For the past few days, I’ve been thinking about the two sisters – Buda and Pest, separated in the middle by their brother Danube! And I decided that I should return there, even if just in my thoughts. The first thing that always comes to mind is the beautiful white towers on one of the hills. From there, incredible views unfold, and you can feel yourself falling in love with this amazing city!
Yes, you guessed it! These are the Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest, and today I want to tell you all about them.
In fairytales, there’s always a castle on a hill, which you reach by climbing many stairs, revealing incredible views along the way. And when you’re in Budapest, it feels as if the fairytale comes to life before your eyes when you look up at the top of one of the hills in the former Pest side of the city. There, you’ll find the beautiful white towers, which are among the most visited spots in the Hungarian capital!
Were the towers perhaps used as set pieces for a Disney movie? Or maybe they served as protection against something? Unfortunately, no – they are purely decorative. But let’s not keep you in suspense – let’s take a step back in history for a moment 😊
The Fishermen’s Bastion was built between 1895 and 1902 as part of a series of events designed to celebrate Hungary’s 1,000th anniversary.
The entire complex is inspired by the architectural style of the early Middle Ages, when it was popular and fashionable for buildings to be constructed in the neo-Romanesque style. Interestingly, there is a lot of symbolism related to Hungary’s past. Exactly 1,000 years ago, the first Hungarian king began his reign, and to mark this milestone, the complex was erected. The Bastion features 7 towers, symbolizing the 7 Hungarian chieftains who led their tribes here to settle in 895 AD. A statue of Saint Stephen (erected in 1906) stands here as well; he was also the first Hungarian king, ruling from 1000 to 1038 AD. 1,000 years of history, collected and presented in an elegant and impressive way!
The architect of the Bastion is Frigyes Schulek, who also restored and redesigned Matthias Church (the Church of the Virgin Mary). The construction of the Fishermen’s Bastion coincided with the restoration of the church, and both share the same architectural style. The T-shaped design of the bastion was meant to surround the church, while also enhancing its beauty, as well as connecting the hilltop of the castle with the fishermen’s village by the Danube.
The bastion was built as an observation terrace with watchtowers at the base of a section of the castle walls (from the 17th-18th centuries, built after the siege of Buda Castle). Rather than constructing thick, solid stone walls, the idea was to create a panoramic terrace for the locals, as Buda Castle was no longer considered a military stronghold. A romantic idea was incorporated, allowing the residents to recall the old times and feel as if they were in a fairy tale. The main goal was to immerse visitors in history, take them back in time, and let them imagine everything in a very real way.
The ceremonial wide stairs leading to the Fisherman’s Bastion provide a dramatic entrance to the Buda Castle landmarks and offer views of the surrounding sights of Pest. The staircase features additional historical statues, including the Statue of John Hunyadi, the Statue of Saint George the Dragon Slayer, and numerous soldiers guarding the gate (at the top of the stairs, beneath the arch).
The bastion was damaged during World War II, but it was quickly restored by the architect’s son. By the 1980s, the walls of the Bastion had turned gray due to household vapors and urban air pollution. Additionally, many of the statues had been left in neglect and ruin—some had lost their limbs, others had faces that were deteriorating, and so on. Thanks to the local residents, who pressured the government and the capital to contribute to the huge costs of restoration, the Fisherman’s Towers have been fully restored.
During the construction of the Fisherman’s Bastion, the medieval underground chapel of Saint Michael was uncovered and part of it was incorporated into the Bastion. You can descend into the chapel from the Fisherman’s Bastion.
The biggest change around the Fisherman’s Bastion occurred in the 1970s, when the second five-star Hilton hotel in Budapest was built, located right behind the Bastion’s towers.
The Hilton Hotel opened in 1976 in a dazzling new building, in true American Dream style, with shiny windows and modern technology that was rarely seen in Hungary at the time. Many people did not like the new hotel, as the modern building, with its reflective windows, stood in stark contrast to the historic image of the castle.
From here, you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Budapest, the Danube River, and the city’s historic landmarks. You can sit on the benches, take cover in the arcades when it snows or rains, and during summer days, you can also find shade and coolness. You can stand on the balconies and enjoy the view – this may be one of the most romantic places in Budapest. Here, you can do anything – even imagine that you are a king, and this is your castle, picturing the lands and subjects in the direction your gaze falls. The place is truly magical! If you get tired of daydreaming and fantasizing, you can visit the Marzipan Museum for a sweet treat. 😊
There are several theories explaining the origin of the name Fisherman’s Bastion. One says that the walls were protected by fishermen who lived under the walls in a settlement also known as Budapest’s Fishermen’s District, and they also defended the walls during wartime.
Others suggest that the name was simply used in memory of the fishermen who lived by the Danube River.
The third theory suggests that the fish market at the castle near Matthias Church gave its name to the Fisherman’s Bastion. But whatever the reason, everyone loves the name and the terrace for enjoying the views and atmosphere.
No matter how long your stay in Budapest, make sure to take a few minutes to visit the Bastion for its beautiful setting and charming views.
