Budapest
The city on the Danube enchants visitors with its stunning architecture and rich history.
Danube River
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The Danube River divides the city into two parts: Buda to the west and Pest to the east. Take a boat cruise to see some of the city’s most famous attractions. Or walk along the shores to see important monuments like the Shoes on the Danube Bank in remembrance of Jews killed in WWII and the Liberty Statue in remembrance of those who died for their country.
Jewish Quarter (Erzsébetváros)
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District VII saw some of the worst atrocities of the Holocaust, with an approximate 440,000 Hungarian Jews deported to death camps while those who remained were left in ghettos without basic necessities. Visit important sites like Dohány Street Synagogue (Great Synagogue) and the adjacent Hungarian Jewish Museum and Archives and Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park to better understand the community’s history and honor the lives lost. Nowadays, the history of the district can be hard to remember as it has been significantly revitalized, and gentrified, to a trendy neighborhood known for lively restaurants and bars. Visit the infamous ruin bars (such as Szimpla Kert), popular watering holes in depilated buildings.
Buda Castle Complex or Castle Hill (Budavári Palota)
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This UNESCO World Heritage site was once the royal palace and dates back to the 13th century. Walk or take a funicular up to the complex which includes the Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest History Museum, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, and much more. Wander through the historic cobblestone streets and take a step back in time.
House of Terror (Terror Háza)
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Housed in the former headquarters of the State Protection Authority (or Communist Secret Police), this museum explains the impact of fascist and Stalinist regimes on the people of Hungary. In many cases, crimes happened within the very walls of the building including the imprisonment, torture, and killing of those who spoke out about the regimes.