Castle District tales: The best-kept secrets

Fisherman's Bastion is a very popular place in Budapest, the location and the view is exceptional. Do you know the story of the place? Did you know that just a few steps away a less well-known cloister is hiding? Join me for today's discovery in my city!

The white bastions over Budapest

Fairytale-like sights on the Castle Hill, the seven bastions like guards are standing with their white towers, symbolizing the seven chieftains, who led the nation into their new home to the Carpathian Basin. The structure was built on the remaining walls of the fortress and it was named after the fishermen's guild, who protected this part in the Middle Ages. There used to be little gate, that served as a direct connection to the Danube and fresh fish arrived through the passage early morning. The fish market was located just two corners away from today's Matthias church. The fortress overlooked the so called Watertown part of the city, that used to be the fishermen's home, who lived close to the Danube. The whole building complex features a rather romantic, old-fashioned mood, even though the modern structure was built at the end of the 19th century.

Right next to the Fishermen's Bastion, we can admire the oldest church of Buda, the Matthias Church. The original house of God served the locals since the 13th century. The coronation of the Hungarian kings used to take place at that very spot. During the Ottoman occupation it was used as the main mosque of Buda. Today it features a breathtaking Neo-Gothic style, the colored roof and the stain glass windows are taking us back to history. Inside a calm and warm atmosphere is settling down the mood. Now let's walk to a hidden beauty, located inside the Hotel Hilton. 

Old monastery courtyard inside the hotel

Just a few steps away from the busy crowd of tourists, enter the Hilton complex from the Monarchia Exlusive jewelry shop, make a turn right and you will arrive to the courtyard of a monastery from the 13th century. A chapel used to be here before the cloister was constructed on spot. Basically the Hotel Hilton was built in the 70's on the ruins of a medieval cloister and school. The stone windows and the carved archways like a small museum can be visited for free.  From outside you will notice the Saint Nicholas tower immediately, that was restored in a Gothic style.

While entering, you can imagine the original size of the monastery, a school was linked right to the building, even King Matthias supported the college in the 15th century, at that time it had a good reputation all around Europe. During the Turkish period the place was damaged and started to fade. The Baroque time did not bring its shine back neither, the building was renovated, although it was used as a food storage for many years. Due to the Hilton construction, it was possible to preserve some old memories and a small museum part was created here. If you have a few minutes, have a look at it inside! On the corridor a temporary exhibition can be visited, right now you can admire the modern art works by Bubble Arts Projects at this unique site. 

Hope you loved this place as much as I do. Let's explore Budapest next week as well!