In Budapest, the conical roofs on circular turrets, typical of medieval architecture at the Fisherman's Bastion are distinctly different from some of the castles I have seen in the past. The Fisherman's Bastion is a terrace on the Buda bank of River Danube on top of Castle Hill. It was told that this area got its name because fishermen were responsible in defending this part of the city walls during the Middle Ages.
There was no Budapest before 17 November 1873. Before this, the hilly and greener area west of River Danube was called Buda. This is where many of Budapest's attractions are situated including the Fisherman's Bastion. Area to the east of the river was called Pest. For 150 years from 1526, these areas and the surrounding were under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. Then under the initiative of Pope Innocent XI, Buda was retaken by an alliance of nations who fought against the Ottoman rule. Buda, Pest and Obuda were unified and declared as Budapest.
There was no Budapest before 17 November 1873. Before this, the hilly and greener area west of River Danube was called Buda. This is where many of Budapest's attractions are situated including the Fisherman's Bastion. Area to the east of the river was called Pest. For 150 years from 1526, these areas and the surrounding were under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. Then under the initiative of Pope Innocent XI, Buda was retaken by an alliance of nations who fought against the Ottoman rule. Buda, Pest and Obuda were unified and declared as Budapest.
From the terrace, visitors are able to have a spectacular view of River Danube and the surrounding areas.
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The Matthias Church in front of the Fisherman's Bastion has a history that dates back to the 11th century. The church was founded in 1015 by St. Stephen, King of Hungary. In 1241, it was destroyed by the Mongols. The current building was rebuilt in the latter part of the 13th century. The church was converted to a mosque during the Ottoman rule.
The church was named after the Renaissance King, Matthias (1443-1490). This is the venue of his two weddings, first to Catherine of Podebrady and later to Beatrice of Naples after Catherine's death. This church was also the venue of the coronation of the last two Hungarian Habsburg kings, Franz Josef in 1867 and Charles IV in 1916 in the midst of World War One.
The church has a distinctive roof covered with handmade ornate colourful tiles made by world renowned Zsolnay which specializes in porcelain products of unique glaze and dye technology.
Statute of Stephen 1 or King St. Stephen, the first king of Hungary whose reign spans from 1000 to 1038.
The interior of the church is simply spectacular and awe-inspiring. Some call the design Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance.
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