BUDAPEST

Christmas in Hungary is the most important festival of the year.

In fact, since the Christmas celebrations also include those for St. Stephen, the founder of the Hungarian State, for this people, Christmas is not just a religious festival but also nationwide!

Budapest: One of the most majestic capitals of Eastern Europe, rich in different styles between them and yet bound by polychrome changing architectures that become the mirror of the town. A past that is reflected in the waters of the Danube, which divides into two parts, the Hungarian capital and offers glimpses of rare beauty.

The most famous is held in the capital Budapest, but there are just as beautiful in smaller towns. A Györ, city of art, the Christmas Market will be held from November 26 to December 23 in the city center, along the Baross Gábor utca and squares Széchenyi tér and Megyeház tér. Sopron, other cities, hosting a Christmas Market between December 4 and December 22 in the old town, the Castle District (Várkerület) and the Old Market.

In the last weeks of the year in Gyor breathe the magic atmosphere of Christmas. During this period, everything is lit and decorated for the holiday, Christmas music is heard everywhere and you also feel the inviting scent of mulled wine.

The purpose of the Christmas Market is to become the center of Gyor an ideal place to host events and cultural events that are organized high-level and to give space to the products of folk.

Visitors are always fascinated by the atmosphere of the place. Christmas trees decorated wooden houses where you can taste the mulled wine and where artisans sell their products, as decorations for the Christmas tree, small gift items made of wood, handmade toys for children decorations for the Christmas tree, candles, glass, ceramics, traditional fabrics. You can also buy the pastry very thin and tasty local delicacies such as sweets (mezeskalacs), candied fruit, etc..

The appointment with the true craftsmanship Hungarian takes place every year in the same places: the Town Hall Square (Megyehaza), the Szechenyi Square and the Via Baross.

Also this year, events are inevitable manifestation of ice sculptors, roast suckling pig (which in Hungary is a good luck charm) and the Christmas tree.

Children can see real live animals and pet them and get close to a train takes them around in the city center.

On stage in Szechenyi Square every weekend cultural events and programs are held for children. Also this year is very wide offer of programs for leisure. Among the nearly 50 cultural programs are included performances by orchestras and folk bands, folk dance groups, choirs and classical music events.

During Advent, the Town Hall opens its doors to the public thus giving the opportunity to the parties concerned to admire this impressive building not only from outside but also inside.

www.gyorivasar.hu

A Köszeg holding a Christmas Market December 7 to 19, in the main square, the Jurisics ter. Szeged is the scene of a Christmas Market from November 26 to December 23, located in three places in the city center: Széchenyi tér, Dugonics tér and Dóm tér.

In the latter two, it also carries a beautiful Antique Fair (Régiségek Vasara Szegeden). Other Christmas markets are held in the city of Pécs cities located near the border with Croatia, Veszprem, next to the Balaton, Szombathely, near the border with Austria, of Eger in Hungary northeastern , and Miskolc.

In every city, besides its Christmas Markets are organized many other events, traces of ancient traditions, such as the feast of Mikuláš (Santa Klaus) and the preparation of the Advent Calendar.

A Györ is a varied program of events, the so-called Winter Festival of Györ (Györi Téli Fesztivál), which is traditionally held in the Town Hall Square (Városház tér).

In addition to classical music or modern, of the events are inevitable manifestation of ice sculptors, roast suckling pig (which in Hungary is a good luck charm) and the opening of the Town Hall to the public.

Also Köszeg, in addition to the craft market, is hosting a Christmas Festival.

In addition to the usual activities, such as events for children and the living Nativity scene, here is also the House of Crafts, a presentation of rare and special professions, and keep the Feast of Palinka (Hungarian brandy) and a beauty contest for Santa Claus!

The beautiful town of Szentendre Art, located in the bend of the Danube, offers December 2 to 31 different concerts in churches, a living nativity scene in Piazza Rab Raby, events Christmas in Mill Arts and New Year’s Eve, a public dance in Piazza Fö.

Market Vörösmarty Square

A visit to the traditional Christmas market in Budapest (Budapesti Karácsonyi Vasar) is not to be missed. The fair takes place in the central Vörösmarty Square, richly decorated for the occasion and enlightened by the beautiful colored lights of the big Christmas tree, making the atmosphere incredibly welcoming. In addition to the pleasant meeting of colors and lights, also shapes and beautiful landscapes characteristic of the crib that vibrate against the backdrop of charm and felt this religious Christmas Market: it is no coincidence that, according to a famous American magazine, it is considered one of the 10 best in the world of its kind!

