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Description
Buda Castle (Budavári Palota in Hungarian, Burgpalast in the German of the Austrio-Hungarian kings) exists since the 13th century. The last reconstruction dates to Franz-Joseph of the House of Habsburg (1848-1916), Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. The Barroque structure of Maria Theresa (1740-1780) was rendered more austere and neo-classical, on the model of the royal residences of other nations.

The building was completed in 1912, just two years short of the outbreak of the First World War: the Habsburg monarchy had just six more years before the Austrio-Hungarian Empire was split up and transformed into republics. In 1945, heavy fighting between the Axis forces in Budapest and the Red Army erupted, and Soviet artillery caused heavy damage.

The castle was rebuilt, though with more modernist elements. The regime considered the original too ornate, too showy. There have been plans to restore the facades, but none have been executed so far.

This image shows the Krisztinaváros Wing (the wing facing the Budapest district of that name, which refers to Archducess Maria Christina, daughter of Maria Theresa). It now contains the Hungarian National Library (Országos Széchényi Könyvtár), and a strong room where the Crown of Saint Stephen was kept until 1944 (it now resides in the Parliament). The library contains 8 million items, including 1 million manuscripts. Amongs them are codices of King Matthias (1443-1490), and the oldest work in Hungarian (12th century).

The facade, as shown, faces away from the Danube and Pest.

Description
Buda Castle (Budavári Palota in Hungarian, Burgpalast in the German of the Austrio-Hungarian kings) exists since the 13th century. The last reconstruction dates to Franz-Joseph of the House of Habsburg (1848-1916), Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. The Barroque structure of Maria Theresa (1740-1780) was rendered more austere and neo-classical, on the model of the royal residences of other nations.

The building was completed in 1912, just two years short of the outbreak of the First World War: the Habsburg monarchy had just six more years before the Austrio-Hungarian Empire was split up and transformed into republics. In 1945, heavy fighting between the Axis forces in Budapest and the Red Army erupted, and Soviet artillery caused heavy damage.

The castle was rebuilt, though with more modernist elements. The regime considered the original too ornate, too showy. There have been plans to restore the facades, but none have been executed so far.

This image shows the Krisztinaváros Wing (the wing facing the Budapest district of that name, which refers to Archducess Maria Christina, daughter of Maria Theresa). It now contains the Hungarian National Library (Országos Széchényi Könyvtár), and a strong room where the Crown of Saint Stephen was kept until 1944 (it now resides in the Parliament). The library contains 8 million items, including 1 million manuscripts. Amongs them are codices of King Matthias (1443-1490), and the oldest work in Hungarian (12th century).

The facade, as shown, faces away from the Danube and Pest.