As a city Budapest as it is today has existed only since 1873 when the historic Buda on the west bank of the Danube merged with Pest on the east bank.

Over the centuries this region has been subjected to many, many conquests and migrations from the likes of the Romans, Huns, and nomadic tribes from Asia. What we now know as Hungary has been settled by Franks, Germans and Turks all of whom have added to the cultural and environmental aspects of the land of the Magyars.

King Stephen I consolidated his rule in the 11^th century only to be followed by the Byzantian, Ottoman and Hapsburg empires. A war of independence was fought between 1848 and 1849 that failed to make a complete break with the Hapsburgs of Austria and yet more changes were to follow as a result of WWI and WWII. Falling under Soviet domination and despite an abortive uprising in 1956 the country was to finally assume independence on 23 October 1989

Millenary Monument. A statue of the Angel Gabriel tops the column while around its base are statues of the Magyar Chieftains who occupied the Carpathian Basin in the 9th century [Click on photo for enlargement]

A view of the interior of the splendidly decorated dome of the Basilica dedicated to St. Stephen

[Click on photo for enlargement]