Fisherman's Bastion

Don't let the medieval look fool you. Fisherman's bastion budapest history only dates back to the project's start in 1895. Architect Frigyes Schulek designed it to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of the Hungarian Conquest. Those seven stone towers represent the seven Magyar chieftains who led their tribes here in 896 AD. The name itself is a nod to the Middle Ages. Back then, a fish market sat nearby and the Guild of Fishermen defended this part of the castle wall. World War II bombs battered the stone, but János Schulek (the original architect's son) led a full restoration. It joined the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1987 as a core piece of the Buda Castle Quarter.

This is Neo-Romanesque design at its most theatrical. Frigyes Schulek built it to match the restoration of the budapest fisherman's bastion church (Matthias Church) just steps away. The white limestone glows even when the Hungarian sky turns grey. Look at the seven conical towers. They mimic the nomadic tents of the original Magyar tribes. In the center of the courtyard, you'll see the bronze equestrian statue of St. Stephen. He stands on a pedestal carved with scenes from his life as Hungary's first king. Unlike a real fortress, this wall is full of wide windows and open loggias. It's an invitation to look out. The double staircase rising from the Víziváros district features statues of 10th-century soldiers standing guard at the gate.

The bastion exists for the view. It's one of the best urban overlooks in Europe. Because it sits on the Buda crest, you get a straight shot of the Hungarian Parliament Building. You're close enough to see the Gothic spires but high enough to see how the river flows around it. Look past the Chain Bridge to find St. Stephen’s Basilica rising over the flat rooftops of Pest. On a clear morning, you can see all the way to the Gödöllő hills. The experience shifts with the calendar. Summer brings a river full of boats and green trees. Winter adds a layer of fog and frost to the stone arches. Each arch acts as a natural picture frame for the landmarks below.

Bring your camera early. The best shot uses the upper arcade arches to frame the Parliament building. To get it without a crowd of tourists, arrive within 30 minutes of sunrise. The morning light hits the Parliament facade directly. At sunset, the building falls into shadow. Use a wide-angle lens on the main staircase to capture the leading lines of the stone. Turn around to face Matthias Church for an elevated view of those colorful Zsolnay roof tiles. For portraits, stick to the lower terrace balconies. Night shots are just as good. The warm yellow floodlights on the bastion pop against a deep blue twilight sky. Watch your step on the narrow walkways if you use a tripod.