Budapest

In the Middle Ages, in the reign of Zsigmond (Sigismund), Buda became the permanent royal residence. The palace was expanded continuously until its completion under King Mátyás (Matthias), who brought the true culture of the Renaissance to Hungary. On the east bank of the Danube, Pest prospered; it had become a major centre of trade and achieved equal status with Buda by decree of King Mátyás.

The initial impetus for the unification of Budapest was the construction of the bridge and finally the old but new capital city was born on 17 November 1873. In the years that followed, the grand avenue of Andrássy út and the ring boulevards were laid out, and development of a world city was set in motion.

The Second World War brought destruction on a massive scale, both of the city’s built heritage – all its Danube bridges were blown up by retreating German troops – and through heavy loss of life. Physical reconstruction was completed within four years, but a further four decades would pass – thanks to the Soviet occupation and its accompanying state socialist regime – before the city’s long process of democratic development could resume.

Mayor

Mr. Gábor Demszky Municipality of Budapest Mayor's Office 1052 Budapest Városház u. 9-11 Hungary demszkyg@budapest.hu +36 1 327.1075, +36 1 327 1076 +36 1 327 1807, +36 1 327 1882 http://www.budapest.hu/