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The foundations of the old castle were laid by IV. Béla in 1255. The old fortress was replaced by a palace during the reign of King and Emperor Zsigmond (1387-1437) which was broadened by King Mátyás (1458-1490). During the 150-year Turkish occupation the palace fell into ruin then Hillebrandt reconstructed it in Baroque style during the reign of Mária Terézia (1740-1780). The new building could also not avoid its destiny; it was destroyed in the conflagration after the assault of 1849. The reconstruction made at the turn of the century hid totally the old walls which turned up again only later. The construction was finished in 1904 according to the plans of Miklós Ybl and Alajos Hauszmann. At the end of World War II German troops were pushed here and after the assault of Budapest the palace burnt totally down. At the present time three major museums and the Széchenyi István Library operates in it. Among the curiosities of the library the 32 pieces of Corvina, the Pray-codex, the Gestas of Anonymus and the Szenci-Codex can be found here as well. The book stock of Kossuth, Deák and other leading figures of the Hungarian history are held in a separate collection.

Transportation: Buda side, from Moszkva Square Bus No. 15, Castle bus, Furnicular lift, Bus No. 16, 105 from Deák Square to Clark Ádám Square then walking to the castle

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