The Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the most famous monuments in Budapest, one that you absolutely should not miss visiting. It is located on Buda Hill, which provides you with a view of the whole city. The Bastion is part of the nearby Buda Castle. The hill, which can be reached on foot or using public transport, contains an entire “town”. The Fisherman’s Bastion is a part of that town, as well as being one of the most popular viewpoints in Budapest.
The Fisherman’s Bastion consists of 7 towers which represent the seven Hungarian leaders who together founded Hungary in 895. The entire complex was constructed between the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. Historically, the foot of the Buda Hill used to be the dwelling place of fishermen who came to the hill to sell what they had caught. The place where they lived was called Fisherman’s Town, which is where the name of the bastion came from.
During the reign of the Arpad dynasty, the hill was used as a resting place. In the Middle Ages, the hill was fortified. During the ensuing years, the bastion was destroyed several times by various invaders, but it was always rebuilt and enlarged. With its characteristic white color, the Fisherman’s Bastion resembles a castle at the top of the hill, next to which a real, a view completed by the big castle nearby. At the end of the 19th century, when the Bastion we see today was built, the cost of construction was estimated to have been around £800 000.
In the 18th century, vast vineyards were situated on the Buda hill. The Fisherman’s Bastion is 140 meters wide, with its southern passage being 40 meters wide, and its northern passage being slightly wider. The halls of the building resemble those of grand castles. The square in front of the building contains statues of Stephen I of Hungary, St. George, John Hunyadi, as well as that of Julian and Gerhardus.
The large white square in front of the Bastion is connected to the building by a white staircase. It leads you to the Bastion, which you can enter, walk around in, and climb its stairs to enjoy the view it offers. The Fisherman’s Bastion if one of the most important buildings in Budapest, and the entry is free of charge. It contains souvenir shops, a cobbled road, binoculars which will enable you to enjoy the view of the city and the Danube, cafes with a view of Budapest, as well as street artists.
The top of the bastion is a popular place for art exhibitions, DJ concerts and similar events. Inside the Bastion there is a small chapel, which was opened in 2013. The site can be visited individually or in organized tours, and it is located just a half hour walk away from Pest.
Author of the article: Ljubiša Đuričić
