Maze: Budapest

Budapest, Hungary

Land of the Huns

Hungary is a landlocked country with many rolling hills north of the Balkan Peninsula and the Carpathian Mountains.  The Magyar tribes found out they'd never go hungry in Hungary and decided to settle there in 896 A.D.  The Magyars are descendants of the Finnish-Ugric ad Turks.  They turned to Christianity in the 900's.  Stephen I, Duke of Hungary, ascended the throne in 997 A.D. and was crowned king in 1001.  He was known as the "Apostolic King."  The Tartars invaded Hungary in the 1200's but later was driven out by the might of the Holy Roman Empire.  King Matthias Corvinus took over in 1458.  The Ottoman Empire took control in 1526 and by late 1600's the Turks were driven out of Hungary.  There was so much discontent with Austrian rule between 1700's and 1800's. Emperor Francis Joseph I of Austria was crowned king of Hungary in 1867.  Hungary joined Germany in the invasion of Russia in 1941.  In retaliation, aside from Hungary being famous for their goulash soup, chicken paprika, and palinka, the Russkis invaded the Land of the Huns in 1944.  According to legends, the town of Buda (Obuda) was named after Attila the Hun's brother, Buda.  The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 against the Communist Regime is still very fresh in the memory of many Hungarians.

Hungarian Parliament

House of Terror

Bullet-riddled building

Castle Hill of Buda

Castle Hill Musicians playing "Whiter Shade of Pale."

Heroes' Square - Tour group listening to guide Amika

Designated spot

Pest Marketplace

First Floor - mostly selling sausages and cheeses; Second Floors - laces, clothes, and a few restaurants serving the best of Hungarian dishes.  Eating there is preferred instead of outside restaurants.

  Internet Publication:

6/7/10  lib's labyrinth blogspot

10/2007  ALT  MSN Group