Do not miss a visit to the traditional Christmas market in Budapest, organized as usual until December 24 in the central Vörösmarty Square, richly decorated for the big event. According to a famous American magazine, this market is one of the 10 best in the world of its kind. Wrap Christmas atmosphere, colored lights of the big Christmas tree, figures and landscapes characteristic of the crib vibrate if by magic the whole Vörösmarty Square, while a traditional oven prepares the typical Christmas delicacies, starting with the bejgli traditional Hungarian Christmas cake with nuts and raisins or poppy seeds. At the market, then you can buy original gifts, choosing among the many crafts for sale made strictly of natural materials, and sample the best of Hungarian gastronomy Christmas, without neglecting to attend the beautiful nativity and re-enactments of ancient folk traditions, between the background of singing.

Immersed in this “parallel world”, you will be hit by the warm fragrance from a traditional oven, intent to prepare the typical Christmas delicacies of the place: the Bejgli (traditional cake with raisins and walnuts or poppy seeds), the Langos (a particular type fried corn bread rubbed with garlic cream, cheese or other sauces), the Kenyérlangos (a flat bread baked in clay ovens), the Kurtoskalacs (sweet leavened cone-shaped sugar coated or nut), the Retes ( Hungarian strudel) and the cake rolled on skewer (typical of Transylvania).

Other specialties are grilled sausages (kolbász), grilled meat (Pecsenye), the fudge, chocolates to hang on (Szalon cukor) filled with marzipan, fruit jelly or vanilla custard, cookies at ginger, roasted chestnuts, wine Tokaj, the apricot brandy and mulled wine (bor Forralt) flavored with honey, cinnamon, cloves and sugar cane, which you can keep the cup in which it is served.

During the tasting, the other, then, suggest the stalls original gifts, choose from among the many crafts for sale, made strictly of natural materials. Since this is a market of pure craftsmanship, Népmuvészeti Egyesuletec Szövetsége (Hungarian Association of traditional art) makes a very rigorous selection of the 100 exhibitors and products can be sold. Among them, you can find beautiful and refined porcelain of Herend and Zsolnay, carved glass, hats and gloves fleece lamb, ceramics, stationery, calendars, articles of gold and wrought iron.

Not only Market

The path to the Christmas Market in Budapest continues with re-enactments of ancient traditions.

In Vörösmarty Square is a wooden crib entirely hand carved and during the market are made nativity spectacular for its quality and beauty.

The Advent Calendar is set up on the building pastry “Gerbaud”, of which 24 of those windows become a huge Advent calendar. The opening ceremony is accompanied by the music of a brass band.

In the center of Vörösmarty Square is a huge Advent wreath in which each of the four Sunday before Christmas, lights a candle. The ceremony is always announced to the public square by some as “angels.”

There are many entertainment shows.

Among the costumed historical re-enactments of popular traditions and festivals of the country, dating back to ancient times and are reproduced also in folk dances and folk costume.

In the days before Christmas several theater companies recall the Nativity, while throughout the Advent successive concerts and choirs and folk music, and, for children, puppet shows.

Castle Market Castle NagytétényNel Nagytétény in the south-western outskirts of Budapest, there is another Christmas market, if possible, even more impressive. Normally this ancient aristocratic Baroque houses a museum of antiques with over 300 masterpieces, produced between 400 and 800. In December, however, it is the setting for a Christmas market on the occasion of which are also held concerts and children’s programs, especially on weekends.

www.nagytetenyi.hu

Among the special features offered by this exhibition, there are artisan products of the monks of the monastery of Bakonybél, who sell their honey, jam and their infusions.

18.11.2012 – 27.12.2012

Christmas Market in Budapest

Vörösmarty Square

All daily from 10.00 to 20.00

24.12 from 10.00 to 14.00

02.12.2012 – 02.02.2013

Christmas Market at Castle Nagytétény (Budapest)

Tuesday – Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00

Budapest is one of the most beautiful capitals of Europe.

In 2002, city-sites, including the Castle District, the River Danube and Andrássy Avenue, were included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this beautiful city of Eastern Europe there are buildings of almost all ages, the age of the Romans to the Gothic, Baroque to Secessionist, to the innovations of contemporary art.

The centerpiece of the neighborhood is of course the Buda Castle, one of the most famous and most visited tourist attractions of Budapest.

