A cultural guide to Budapest
A cultural guide to Budapest
Learn about distinctive features of Budapest, from St. Stephen's Basilica, Andrássy Avenue, and the Great Market Hall to the Jewish Quarter and the Széchenyi Baths.
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz
Transcript
NARRATOR: Budapest - Hungary's capital is hip and trendy. But, as if the people here weren't already attraction enough, at every turn the city has so many cultural monuments to discover you'll be awestruck. You can get around Budapest easily on foot, or you can take a bus. Modernity and tradition converge everywhere you go. One attraction you definitely shouldn't miss is Saint Stephen's Basilica. It was erected in 1845 only to be destroyed in a storm a few years later and then reconstructed. This basilica has an eventful past. It is the largest church in Budapest. Believe it or not, it can accommodate 8,500 people. Be careful not to strain your neck trying to take in all the fine details of the dome.
Your route through Budapest leads you into the heart of the city, to Andrassy Avenue, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002. It is the epicentre of local life. The Great Market Hall, Budapest's stomach, offers the opportunity to find out more about the Hungarian way of life. It was designed by an architect named Eiffel. That's right, the man who designed the tower in Paris. There are countless stalls offering authentic Hungarian craftwork and edibles. It's worth stopping to check out many of the vendors who sell their wares here. It is the perfect opportunity to witness a genuine everyday shopping experience in Budapest without touristy frills. Budapest is a city where visitors can observe exciting developments in districts where young hipsters are moving into traditional communities. The Jewish quarter is just the right place to observe this trend. Budapest is home to the largest Jewish community in Eastern Europe. Here you'll find trendy boutiques alongside interesting shops, such as kosher bakeries and restaurants.
JULIE SZONTAGH: "Ten years ago this was a pretty dreary area. There were dark alleyways and everyone who lived here said it was dangerous. Today this is a trendy district, a bit like Montmartre in Paris."
NARRATOR: We have an inside tip for weary souls as well: the Szechenyi Baths. No matter what the outside temperature might be, here you can wash away your physical fatigue in thermal pools fed by a naturally heated source. There's no more dignified way to relax at the end of a day in Budapest.
Your route through Budapest leads you into the heart of the city, to Andrassy Avenue, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002. It is the epicentre of local life. The Great Market Hall, Budapest's stomach, offers the opportunity to find out more about the Hungarian way of life. It was designed by an architect named Eiffel. That's right, the man who designed the tower in Paris. There are countless stalls offering authentic Hungarian craftwork and edibles. It's worth stopping to check out many of the vendors who sell their wares here. It is the perfect opportunity to witness a genuine everyday shopping experience in Budapest without touristy frills. Budapest is a city where visitors can observe exciting developments in districts where young hipsters are moving into traditional communities. The Jewish quarter is just the right place to observe this trend. Budapest is home to the largest Jewish community in Eastern Europe. Here you'll find trendy boutiques alongside interesting shops, such as kosher bakeries and restaurants.
JULIE SZONTAGH: "Ten years ago this was a pretty dreary area. There were dark alleyways and everyone who lived here said it was dangerous. Today this is a trendy district, a bit like Montmartre in Paris."
NARRATOR: We have an inside tip for weary souls as well: the Szechenyi Baths. No matter what the outside temperature might be, here you can wash away your physical fatigue in thermal pools fed by a naturally heated source. There's no more dignified way to relax at the end of a day in Budapest.