Eastern Europe Hungary BUDAPEST Budapest is the capital and the largest city of Hungary. Regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, its extensive World Heritage Site includes the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrassy Avenue, Heroes' Square and the Millennium Underground Railway, the second oldest in the world. The Hungarian Parliament Building (Hungarian Orszaghaz, which translates to House of the Country or House of the Nation) The Hungarian Parliament Building (Orszaghaz, House of the Country or House of the Nation) The Hungarian Parliament Building (Orszaghaz, House of the Country or House of the Nation) It is the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary, a notable landmark of Hungary. It is situated on Kossuth Square in the Pest side of the city, on the eastern bank of the Danube. The first settlement on the territory of Budapest was built by Celts before 1 AD. It was later occupied by the Romans. The settlement - Aquincum - became the main city of Lower Pannonia in 106 AD. The Italian Renaissance had a great influence on the city. Castle Hill Varnegyed (Castle Quarter) Budapest Hungary Castle Hill Varnegyed (Castle Quarter) Budapest Hungary The Halaszbastya, or Fisherman's Bastion is one of the best known monuments, located in the Buda Castle. The original walls were built in the 1700s, forming part of the walls of a castle. Several historians say that in the Middle Ages this part of the castle walls was protected by the guild of fishermen (halasz), who lived under the walls in the so-called Fishtown or Watertown. The current structure was built between 1895 and 1902, in Neo-Romanesque style. Halaszbastya, or Fisherman's Bastion, Budapest. Castle Hill, Varnegyed Budapest 2007. Castle Hill, Varnegyed Budapest 2007. Castle Hill, Varnegyed Budapest 2007. Castle Hill, Varnegyed Budapest 2007. Castle Hill, Varnegyed Budapest 2007. Castle Hill, Varnegyed Budapest 2007. Castle Hill, Varnegyed Budapest 2007. Castle Hill, Varnegyed Budapest 2007. Baroque Oroszlanos Gate of the Hungarian National Gallery, Castle Hill, Varnegyed (Castle Quarter) Budapest Hungary, 2007. Castle Hill, Varnegyed Budapest 2007. Castle Hill, Varnegyed Budapest 2007. Castle Hill, Varnegyed Budapest 2007. Castle Hill, Varnegyed Budapest 2007. The Great Market Hall or Central Market Hall (Hungarian "Nagycsarnok"), in the 9th dist., is the largest indoor market in Budapest. It was designed and built by Samu Pecz. Most of the stalls on the ground floor offer popular souvenirs such as paprika, tokaji, and caviar. In the 1st floor you can find typical tourist articles, such as pictures, dolls, glasses, tablecloths, chess boards and clothes made in Hungarian style. The Great Market Hall or Central Market Hall (Hungarian "Nagycsarnok"), in the 9th district. St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan-bazilika) is a Roman Catholic basilica. It is named in honour of Stephen, the first King of Hungary, whose mummified fist is housed in the reliquary. The architectural style is Neo-Rennaissance; it has a Greek cross groundplan. The facade is anchored by two large bell towers. In the southern tower is Hungary's biggest bell. St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan-bazilika). St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan-bazilika). Vajdahunyad Castle (Hungarian: Vajdahunyad vara) is a castle in the City Park of Budapest. It was built in 1896 as part of the Millennial Exhibition which celebrated the 1,000 years of Hungary since Hungarian Conquest of the Carpathian Basin in 895. The Anonymous Writer, Vajdahunyad Castle, Budapest. Memento Park is a unique museum in Budapest, including Statue Park with monumental statues from Hungary's Communist period (1949-1989). In the open air you can see statues of Lenin, Marx, and Engels. House of Terror is a museum located at Andrassy ut 60 in Budapest, Hungary. It contains exhibits related to the fascist and communist dictatorial regimes in 20th century Hungary and is also a memorial to the victims of these regimes, including those detained, tortured or killed in the building. Other highlights include a total of 80 geothermal springs, the world's largest thermal water cave system, second largest synagogue, and third largest Parliament building.