Fisherman’s Bastion

The Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest appears like a magical castle up on the Buda hill built from white stones with little towers just like in a fairy tail. From here you can take the best pictures overlooking Budapest, well rather Pest only, you can see all great landmarks such as the Basilica, the Andrássy Út or the Heroes’ Square all together in one picture from above. This is where many tourists come for their great picture of Budapest showing all the beauty of the city including the Margaret Island and the Danube and many of the wonderful bridges crossing it. Unfortunately over the past years parts of the Fisherman’s Bastion have been commercialized and you need to pay an admission fee of several hundred forint which is for example the case on the top round walk of the Fisherman’s Bastion, the bottom part is stuffed with seats of a café where obviously you need to pay as well to catch a look. But there are still enough places to get your great shot over Budapest for free.

Construction and History

The Fisherman’ Bastion in Budapest was built between 1895 and 1902 and planned by Frigyes Schulek, during the last renovation of the Matthias Church which is located behind the Fisherman’s Bastion. The name Fisherman’s Bastion comes from a fishermen market that was happening in that area in medieval times long before the Bastion was built. So it was the task of the fishermen to defend the city with this Bastion.

Best times to visit the Fisherman’s bastion is obviously a sunny, clear day to take a great shot over the city but also to see the architecture. It is also worth to visit the few meters away situated Matthias Church as well as the Buda Castle. Also it is a nice trip to take the “Sikló” – the Budapest Castle District Funicular – to travel up or down the hill, including a beautiful picture of the Chain Bridge.