Budapest’s Districts: A Tapestry of History and Culture
Budapest, the vibrant capital of Hungary, is not just a city but a mosaic of districts, each with its own unique flavor and history. The city’s layout, a blend of ancient pathways and modern boulevards, tells the tale of its evolution over the centuries. Let’s embark on a journey through these districts, understanding their significance and what makes each one stand out.
A Historical Overview
The Budapest we see today underwent a significant transformation in the late 19th century. However, the broad avenues from that era merely intersected and framed the older, historic quarters. These quarters, shaped by Budapest’s rich history, are often referred to by district names. Some of these names hark back to ancient villages that were eventually enveloped by the city’s expansion, while others recall former administrative boroughs. Though these names are now informal, they continue to define specific areas, each with its distinct character.
The Evolution of Districts
Budapest’s journey as a unified city began in 1873, merging three individual cities. Initially, it was divided into 10 districts. However, post-1950, with the expansion of Greater Budapest, the number of districts increased to 22, and one more was added in 1994. Today, the city boasts 23 districts: 6 in Buda, 16 in Pest, and 1 on Csepel Island.
A Closer Look at the Districts
- District I: Nestled in central Buda, this district is home to the historic Buda Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of Hungarian nationhood.
- District II & III: Located in northwest Buda, these districts offer a mix of residential and commercial spaces, with District III stretching to the northernmost part of Buda.
- District IV: Crossing over to Pest, this district marks the northern boundary of the eastern side of the city.
- District V: Right at the heart of Pest, this district is the epicenter of commercial and political activity.
- Districts VI to IX: Moving eastward and then south from District V, these districts are known for their bustling urban life, with a mix of residential, commercial, and cultural spots.
- District X: This district forms an outer circle in Pest and is primarily residential.
- Districts XI & XII: Jumping back to Buda, these districts move northward, with a mix of modern establishments and green spaces.
- Districts XIII to XX: Back in Pest, these districts form a semi-circle, moving southwards. They are a blend of residential areas, commercial hubs, and green spaces.
- District XXI: Located between two branches of the Danube, this district covers the northern part of a long island south of Budapest.
- District XXII: This district is in southwest Buda and is known for its serene residential areas.
- District XXIII: The southernmost district in Pest, it was a part of District XX until 1994 and is primarily residential.
District Overview
Below is a breakdown of Budapest’s 23 districts, showcasing their ordinal numbers, official designations (where applicable), and the encompassed neighborhoods. Each district often encompasses neighborhoods that carry the names of towns that once stood in Budapest.
- Buda: This is the western, hilly side of the Danube. It includes Districts I, II, III, XI, XII, and XXII. (Highlighted in red in the accompanying table.)
- Pest: Situated on the eastern, flat side of the Danube, it comprises Districts IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, and XXIII. (Marked in green in the related table.)
- Csepel: Predominantly an expansive island to the south, it’s marginally within Budapest’s boundaries. This region of the island is recognized as District XXI and is colloquially known as Csepel.
- Margaret Island: A recreational island under the direct administration of the Budapest Municipality. Previously, it was a segment of District XIII.
- Óbuda Island (Óbudai-sziget): This island is part of District III and has been the venue for the Sziget Festival since 1993.
| District number | District name | Neighborhoods | Sights |
|---|---|---|---|
| I. | Várkerület (Castle District) | Buda Castle, Tabán, Gellérthegy, Krisztinaváros, southern Víziváros | Buda Castle, Matthias Church, Hungarian National Gallery, Castle Hill Funicular, Sándor Palace, Fisherman’s Bastion, Gellért Hill, Labyrinth of Buda Castle |
| II. | 2nd District of Budapest | Adyliget, Budakeszierdő, Budaliget, Csatárka, Erzsébetliget, Erzsébettelek, Felhévíz, Gercse, Hársakalja, Hárshegy, Hűvösvölgy, Kővár, Kurucles, Lipótmező, Máriaremete, Nyék, Országút, Pálvölgy, Pasarét, Pesthidegkút-Ófalu, Petneházy-rét, Remetekertváros, Rézmál, Rózsadomb, Szemlőhegy, Széphalom, Szépilona, Szépvölgy, Törökvész, Újlak, Vérhalom, northern Víziváros, Zöldmál. | Tomb of Gül Baba, Mechwart Park, Cave of Szemlő Hill, Stalactite Cave of Pál Valley, Lukács Bath |
