History of Budapest
Brief history of Budapest summarized
A brief overview of the history of Budapest, the capital of Hungary, a city divided by the Danube River.
The beginnings of Budapest
In the 1st century AD the Romans conquered parts of what is now Hungary. Around the year 100 AD they created a city called Aquincum on the site of Budapest. However, in the year 409 the Huns captured the city. The region was then ruled by different peoples until the Magyars conquered the area in 896.
At the end of the 12th century the cities of Buda and Pest grew. The region was devastated by the Mongol invasion of 1241. However, Buda and Pest soon recovered and in 1244 Pest received a royal charter. However, in the late Middle Ages, Buda became the capital of Hungary.
Then, in 1541, the Turks captured Buda. They held it until 1686, when the Austrians captured it. Then, in 1689, Buda and Pest suffered a serious outbreak of bubonic plague. He returned in 1711. However, the late 18th century was a time of prosperity for Buda and Pest.
Modern Budapest
During the 19th century, Buda and Pest continued to grow and prosper. The Lutheran Church was built in 1808. A rebellion broke out in 1848 and was suppressed in 1849.
However, that same year, in 1849, the Chain Bridge was built. The Great Synagogue was built in 1859 and the Great Market Hall was opened in 1864. Then, in 1873, Buda and Pest were united as one city. The first subway line was inaugurated in 1896.
In 1945 Budapest was captured by the Russians. They imposed a communist tyranny. In 1956 the people of Budapest rebelled, but the rebellion was brutally suppressed.
Communism finally collapsed in 1989. Today Budapest is a prosperous city. The population of Budapest today is 1.7 million.
Share the history of Budapest.