, Metro: M2 Moszkva tér, Várbusz (Castle Bus)
Today, all that remains of the 13th-century Franciscan church which once stood here is the
Mary Magdelene Tower. Both the chancel and nave of the church were destroyed during allied
bombing raids in World War II and although the tower itself is largely a post-war
reconstruction, the building has a rich turbulent history. For a short time, under Turkish
occupation, it continued to hold Christian services, with Protestants using the nave and
Catholics the chancel. Eventually, it too was converted into a mosque, although following
the expulsion of the Turks in 1686 it reverted back to a church in which Franz I was
crowned here in 1872. Later on it served as the garrison church for men stationed at the
neighbouring army barracks.
Margaret Island (Margitsziget)
 The 1½ mile
long Margaret Island (Show Map),
which is connected to both Buda and Pest by the Margaret and Árpád Bridges, is one of
the most beautiful open spaces in the city. Visitors wanting to take time out from the
noise and bustle of Pest will enjoy the serenity of the island's park, which was
established over one hundred years ago (1869). The island was named after the daughter of
King Bela IV (1235-1270) who lived in a Dominican convent here during the 13th century.
The ruins of the convent can still be seen today on the island's east bank.
Heading south from Árpád híd along the Pest side of
the island, you'll find two spa hotels situated in close proximity to each other (they are
actually linked by an underground tunnel). The first is Miklós Ybl's attractively
designed
Grand Hotel which
shares its facilities with the relatively modern
Thermal
Hotel. A short distance away is the island's distinctive and colourful rock
garden, which leads on to Szent Mihály templom, a 20th-century reconstruction of a
12th-century church.
There are two public baths on the island - the first
being the sprawling Palatinus
strand, which can hold up to 20,000 people in the summer (with both cold/warm water
pools and an artificial wave maker). The smaller Hajós baths to the south is named after
Hungary's first Olympic gold medallist in swimming.
The Matthias Church (Mátyás
Templom)
 I.
Szentháromság tér 2, Varbusz, Open daily 9am-5pm, Website: www.matyas-templom.hu
At the very heart of Buda's Castle District is the Mátyás Templom. Officially named as
the Church of Our Lady, it has been popularly named after King Matthias Corvinus (Good
King Mátyás) who ordered the construction of its original southern tower. In many
respects, the 700 year history of the church serves as a symbol (or perhaps a reminder for
Hungarians) of the city's rich, yet often tragic history. Not only was the church the
scene of several coronations, including that of Charles IV in 1916 (the last Habsburg
king), it was also the site for King Mátyás' two weddings (the first to Catherine of
Podiebrad and, after her death, to Beatrice of Aragon).
Any Hungarian historian of note will tell you that the darkest period in the
church's history was the century and a half of Turkish occupation. The vast majority of its
ecclesiastical treasures were shipped off to Pozsony (Bratislava) and following the capture of Buda
in 1541 the church spent life as the city's main mosque. To add insult to injury, ornate frescoes
that previously ordained the walls of the building were whitewashed and interior furnishings
stripped out.
Although following Turkish expulsion in 1686 an attempt was made to restore
the church in the Baroque style, historical evidence shows that the work was largely
unsatisfactory. It was not until the great architectural boom towards the end of the 19th century
that the building regained much of its former splendour. The architect responsible for this work
was Frigyes Schulek.
 Not only was the church restored to its original 13th century plan but a
number of early original Gothic elements were uncovered. By also adding new motifs of his own (such
as the diamond pattern roof tiles and gargoyles laden spire) Schulek ensured that the work, when
finished, would be highly controversial. Today however, Schulek's restoration provides visitors
with one of the most prominent and characteristic features of Budapest's cityscape.
Inside, visitors tend to head straight for the Ecclesiastical Art museum which
begins in the medieval crypt and leads up to the St. Stephen Chapel. The gallery contains a number
of sacred relics and medieval stone carvings, along with replicas of the Hungarian royal crown and
coronation jewels.
Millennium Park (Incorporating the Future House
and Palace of
Miracles)
 II. Kis Rókus u. 16-20, Tel: 336 4000,
Website(s): www.millenaris.hu, www.csodakpalotaja.hu
and www.jovohaza.hu, Opening times
vary according to exhibition visited. See websites for details. Metro: M2
Moszkva tér
Millennium Park,
which occupies a rejuvenated industrial plot just a few blocks behind the Mammut Shopping
Centre, serves as a venue for pop concerts and art exhibitions, as well as featuring the
excellent "Future House" (Jövő Háza Központ) and "Palace of
Miracles" (Csodák Palotája).
The former provides a series of interesting exhibits relating to life
in the future, science, space, the human body and technological innovations. As part of
your visit, it's possible to travel on an expedition to Mars, pilot a Boeing 737 and ride
around a small part of the complex on a Segway!
 For younger visitors, the Palace of Miracles is an educational playhouse
designed for ages 8-16 (but fun even for adults) which features interactive puzzles and hands-on scientific games and experiments.
Housed over several floors, the centre is popular all year round, but especially so over
the school holidays.
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