| III. | Óbuda-Békásmegyer | Óbuda, Aquincum, Aranyhegy, Békásmegyer, Csillaghegy, Csúcshegy, Filatorigát, Hármashatár-hegy, Kaszásdűlő, Mátyáshegy, Mocsárosdűlő, Óbudai-sziget, Remetehegy, Rómaifürdő, Solymárvölgy, Szépvölgy, Táborhegy, Testvérhegy, Törökkő, Ürömhegy, Újlak. | Ruins of Aquincum, Aquincum Military Amphitheatre, Római Part (Roman Beach), Zichy Castle |
| IV. | Újpest (New Pest) | Újpest, Megyer, Káposztásmegyer, Székesdűlő, Istvántelek. | Queen of Heavens Church, Synagogue of Újpest, Water Tower of Újpest |
| V. | Belváros-Lipótváros (Inner City-Leopold Town) | Inner City, Lipótváros | Parliament, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Gresham Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Vigadó Concert Hall, Ethnographic Museum, Hungarian National Bank, Károlyi Garden, ELTE Faculty of Law |
| VI. | Terézváros (Theresa Town) | Terézváros | Andrássy Avenue, Hungarian State Opera House, House of Terror Museum, St. Theresa of Ávila Church. |
| VII. | Erzsébetváros (Elizabeth Town) | Erzsébetváros | Dohány Street Synagogue, Rumbach Street Synagogue, Kazinczy Street Synagogue, St. Elizabeth of Árpád House Church, Reformed Church of Fasor, Madách Theatre, Gozsdu udvar, Hungária Bath (today: Continental Hotel Zara), New York Palace (today: Boscolo Budapest Hotel) |
| VIII. | Józsefváros (Joseph Town) | Józsefváros, Kerepesdűlő, Tisztviselőtelep | Hungarian National Museum, Erkel Theatre, Orczy Garden, Botanic Garden, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Kerepesi Cemetery, ELTE Faculty of Humanities |
| IX. | Ferencváros (Francis Town) | Ferencváros, Gubacsidűlő, József Attila-lakótelep | National Theatre, Palace of Arts, Kálvin Square Reformed Church, Assisi St. Francis Church, Zwack Unicum Museum, Ráday Street, Holocaust Memorial Center, Museum of Applied Arts, Corvinus University |
| X. | Kőbánya (Quarry) | Felsőrákos, Gyárdűlő, Keresztúridűlő, Kőbánya-Kertváros | Népliget (People’s Park), Planetarium, St. László Church, Csősztorony (Keeper Tower) |
| XI. | Újbuda (New Buda) | Albertfalva, Dobogó, Gazdagrét, Gellérthegy, Hosszúrét, Kamaraerdő, Kelenföld, Kelenvölgy, Kőérberek, Lágymányos, Madárhegy, Őrmező, Örsöd, Péterhegy, Pösingermajor, Sasad, Sashegy, Spanyolrét, Tabán | Gellért Hill, Citadella, Liberty Statue, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, St. Gellért Church, Kopaszi Dike, ELTE Faculty of Science |
| XII. | Hegyvidék (Highlands) | Budakeszierdő, Csillebérc, Farkasrét, Farkasvölgy, Istenhegy, Jánoshegy, Kissvábhegy, Krisztinaváros, Kútvölgy, Magasút, Mártonhegy, Németvölgy, Orbánhegy, Sashegy, Svábhegy, Széchenyihegy, Virányos. | Elizabeth Lookout Tower, Normafa |
| XIII. | 13th District of Budapest | Újlipótváros, Angyalföld, Vizafogó, Népsziget, Göncz Árpád városközpont | Comedy Theatre, St. Margaret of Árpád House Church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church |
| XIV. | Zugló | Alsórákos, Herminamező, Istvánmező, Kiszugló, Nagyzugló, Rákosfalva, Törökőr, City Park | City Park, Heroes’ Square, Zoo, Széchenyi Medicinal Bath, Gundel Restaurant, Vajdahunyad Castle, Petőfi Hall, Museum of Fine Arts, Hall of Art, Municipal Grand Circus, Petőfi Hall, Ferenc Puskás Stadium |
| XV. | 15th District of Budapest | Rákospalota, Pestújhely, Újpalota | Water Tower |
| XVI. | 16th district of Budapest | Mátyásföld, Sashalom, Cinkota, Rákosszentmihály, Árpádföld, Kisszentmihály, Ilonatelep, Petőfikert, Nagyiccetelep, Szentgyörgytelep, Szabadságtelep, Huszkatelep | Mátyásföld Airport |
| XVII. | Rákosmente | Rákoskeresztúr, Rákoscsaba, Rákoscsaba-Újtelep, Rákosliget, Rákoshegy, Rákoskert, Akadémiaújtelep, Madárdomb, Régiakadémiatelep | Statue of Heroes, Statue of Pope John Paul II, Rákos Stream, Merzse Marsh |
| XVIII. | Pestszentlőrinc-Pestszentimre (Pest Saint Lawrence-Pest Saint Emeric) | Pestszentlőrinc, Pestszentimre | Ferenc Liszt Airport, Sándor Petőfi Statue |
| XIX. | Kispest (Little Pest) | Kispest, Wekerletelep | Our Lady Church of Kispest |
| XX. | Pesterzsébet (Pest Elizabeth) | Gubacsipuszta, Kossuthfalva, Pacsirtatelep, Pesterzsébet, Pesterzsébet-Szabótelep | St. Elizabeth of Árpád House Church, Statue of Lajos Kossuth |
| XXI. | District Name | Csepel | Little Our Lady Church, Tamariska Hill |
| XXII. | Budafok-Tétény | Budatétény, Nagytétény, Budafok | Czuba-Durozier Castle, Nagytétény Castle, Sacelláry Castle, Törley Castle, Törley Mausoleum, Memento Park |
| XXIII. | Soroksár | Soroksár | Heroes’ Statue, Molnár Island |
| non-district | Margit-sziget (Margaret Island) | Margit-sziget | Dominican Monastery ruins, Franciscan Monastery ruins, Premonstratensian Convent, Water Tower, Japanese Garden, Alfréd Hajós National Swimming Stadium, Palatinus Swimming Pool, Musical Fountain |
In Conclusion
Budapest’s districts are more than just administrative divisions; they are chapters in the city’s rich history. Each district, with its landmarks, culture, and people, contributes to the vibrant tapestry that is Budapest. Whether you’re wandering through the historic lanes of District I or exploring the modern avenues of District XXIII, Budapest promises a journey through time and culture.