As far as my previous post with random facts about Dubai got a big response, I’ve decided to continue this tradition and here are 5 things you did not know about Budapest!
Three cities
Budapest consists of three historically developed parts — Buda, Obuda and Pesht. Buda was founded in the 10th century on the west side of the Danube, while Pest came into existence several years later on the opposite side of the river. Óbuda, the oldest district of Budapest now, was the northern suburb of Buda. In 1849 there was built the first bridge through the Danube and in 1873 as the result of association of three cities the city of Budapest appeared.
The largest and tallest
However, you won’t find any skyscrapers, you’ll be surprised that The Hungarian Parliament Building, also known as the Parliament of Budapest, is the third largest Parliament building in the world! It is 268 m long, 23 m wide and 96 m high. The Parliament of Budapest, which is in the Gothic Revival style, covers an area of 18,000 sq meters and has 691 rooms, 29 staircases and 27 gates.
The oldest
The Line 1 (Millennium Underground Railway) is the second oldest underground railway in the world (after the London Underground), and the first line on the continental Europe. It was constructed in 1896. But it’s not the only one oldest building in Budapest! The Budapest Zoo (by the way it can be reached by Line 1) was opened in 1866 and is considered as one of the oldest in the world.
Rubik’s Cube
The world famous 3-d puzzle was created by the inventor and professor of architecture – Ernő Rubik, who was born in Budapest and has lived all his life in Hungary. But it’s worth mentioning that there are many other famous Hungarian inventors and scientists who are known for their discoveries: journalist Laszlo Bíró (ballpoint pen), chemist Albert Szent-Györgyi (Vitamin-C), physicist Ede Teller (hydrogen bomb). And can you imagine that Hungary has 13 Nobel Prize winners!
Local Dracula
Although Dracula originates from Romania or Transylvania, the real-life inspiration and behind Bram Stoker’s character was Vlad Tepes, Prince of Wallachia. He was also known as Vlad III Dracul (i.e. son of the dragon).