This is the Royal Palace, considered one of the symbols of Hungary, as was the site of battles and wars since the thirteenth century and for 700 years it was the residence of Hungarian rulers. Built in the Middle Ages, between the fourteenth and fifteenth century the building was one of the most important courts of Europe, thanks to the presence of many kings devoted to a generous patronage. Unfortunately, however, the Gothic splendor of the royal court was the victim of the siege of 1686, when the troops united Christian Europe liberated Buda from the Turks, which did not spared the castle. As if that were not enough, the monument went to meet other disasters throughout history, such as the fire in 1849 during the War of Independence, which destroyed part of the building, and what happened in World War II, which destroyed the interior . Currently, thanks to the work of reconstruction and restoration, the complex of the Castle lives with his neo-Baroque appearance. On the contrary, the ancient Gothic structure is almost nothing left, except for a two-storey building rebuilt in the residential part of the building. However, during construction, have been brought to light, beneath the plaster century, medieval facades and windows. The Castle complex, which is since 2002 part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, is composed of many other palaces and buildings worth visiting. It boasts three churches and a theater, but also hosts major national cultural institutions: the Hungarian National Gallery and, within it, the National Széchenyi Library (Széchenyi Nemzeti Könyvtár), the Budapest History Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art , inside the Museum Ludwig.

Matthias Church, located in Trinity Square, also known as Main Church of Coronations of Buda Castle, the most beautiful and most famous Catholic church in Budapest.

Thanks to its excellent location, view on the Pest side, determines the image of the Castle District. The royal basilica, which officially took the name of Church of Our Lady, was built in several stages. According to church tradition, it was founded in 1015 by King Stephen I of Hungary (St. Stephen of Hungary, patron saint), after which he went on to build King Béla IV, during the thirteenth century. In the following years it degraded since remained unattended, but was rebuilt by the end of ‘400 by King Matthias Corvinus, who avendovi held both of his wedding, he gave his name, placing the Royal coat of arms on the facade of the tower. During the Turkish occupation the church was stripped of all Christian decorations, only to come back enriched after the reconquest of the Christians, who turned it into a baroque building. His recent form is due to the great neo-Gothic reconstruction of the nineteenth century, designed by the architect Frigyes Schulek between 1873 and 1896, which made it possible to restore in particular the majestic bell tower of 80 meters, inside it houses a collection of religious art and some Hungarian treasures. After the destruction suffered in World War II, the church was finally restored in the 60s.

The Basilica S. Stefano is the city’s cathedral.

Its dome is visible from anywhere in the city and being open to 360 degrees, offers a panoramic view of the city. The construction of the building, built in classical style, lasted from 1851 until 1905. The basilica holds the most important relic of the history of the Hungarians: the “Holy Right”, the mummified right hand of the first Hungarian king and patron of the city, from which the church was named. Among the famous works of art that contains the building, there are statues of Alajos Stróbl and the painting by Gyula Benczúr, entitled “Santo Stefano offers protection in the country of the Virgin Mary.”

The Chain Bridge is the first permanent bridge in the Hungarian capital.

Especially at night, when it is fully illuminated, it offers a breathtaking view, also saw the extraordinary background of Buda Castle. The bridge was built at the request of Count István Széchenyi, the designer Tierney Clark and Adam Clark eponymous manufacturer between 1839 and 1849. The Second World War did not spare even this bridge over the Danube. After the devastation, however, it was rebuilt in 1949 on the occasion of its centenary. Today you can pick up even walk to the gallery on the Buda side of the bridge where there is a beautiful view of the Danube and other bridges that ride.

To keep in theme with beautiful views, we must speak of the Fishermen’s Bastion.

It takes its name from a fish market that PERFORMED in the Middle Ages in this place, but it was actually built in the early ‘900, on the ruins of the ancient walls, as a bastion of defense, which in reality has never been used . Its terrace offers a wonderful view, that the promenade in front of the National Gallery opens in front of visitors, allowing you to admire Pest and one of the most beautiful stretches of the Danube.

Margaret Island is situated in the middle of the Danube, between Margaret and Arpad bridges, and is said to be inhabited already inhabited in Roman times.

At one time it was divided into three islands (the island of Painters, the island and the island of Seaside Lepri) which, after centuries of neglect due to the Turkish invasion, were united in the nineteenth century for reasons of embankments. At the same time other improvements were implemented, such as the construction of a new bridge side to allow you to not only reach the island by sea. The island is home to some buildings, special requests, such as the water tower, which was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, the musical fountain, outdoor theater, the church of San Michele and some ruins dating back hundreds of years ago. Among these, there are also the remains of the monastery in which he lived Margaret, daughter of King Béla IV, and the ruins of two churches belonging to the monastic orders.

But most of all, Margaret Island is home to the most beautiful park in the capital, about 100 hectares and is completely pedestrian. Inside you will find Japanese-style gardens, French, English, a large outdoor pool, and in the north, the Termál Hotel Margitsziget, a large spa that treats diseases of the motor system.

The Parliament is the largest building in Hungary, situated on the bank of the Danube and the entry of Kossuth Square.

