Buda Castle

The first royal palace on Castle Hill was built by King Béla IV between 1247 and 1265. Under Sigismund, one of the largest Gothic palaces of the late Middle Ages arose in the early 15th century, and under Matthias Corvinus it was remodelled in Renaissance style. It was badly damaged when the city was retaken in 1686; the Baroque rebuilding followed from 1749 to 1769, and the extension under Alajos Hauszmann ran until 1912. In the winter of 1944/45 it was destroyed again and later rebuilt. The Castle District has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

Today it houses the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum and the National Széchényi Library. The funicular of 1870 runs up from Clark Ádám Square, is about 95 metres long and takes roughly 90 seconds; it is closed on certain days for maintenance. On foot, you can climb up via the Chain Bridge. Allow half a day if you include a museum.