"Buda and Pest: Tale of Two Cities" a Budapest Travel Page by Heniko

Budapest posses very rich history as well as vibrant culture. This is what gives it its charm. It blends the old with the new, along it natural beauty making it really the Queen of the Danube.

As one of Europe's truly great capital cities, first time visitors are usually overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the city. Divided in two by the Danube, the numerous vantage points from hilly Buda and Obuda offer spectacular views of a flat, busy, city that manages to surprise and enthral in equal measure, reminders of Budapest's rich and often tragic history are ever present. Indeed, the scars of the nation's crushed 1956 uprising (which have yet to fade from the nation's psyche) are still evident from the many bullet hole ridden buildings around the city. Of course, one hopes that now, following Hungary's accession to the EU on 1 May 2004, its younger citizens can take advantage of the opportunity and stability that lie ahead in a united Europe. Pest on the river's eastern side, a renewed sense of vibrancy and pride has taken hold, with many of the fine apartment blocks that turned Vienna and Budapest into two of Europe's most beautiful cities (during the early 1900s) now being restored to their former glory.

And, most importantly, the city has retained its unique character, while the locals remain just as polite, stubborn and individualistic as ever.

Budapest has had a long and tortured history, with regular cycles of settlement, development and destruction. Although there is evidence of habitation in the area going back tens of thousands of years, it was only with the relentless expansion of the Roman Empire that the true strategic and geographical value of the territory was recognised and exploited. The Romans conquered the Region in around 35BC and it became part of the Roman Empire within the province of Pannonia. The Roman settlement was called Aquincum and its ruins are to be found in the Obuda district of modern day Budapest. Aquincum served both as a trading settlement and garrison town, protecting other strategic interests along the Danube.

That said, there's a new spirit in the country since the fall of Communism, with Budapest being the main stimulus for change (as well as taking the lion share of new investment from the west). Indeed, one hopes that now, following Hungary's accession to the EU on 1 May 2004, the country can take advantage of the opportunities and stability that lie ahead in a united Europe.

Slowly regaining its position as the Paris of the east (although no doubt the residents of Prague would dispute this), Budapest is a rare mix of old and new, with many reminders of its turbulent past. It is not a city which can be appreciated on a day trip. So linger for a few days, soak up the unique atmosphere and spirit of the people and enjoy!