The architectural ensemble was built in neo-Gothic style between 1884 and 1904 according to the plans of Imre Steindl. The building has 691 rooms, is 268 meters long and 120 meters wide, and has a dome that reaches 96 meters in height. The complex and full of satue, inside there are 152 depicting floral subjects, while outside in the garden and there are more than 80 representing heroes, generals and kings, as well as the coats of arms of the city. The halls of Parliament are decorated with frescoes and tapestries created by leading artists 800 while its Library has over 500,000 volumes. The central staircase which adorns the facade of the building is exposed to a bronze statue of Steindl, the architect who built the complex. Since 2000 the building are exposed to the public symbols of the coronation, the crown of St. Stephen, the scepter, the orb and the sword that dates back to the Renaissance.

The hotel is home to the Hungarian Parliament from July 1843, when it was decided to transfer this institution on the right bank of the Danube, ie along the Pest area, perhaps to counter the unique power of the Royal Castle, located on the left bank of the Danube, that is, in Buda.

Heroes’ Square (Heroes square) is the most spectacular square in the capital, located at the entrance of City Park. Visitors arriving from the direction of Andrássy Avenue, is the central column of the Millennium Monument to welcome, with its height of 36 meters. At the top, the archangel Gabriel is holding the Holy Crown and the apostolic double cross. The wonderful architecture of the square is due to the imposing buildings of the Art Gallery and those of the Museum of Fine Arts, located on the left and right side of the monument.

From the square leads then to the City Park, a favorite of families on weekends. In addition to the Zoo, the Grand Circus and the Amusement Park, the green heart of Budapest is also home to the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, famous all over the world.

Budapest is considered the city of spas, since it is the only capital in the world that can boast almost 100 thermal springs, 12 thermal baths to healing effects and ancient Turkish baths still in operation.

The Széchenyi Thermal Bath, consisting of a set of buildings and as many as 15 pools are not only one of Europe’s largest bathing complexes, but the bathrooms are considered the most famous and happy throughout the Hungarian capital. Companies of chess fans, dipped into the steaming water up to his neck, is one of the peculiarities of the bathrooms, but are also features outdoor pools, surrounded by the arms of the beautiful building. In this and in the other baths citizens, almost everywhere has been stored the furniture in Secession style, made of mosaics, stained glass windows and statues.

The Dohány Street Synagogue is the largest in Europe and is also one of the most impressive monuments of the city. The synagogue was built in Byzantine-Moorish style and his strength is in the garden, where the sculptor Imre Varga has made his work called “The Tree of Life.” This sculpture has imprinted on each leaf the names of the martyrs of the Holocaust. Another monument in memory of the Holocaust is located along the Danube on the Pest side, and a row of iron shoes in memory of the Jews shot here.

The first course in the world is known Hungarian goulash (Gulyás). It is not a stew, as you see in most of the world, but a thick soup, prepared with care and skill. Other dishes are much loved by Hungarian fish soup, chicken with paprika, homemade stews and freshwater fish, such as grilled pike and trout with almonds. The foie gras is another local delicacy, that the Hungarians are baked, grilled, cold or hot. One of the ingredients in the kitchen Hungarian sour cream, used to increase the creaminess of the dishes. Among the finest pastries are the millefeuille (Retes), the Somlói galuska and chestnut cream. The warm pastries, such as pasta with ricotta (túrós csusza), are exceptional.

As you know, Hungary is a major wine producer, with an annual production of 4.2 million hectoliters, which are aged in 22 wine-growing regions historically. Budapest is without doubt one of the reference points for the storage and bottling. Among the most famous Hungarian wine is undoubtedly the Tokaj, which is known worldwide. Louis XIV, the Sun King, loved her so much that he gave him the honorary title of “Wine of kings, king of wines”. They are also the famous wines of the region of Lake Balaton, the Villány-bodied Siklósi, the wines of Eger, and Bull’s Blood of Eger (Egri Bikavér).

Cagliari is not connected with direct flight to Budapest.
closer to Rome flight is operated by Alitalia and Meridiana.
From Rome to Budapest for example operating flights December 7 to 10 (round Rome Fiumicino 9:10 -> Budapest Ferihegy 11:00, return 11:50 to 13:35) you spend even € 235.06 per person including taxes .
for those who have more time Kalariseventi recommend that you fly from Rome Fiumicino with Wizzair (www.wizzair.com) with operating flights December 6 to 10 including tax on the same route cira costs 84 euro, but traveling at night and you need to stay overnight return one night in Rome.

Book your hotel in Budapest: double room in 4 star hotel with breakfast from € 184 for 3 nights.