History of Hungary and Budapest

King Stephen is considered the founder of Hungary. He was crowned on Christmas Day in the year 1000 and became Hungary’s first king and converted the population to Christianity from their many  Pagan religions particularly the Magyars. The Mongols invaded in 1241. The rule of King Matthias (1458-1490) is considered the golden age of medieval Hungary. The Turks occupied Hungary from 1541 and Hungary became part of the Ottoman Empire. The laws of Islam prevailed. Then in the 18th  century the Hapsburg’s began reconstruction and Hungary was part of the Austrian-Hungarian empire. However in 1848 the population was involved in a revolution that was suppressed. Later in the century the  Buda palace was reconstructed. Buda and Pest were joined in 1873. New bridges were built. In 1896 massive Magyar celebrations commemorated 1000 years of occupying the land. The vast parliament buildings were built as well as monumental Heroes square. By 1900 Budapest rivaled Vienna as a capital of culture and had truly come into its own as a political, administrative, and commercial force.

In WWI Hungary was aligned with Germany, Austria - Hungary and the Ottoman (Turks) Empire. More than one million Hungarians died. After WWI Hungary’s territory was reduced to one third of its previous size. Then Hungary began to ally itself with the Axis powers - Germany and Italy. In 1944 Germany occupied Hungary and set up a puppet government. Hungarian Jews were sent to German death camps. In April 1945 the Soviet army drove the Germans out of Hungary. Budapest suffered a 100 day siege as the Nazi troupes and Soviet army confronted each other. There were 19 bombing raids and the famous chain bridge was severely damaged by the withdrawing Nazi troupes.

In 1956 when Hungary was under Communist rule another revolution occurred. It was suppressed by the Soviets who brought in tanks. In 1960 there was introduction of what is described as "Goulash Communism" when there was some improvement in the standard of living. Eventually in 1990 Hungary, after the fall of Communism, elected a democratic government. The economy was revitalized and many improvements were made to public buildings and streets. In 2004 Hungary joined the European Union. They have however kept their own currency - the Hungarian Florin.  To-day Budapest is a spectacular tourist city with many rebuilt and renovated historic buildings.