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How did Buda Castle change from the 13th century through World War II?
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Budapest
Central Budapest, looking north along the Danube River, with the Parliament Building on the east bank.
Buda Castle, located on Castle Hill, has undergone significant transformations since its inception in the 13th century.1
- 13th Century: A fortress was originally constructed on the site. Following the Mongol devastation of 1241, King BĂ©la IV granted citizens the right to settle within the fortified castle in 1244.12
- Renaissance Era: The palace was notably rebuilt by Matthias I, though his death in 1490 initiated a period of decline.2
- Ottoman Period: The Turks held Buda from 1541 until 1686, after which little of the medieval palace remained.2
- 18th Century: During the reign of Maria Theresa (1740â1780), a large Baroque palace replaced the earlier structures.1
- World War II: The castle was repeatedly damaged or destroyed throughout its history, most recently being razed during World War II.1
Following the war, the palace was restored, with the project completed in the mid-1970s. Today, the Buda Castle complex houses the National Széchényi Library, the Budapest History Museum, and the Hungarian National Gallery.1