A Walk through the Old Streets

Let us invite you for a pleasant autumn walk in a historic neighbourhood, among old buildings and historic monuments, through narrow streets in Hungary’s first World Heritage sight. Wondering around in the Buda castle quarter, even if aimlessly or on a passing whim, you will surely collect many unforgettable memories, but below we’ll suggest a few concrete sights that are generally not included in the usual tourist routes.
The royal palace is a must-see in the castle quarter, but it would be a shame to limit your visit to this part of the area and miss out on some of the historic buildings in the former middle-class residential district. Let us start the walk in Úri Street, which owes its fame not only to being a long street that runs almost across the entire castle quarter from north to south, but also to the fact that it includes the only multi-storeyed gothic-style building in the quarter, at number 31. Just a couple buildings down the street, number 37 is also worth visiting: a baroque building that has a medieval keep in its yard.
Look for a nearby narrow alleyway called Balta Lane to reach Tárnok Street where three old buildings, once belonging to tradesmen, at number 14, 16 and 18 are worth special attention. The first building (under number 14) is decorated by a fresco originating from the 15th century, while the last (under number 18) includes the oldest pharmacy in the quarter.
After returning to Úri Street – and walking from south to north – first visit a 750-year-old building called the Veszprém House at number 38, whose yard includes a Gothic sedile. You will find Dárda Alley behind the building at number 41 where you can view the oldest Gothic architectural features in the castle quarter: the remains of a wall and gate from the 15th century. Continue your walk passing by impressive palaces until you reach the block that houses the Museum of Military History. There is a most amazing view from this part of the castle quarter, but unlike the panorama that opens from the funicular railway or the Fishermen’s Bastion on the opposite side; this is not a view of busy Pest, but the quiet and green undulating hills of Buda.

If you are keen to explore further medieval memories in the Buda castle quarter, then we recommend you to visit the numerous squares that are just as representative of what life used to be like in this quarter as the old buildings. For instance Dísz Square – which received its current name only in the 18th century after the military parades and change of guards that took place on the square – used to be the main square of the medieval town. Fairs used to be held here and large crowds would appear for the executions there were carried out in the square. In 1457, brother to the later famous Hungarian king Mathias, László Hunyadi was beheaded by Laszlo the 5th in this square.
András Hess Square was named after the printer who published the Chronicles of Buda. Hess’ printing house was operating in a building at number 4 and the Chronicles of Buda was the first book printed in Hungary. The House to the Red Hedgehog is at number 3: a famous cabaret used to operate here and the first theatre performances in Buda were held here from the 1760s. The buildings in the square well represent the different architectural styles that characterise the castle quarter: neo-classic stylistic elements are freely mixed with baroque and gothic elements, just as it was demanded by the tastes of the builders who worked in the quarter and of course by the trend of the time.