Editing Budapest (section)

== Architecture ==
{{See also|Category:Buildings and structures in Budapest|List of churches in Budapest}}
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| footer            = '''Clockwise, from upper left''': the ruins of the Celtic and Roman civil town of [[Aquincum]]; Romanesque 12th century [[Gercse Parish Church]]; the [[Buda Castle]]; [[Kós Károly Square]] in the [[Wekerletelep]]; Ottoman [[Tomb of Gül Baba]]; and Gothic Mary Magdalene Church
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Budapest has architecturally noteworthy buildings in a wide range of styles and from distinct time periods, from the ancient times as Roman City of Aquincum in Óbuda (District III), which dates to around 89 AD, to the most modern [[Palace of Arts (Budapest)|Palace of Arts]], the contemporary arts museum and concert hall.<ref name="Budapest Architecture">{{cite web |url=http://visitbudapest.travel/guide/budapest-architecture/ |title=Budapest Architecture |publisher=visitbudapest.travel |year=2013 |access-date=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530170324/http://visitbudapest.travel/guide/budapest-architecture/ |archive-date=30 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pbase.com/helenpb/the_incredible_architecture_of_budapest |title=The Incredible Architecture of Budapest |publisher=pbase.com |year=2013 |access-date=5 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.budapest.com/city_guide/attractions/exceptional_buildings.en.html |title=Exceptional Buildings Budapest |publisher=budapest.com |year=2014 |access-date=5 May 2014 |archive-date=25 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425000115/http://www.budapest.com/city_guide/attractions/exceptional_buildings.en.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Most buildings in Budapest are relatively low: in the early 2010s there were around 100 buildings higher than {{convert|45|m}}. The number of high-rise buildings is kept low by building legislation, which is aimed at preserving the historic cityscape and to meet the requirements of the [[World Heritage Site]]. Strong rules apply to the planning, authorisation and construction of high-rise buildings and consequently much of the [[inner city]] does not have any. Some planners would like to see an easing of the rules for the construction of skyscrapers, and the possibility of building skyscrapers outside the city's historic core has been raised.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prestigecity.hu/towers/en/lakasok/magas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016232556/http://www.prestigecity.hu/towers/en/lakasok/magas |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 October 2007 |title=The high-rise buildings as emblematique element of luxury district, 13th District of Budapest |publisher=Prestigecity |access-date=5 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.euscreen.eu/play.jsp?id=EUS_D1935399A8EF4E8891F15BA4C0800C86 |title=The coming of skyscrapers? |publisher=euscreen.eu |date=17 December 2006 |access-date=5 May 2014 |archive-date=14 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514015754/http://www.euscreen.eu/play.jsp?id=EUS_D1935399A8EF4E8891F15BA4C0800C86 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the chronological order of architectural styles Budapest is represented on the entire timeline, starting with the Roman City of Aquincum representing [[History of architecture|ancient architecture]].

The next determinative style is the [[Gothic architecture]] in Budapest. The few remaining Gothic buildings can be found in the Castle District. Buildings of note are no. 18, 20 and 22 on Országház Street, which date back to the 14th century and No. 31 Úri Street, which has a Gothic façade that dates back to the 15th century. Other buildings with Gothic features are the [[Inner City Parish Church in Pest|Inner City Parish Church]], built in the 12th century,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://visitbudapest.travel/local-secrets/inner-city-parish-church/ |title=The oldest church in Pest |publisher=visitbudapest.travel |year=2011 |access-date=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506000001/http://visitbudapest.travel/local-secrets/inner-city-parish-church/ |archive-date=6 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the Mary Magdalene Church, completed in the 15th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://budavar.btk.mta.hu/en/streets-squares-buildings/kapisztran-square/251-magdalene-tower.html |title=Kapisztrán tér – Parish Church of Saint Maria Magdalene, Magdalene Tower |author=András Végh |website=Hungarian Academy of Sciences-BTM website |access-date=6 September 2019 |archive-date=12 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212163238/http://budavar.btk.mta.hu/en/streets-squares-buildings/kapisztran-square/251-magdalene-tower.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The most characteristic Gothic-style buildings are actually [[Gothic Revival architecture|Neo-Gothic]], like the most well-known Budapest landmarks, the [[Hungarian Parliament Building]]<ref name=Steves>{{cite book |first1=Rick |last1=Steves |first2=Cameron |last2=Hewitt |title=Rick Steves' Budapest |date=2009 |publisher=Avalon Travel Publishing |isbn=978-1-59880-217-7 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781598802177}}</ref> and the [[Matthias Church]], where much of the original material was used (originally built in [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque style]] in 1015).<ref name="budapestbylocals.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.budapestbylocals.com/matthias-church.html |title=Matthias Church Budapest Castle-Church of Our Lady Buda, Tickets, Concerts |date=9 July 2022 |publisher=Budapestbylocals.com}}</ref>

