Hungary’s Capital City of Budapest Celebrates its 150th Anniversary

MIAMI, October 30, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Visit Hungary is excited to announce Budapest's 150th-anniversary celebration. Often referred to as the Spice of Europe, Budapest, Hungary's capital city, honors this milestone with culinary, music, and cultural festivals ranging from wine and gastronomy to music and culture. Drawing attention to the historic unification of Buda, Pest and Old Buda, in 1873, the anniversary pays tribute to its predecessors and one of the fastest-developing metropolises in Europe. Today, the city is home to impressive market halls, invigorating thermal baths, lavish literary cafés, grand architecture, and bustling nightlife.

“We invite you to join us in this historic celebration of one of the world’s most iconic cities, Budapest. Its diversity, energy, and creative vibes, exemplify Hungary’s offering to locals and tourists alike,” said Zsuzsa Szégner, International Relations Director, Visit Hungary.

Culinary Delights

Cakes of the Year: Dessert lovers can enjoy this year’s winning cakes created to honor the occasion throughout more than 100 locales in Budapest. Winning cakes include Spicces Füge Respektus, which contains fig jelly and Tokaji Aszú, the world-famous wine of Hungary, and Kikelet cake, designed around a drop of black tea, with blueberries and a hint of lavender, completed by a vanilla white chocolate mousse and an almond and lemon sponge cake.

Tokaji Aszú Tasting: Considered the world’s oldest sweet wine, Tokaji Aszu is the best way to celebrate Budapest. Named after the town of Tokaj and the Hungarian word “aszu,” which means “dry,” visitors can participate in a tasting cruise experience along the Danube River and tasting tours throughout the city and nearby Etyek. 

Culture Lovers

Grand Novel Budapest: In November 2023, a Budapest-centric book, comprising 23 stories by 23 Hungarian authors, will debut as a literary tribute to the city's anniversary.

Music meets Spa: Join the festivities by participating in Sparty, the world-famous party series. The city is home to more than a hundred geothermal springs, and each year from February to December, locals and visitors participate in this weekly event at the largest medicinal bath in Europe, located in the City Park area. 

Renowned Architecture

Chain Bridge Reopens: Once connecting the cities of Buda and Pest, central to the theme of this year’s anniversary, the Chain Bridge officially reopened in August 2023. The picturesque historic stone bridge straddles the Danube between Széchenyi Square in Pest, and Clark Ádám Square in Buda. Offering some of the city’s most stunning views, the bridge is connected by the grandiose Parliament in Pest, while Castle Hill towers at the Buda end.

The Lions of Budapest: Feline lovers will enjoy the presence of lions throughout Budapest. Portrayed in the coat of arms, and as guards of the iconic Chain Bridge, replicas of the guarding lions will be placed at iconic locations throughout the city creatively, decorated by local artists. 

Source: Visit Hungary