Fisherman's Bastion is one of the most iconic landmarks in Budapest, Hungary. Situated atop a hill in the Buda Castle District, Fisherman's Bastion is a terrace complex with sweeping views of the Danube River and the city skyline. Its seven towers, each symbolizing one of the seven Magyar tribes, have become a symbol of the city's rich history and culture. Fisherman's Bastion is a popular tourist destination for those looking to explore the city's past and present.
This article will explore the history and significance of Fisherman's Bastion, its architecture, and its place in the city of Budapest.
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About Fisherman's Bastion
The neo-Romanesque Fisherman's Bastion in Buda Castle is one of Budapest's most romantic sights.
It takes its name from the part of the city below it, the Fishing City. In the Middle Ages, a guild of fishermen protected this part of the castle wall. It was used as a lodging house during the reign of the Árpád kings and became the administrative centre of the country under King Matthias. The bastions symbolise the tents of our ancestors and the stone towers the seven Hungarian leaders. The military building was later converted into a beautiful promenade and lookout.
The lookout tower at the Fisherman's Bastion is very popular with tourists. It offers a magnificent panorama of Budapest, the Danube, the Parliament and the Chain Bridge. In the evening you can take beautiful photos of a romantic sunset.
In the square between the Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church is the equestrian statue of King Stephen, decorated with highlights of his reign. Here you can also see the statue of John Hunyadi, a replica of the statue of St John the Dragon Slayer and the statues of Julian and Friar Gerhard.
The lower parts of the Fisherman's Bastion and the smaller towers are open to the public, the main tower is closed in the evening. You can enjoy a coffee in the main tower or a delicious lunch in the Fisherman's Bastion Restaurant below, with its fabulous panoramic views.
Where now you can take fantastic photos from, there used to be real castle walls; however, the modern-day structure has never been used as a fortification in Buda.
A Brief History
Fisherman's Bastion is a terraced structure located in Budapest. It has been built between 1895 and 1902 as a viewing terrace for visitors to Buda Castle. It is named after the fishermen who defended the area against the invading Turks in the 17th century. The Bastion was designed by Frigyes Schulek, a Hungarian architect, and is renowned for its Romanesque Revival architectural style. The terrace is made up of seven towers, representing the seven Magyar (Hungarian) tribes who settled in the Carpathian Basin in 895 AD.
During the Árpád dynasty, Castle Hill served both a residential and defensive purpose, but it was not until King Matthias' reign that it was officially designated for the use of the rulers. During the Middle Ages and the country's Turkish occupation, the bastions and walls were fortified, but ultimately destroyed by the Turks. Under Austrian rule, the Castle District underwent a Baroque makeover, with many of its buildings, including the Matthias Church, succumbing to the trend.
The structure, which had been severely damaged during the Second World War, was restored by the son of Frigyes Schulek, János Schulek.
By the 1980s, the walls of Fisherman's Bastion had become grey with the accumulation of household fumes and urban air pollution. Furthermore, many of the statues were in a state of disrepair, with limbs missing and faces crumbling. Thanks to the Castle District municipality, who advocated for the state and the capital to contribute to the significant restoration costs, the Bastion has been fully restored.
The Fisherman's Bastion was built on the foundations of a structure that stretched from the "Lookout Tower" to the Jesuit Steps, with the latter being replaced by the northernmost main tower. The bastion was named after the Fishermen's Village (Halászváros), where the fishermen used to sell their catch at the fish market located next to the Matthias Church. During times of war, these same fishermen defended the bastion.
St. Michael Chapel
When the Fisherman's Bastion was renovated in 1899, during the archaeological excavations of the reconstruction works, the St. Michael Chapel from the Middle Ages was discovered by accident, and part of it was integrated into the Bastion. You can go down into the Chapel from the Fisherman's Bastion. It was named after the Catholic patron saint of the dead, St Michael
St Michael's Chapel was first documented in medieval chronicles in 1442-43 as the chapel of the cemetery near the Church of Our Lady (today mostly known as the Matthias Church to tourists).
The two-nave chapel, which is approximately 40 feet long and 7.5 feet wide, is of a smaller size with an octagonal shaped chancel in the east. The sidewalls and pillars are believed to have been constructed in the 15th or 16th century, with the barrel vault arches indicating a later addition in the 18th century. Located within the walls and rocks of the Castle's defence line, which was later incorporated into the Fisherman's Bastion, the chapel also features a cannon slot viewing the north. After the Austro-Hungarian empire, the chapel was gradually forgotten, and was buried for 250 years before it was discovered in 1899. Frigyes Schulek altered his plans for the Fisherman's Bastion so that the chapel could be preserved, and it wasn't until Hungary's national birthday, the 20th of August 1997, that the chapel was opened to the public (for a small entrance fee).
The 3D Show of Hungarian History, free to anyone with a Budapest Card, is available all year round, in any weather and on most days from 10 am to 5 pm at the chapel, which draws in visitors with its 3D historical film screenings.
Restaurant on the top of the turrets
As you can read it on the restaurant's website. "It is not only a restaurant. It is an expression of mood and feeling that much harder to describe than to try it and being a part of the miracle…"
At the Halászbástya (Fishrman's Bastion) Restaurant, they strive to embrace and bring to life the best of Hungarian gastronomy. They take great pride in their culinary heritage and are committed to sourcing the highest quality local artisan ingredients to create innovative dishes that reflect their traditional flavors. They also make a great effort to make as many products as possible in-house, such as jams, breads, pastas and smoked items. By doing so, they ensure that their guests get to enjoy the best of what Hungarian cuisine has to offer.
Opening hours of the Fisherman's Bastion
The towers of the Fisherman's Bastion and the terrace are always open for visitors.
Tips
- The building has been built from 1895 to 1902
- The architecture of the building resembles the logo of Walt Disney movies, but it is even more attractive and dates back further in time.
- It is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Balconies are free of charge, but the top turrets require a fee to be paid - it is 1.200 HUF for adults (2024)
- Seven turrets were constructed to honor the seven Hungarian tribes who established the country in 895.
- The Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest has a cafe located on its terrace.
- The Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest has a Chapel that has been open since March of 2013.
- The guild of fishermen during the Middle Ages provided protection, hence the name.
Site location: Trinity Square (Szentháromság tér)
GSP coordinates: 47.502002, 19.034868
Google Photos: Click here
For more information about the history of the Fisherman's Bastion: Click here
For more information about Fisherman's Bastion visit the official website: Click here
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