The next chapter in the history of human architecture is [[Renaissance architecture]]. One of the earliest places to be influenced by the Renaissance style of architecture was Hungary, and Budapest in particular. The style appeared following the marriage of King [[Matthias Corvinus]] and [[Beatrice of Naples]] in 1476. Many Italian artists, craftsmen and masons came to Buda with the new queen. Today, many of the original renaissance buildings disappeared during the varied history of Buda, but Budapest is still rich in renaissance and neo-renaissance buildings, like the famous [[Hungarian State Opera House]], [[St. Stephen's Basilica]] and the [[Hungarian Academy of Sciences]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lovelybudapest.com/en/about-budapest/budapest-attractions/the-basilica-of-st-stephen.html |title=The Basilica of Saint Stephen |publisher=Lovelybudapest.com |access-date=14 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211222120/http://www.lovelybudapest.com/en/about-budapest/budapest-attractions/the-basilica-of-st-stephen.html |archive-date=11 December 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

During the Turkish occupation (1541–1686), Islamic culture flourished in Budapest; multiple mosques and baths were built in the city. These were great examples of [[Ottoman architecture]], which was influenced by Muslims from around the world including Turkish, Iranian, Arabian and to a larger extent, [[Byzantine architecture]] as well as Islamic traditions. After the Holy League conquered Budapest, they replaced most of the mosques with churches and minarets were turned into bell towers and cathedral spires. At one point the distinct sloping central square in Budapest became a bustling Oriental bazaar, which was filled with "the chatter of camel caravans on their way to Yemen and India".<ref name=NYT1991>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/10/travel/glimpsing-hungary-s-ottoman-past.html |title=Glimpsing Hungary's Ottoman Past |author=Celestine Bohlen |date=10 March 1991 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=9 November 2016}}</ref> Budapest is in fact one of the few places in the world with functioning original [[Turkish bath]]houses dating back to the 16th century, like Rudas Baths or [[Király Baths]]. Budapest is home to the northernmost place where the [[Tomb of Gül Baba|tomb]] of influential Islamic Turkish Sufi Dervish, [[Gül Baba]] is found. Various cultures converged in Hungary seemed to coalesce well with each other, as if all these different cultures and architecture styles are digested into Hungary's own way of cultural blend. A precedent to show the city's self-conscious is the top section of the city's main square, named as [[Széchenyi square (Pécs)|Szechenyi]]. When Turks came to the city, they built mosques here which was aggressively replaced with Gothic church of St. Bertalan. The rationale of reusing the base of the former Islamic building mosque and reconstruction into Gothic Church but Islamic style architecture over it is typically Islamic are still visible. An official term for the rationale is [[spolia]]. The mosque was called the djami of Pasha Gazi Kassim, and djami means mosque in Arabic. After Turks and Muslims were expelled and massacred from Budapest, the site was reoccupied by Christians and reformed into a church, the [[Inner City Parish Church in Pest|Inner City Parish Church (Budapest)]]. The [[minaret]] and Turkish entranceway were removed. The shape of the architecture is its only hint of exotic past—"two surviving prayer niches facing Mecca and an ecumenical symbol atop its cupola: a cross rising above the Turkish crescent moon".<ref name=NYT1991/>

[[File:Budapest Hungary 08.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.05|The most famous [[Bridges of Budapest|Budapest bridge]], the [[Széchenyi Chain Bridge|Chain Bridge]], the icon of the city's 19th century development, built in 1849]]

After 1686, the [[Baroque architecture]] designated the dominant style of art in catholic countries from the 17th century to the 18th century.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/400 |title=Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue – UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=16 April 2012}}</ref> There are many Baroque-style buildings in Budapest and one of the finest examples of preserved Baroque-style architecture is the Church of St. Anna in [[Batthyány tér|Batthyhány square]]. An interesting part of Budapest is the less touristy Óbuda, the main square of which also has some beautiful preserved historic buildings with Baroque façades. The Castle District is another place to visit where the best-known landmark Buda Royal Palace and many other buildings were built in the Baroque style.<ref name="auto" />

