Seven Wonders of Hungary

The Hungarian Parliament Building is one of Europe’s oldest legislative structures.  It is the official location for the National Assembly of Hungary.  It is the largest building in the country and a spectacular landmark for Hungary.

The Buda Castle construction was completed in 1265. It is also referred to as the Royal Palace or Royal Castle. It encompasses a 1.8 square mile (4.7 sq km) area. The iconic landmark lit at night is amazing. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Hungarian State Opera House was originally called the Royal Opera House. Construction was completed in 1884. The opera house is home to the Budapest Opera Ball.

St. Stephen’s Basilica was constructed in honor of Stephen, the first King of Hungary. It is the third largest church structure in the country. It is a Roman Catholic basilica. Construction was completed in 1905. It reaches a height of 315 feet (96 m).

Fisherman’s Bastion, also called Halaszbastya, is a terrace constructed in a neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesqe style. It is found on the bank of the Danube River. Construction was completed in 1902.

Lake Balaton is the largest lake in the country and the largest lake in Central Europe. The Zala River is the primary source of water into the lake. It is a freshwater that reaches a depth of 40 feet (12.2 m) and expands across 229 square miles (592 sq km).

Matthias Church is a Roman Catholic church found in Budapest near the Fisherman’s Bastion. Original construction was completed in 1015 using a Romanesque style. Renovations brought in a Gothic style during the 14th century.

The Dohany Street Synagogue, also called The Great Synagogue or Tabakgasse Synagogue, is the largest synagogue in Europe. Seating as many as 3,000 people it is one of the largest in the world. Construction was completed in 1859.

The Szechenyi Thermal Bath, also called Szechenyi Medicinal Bath, is located in Budapest. It is the largest medicinal bath in Europe. Two thermal springs deliver water at 165oF (74oC) and 171oF (77oC). Sulphate, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, fluoride and metaboric acid are part of the medicinal elements.

Memento Park is an open-air museum in Budapest that features monumental figures of history. Lenin, Marx, Engels and several other leaders are honored as statues.

The Hungarian National Gallery, also called Magya Nemzeti Galeria, was opened in 1957. It serves as the national museum of art.

Esztergom Basilica, also called the Primatial Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary Assumed Into Heaven and St. Adalbert, is the seat of the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest. It is the biggest building in Hungary and the 18th largest church around the world. It opened in 1856.

The Citadella is located atop Gellert Hill in Budapest. This fortress was constructed in 1851. It provides a panoramic view of the city, Danube River and each of the eight bridges crossing it. The Liberty Statue, also called Freedom Statue is a pinnacle landmark.

Lake Heviz is the largest thermal lake in Europe and the second largest thermal lake in the world. It encompasses 511,286 square feet (47,500 sq m) of area. Bacteria is the primary life form in the lake.

The National Theatre is the main theatre in the country. It first opened in 1837. It was reconstructed in 2002. It occupies 20,844 square meters of area.

Heroes Square, also called Hosok tere, is renowned for the landmark statue. The complex displays the Seven Chieftains of the Magyars and other dignitaries. It is also home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Szechenyl Chain Bridge is a suspension bridge that extends across the Danube River connecting Buda and Pest. It was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Hungary. It extends 1,230 feet (375 m) across the river and opened in 1849.

Festetics Palace, also called Festetics Castle, is a Baroque palace located in Keszthely. It is one of the three largest houses in the country. It featured a combination of neo-Baroque, and neo-Renaissance architectural style.