Danube Palace architect Vilmos Freund
History
The Danube Palace was completed in 1885 as part of Budapest's massive expansion for the millennium celebrations. Hungary was a thousand years old in 1896 and the Habsburg Emperor Franz Joseph I was determined to create a prestigious city that reflected its ancient standing. It was built according to the plans of Vilmos Freund, in co-operation with the contractor Géza Márkus. Originally, the whole palace was decorated with gold motifs, familiar to Baroque churches.The building took its current shape in 1941. Between 1895 and World War II, the Danube Palace was open for the public for various events. During the war it was completely empty, because that part of the Danube was also the front line between the occupying Soviets on the Pest side, and the Germans on the Buda side. At the end of the war the German military blew up all the bridges that connected the two sides of the Hungarian capital. That is why a few modern buildings can be seen in the area of the Danube palace, including the Sofitel and Intercontinental Hotels.
The Palace today, apart from symphony concerts, has a variety of literary and artistic events and functions, and even folk dancing. It is a popular Budapest tourist attraction where you can get a combined show and Danube cruise.
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