The [[Classical architecture]] and [[Neoclassical architecture]] are the next in the timeline. Budapest had not one but two architects that were masters of the Classicist style. [[Mihály Pollack]] (1773–1855) and [[József Hild]] (1789–1867), built many beautiful Classicist-style buildings in the city. Some of the best examples are the [[Hungarian National Museum]], the [[Lutheran Church of Budavár]] (both designed by Pollack) and the seat of the [[List of heads of state of Hungary|Hungarian president]], the [[Sándor Palace, Budapest|Sándor Palace]]. The most iconic and widely known Classicist-style attraction in Budapest is the [[Széchenyi Chain Bridge]].<ref name=structurae>{{Structurae|id=20000455|title=Széchenyi Chain Bridge}}</ref> Budapest's two most beautiful [[Gothic Revival architecture#Romanticism and nationalism|Romantic architecture]] buildings are the [[Dohány Street Synagogue|Great Synagogue]] in Dohány Street and the [[Vigadó Concert Hall]] on the [[Danube Promenade]], both designed by architect [[Frigyes Feszl]] (1821–1884). Another noteworthy structure is the [[Budapest-Nyugati Railway Terminal|Budapest Western Railway Station]], which was designed by August de Serres and built by the [[Eiffel (company)|Eiffel Company]] of Paris in 1877.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://welovebudapest.com/en/venue/nyugati-railway-station-2/ |title=Nyugati Railway Station – WeLoveBudapest EN |publisher=Welovebudapest.com |access-date=14 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215083707/https://welovebudapest.com/en/venue/nyugati-railway-station-2/ |archive-date=15 February 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Hungarian Parliament Building (54172614480).jpg|left|thumb|The [[Hungarian Parliament Building|Hungarian Parliament]], completed in 1904]]

[[Art Nouveau]] came into fashion in Budapest by the exhibitions which were held in and around 1896 and organised in connection with the Hungarian [[Millennium]] celebrations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boedapestrondleiding.com/text/rondleidingen/artnouveaurondleiding_en.php |title=Budapest Tour: Early Art Nouveau 1897–1904 |publisher=budapestarchitect.com |year=2011 |access-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529120059/http://www.boedapestrondleiding.com/text/rondleidingen/artnouveaurondleiding_en.php |archive-date=29 May 2014}}</ref> Art Nouveau in Hungary (''Szecesszió'' in Hungarian) is a blend of several architectural styles, with a focus on Hungary's specialities. One of the leading Art Nouveau architects, [[Ödön Lechner]] (1845–1914), was inspired by Indian and Syrian architecture as well as traditional Hungarian decorative designs. One of his most beautiful buildings in Budapest is the [[Museum of Applied Arts (Budapest)|Museum of Applied Arts]]. Another examples for Art Nouveau in Budapest is the [[Gresham Palace]] in front of the Chain Bridge, the [[Hotel Gellért]], the [[Franz Liszt Academy of Music]] or [[Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden]].<ref name="Budapest Architecture" />

{{Quote box|width=30%|quote=It is one of the world's outstanding urban landscapes and illustrates the great periods in the history of the Hungarian capital.|source=''[[UNESCO]]''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/400/ |title=Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue |first=UNESCO World Heritage |last=Centre |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre}}</ref>}}

The second half of the 20th century also saw, under the communist regime, the construction of [[blocks of flats]] ([[panelház]]), as in other Eastern European countries. In the 21st century, Budapest faces new challenges in its architecture. The pressure towards the high-rise buildings is unequivocal among today's world cities, but preserving Budapest's unique cityscape and its very diverse architecture, along with green areas, forces Budapest to balance between them. The [[Contemporary architecture]] has wide margin in the city. [[Public space]]s attract heavy investment by business and government also, so that the city has gained entirely new (or renovated and redesigned) squares, parks and monuments, for example the city central [[Kossuth Lajos tér, Budapest|Kossuth Lajos square]], [[Deák Ferenc tér|Deák Ferenc square]] and [[Liberty Square (Budapest)|Liberty Square]]. Numerous landmarks have been created in the last decade in Budapest, like the [[National Theatre (Budapest)|National Theatre]], Palace of Arts, [[Rákóczi Bridge]], [[Megyeri Bridge]], [[Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport#Sky Court between Terminal 2A and 2B|Budapest Airport Sky Court]] among others, and millions of square meters of new [[office buildings]] and [[residential area|apartments]]. But there are still large opportunities in [[real estate development]] in the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.joneslanglasalle.eu/ResearchLevel1/Budapest%20high%20streets%20_%20electronic%20version.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.joneslanglasalle.eu/ResearchLevel1/Budapest%20high%20streets%20_%20electronic%20version.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |title=Budapest High Street Overview 2013 |publisher=[[Jones Lang LaSalle]] |date=October 2013 |access-date=5 May 2014}}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/asset-management/emerging-trends-real-estate/assets/pwc-emerging-trends-in-real-estate-2013-europe.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/asset-management/emerging-trends-real-estate/assets/pwc-emerging-trends-in-real-estate-2013-europe.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |title=Emerging Trends in Real Estate, 2013 Europe |publisher=[[PricewaterhouseCoopers]] |year=2013 |access-date=5 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbre.hu/hu_en/news_events/news_detail?p_id=16464 |title=Bulls return to the European commercial real estate market (Budapest) |publisher=[[CBRE Group]] |date=24 March 2014 |access-date=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505234228/http://www.cbre.hu/hu_en/news_events/news_detail?p_id=16464 |archive-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{Wide image|SzentAnnaFotoThalerTamas34.JPG|800px|'''From left''': Saint Anne Parish; [[Matthias Church]]; [[Fisherman's Bastion]]; and Stigmatisation of Saint Francis Church}}