High above the banks of the Danube is Buda’s Castle Hill with its imposing, Castle Palace. In 1872, Buda with Pest, and Obuda, were united to form Hungary’s capital of Budapest.

Looking at the city’s layout and buildings, which were modelled on southern examples, it is difficult to believe that in the thirteenth century the city’s inhabitants were forced to flee from the banks of the Danube due to attacking Mongol hordes. For them, Castle Hill was their only protection as well as the massive stone castle of King Bela The Fourth, which eventually became the residence of the Hungarian monarchy.

The centre of the Civil District includes Trinity Square, the Plague Column and Mattias Church. According to legend, state founder king, Stephan The First, established a church there in1015 A.D. On June 8, 1867, Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Elisabeth were crowned within it with the Stephan’s Crown and became king and queen of Hungary.

In1873, Buda lost its independence due to the formation of Budapest. However, even now Buda proudly surveys its metropolis on the Danube!