About the city and the twinning
Budapest, the capital and largest city of Hungary, lies on both banks of the Danube River in Central Europe. The modern city was formed in 1873 when Buda and Óbuda, on the western bank, united with Pest on the eastern bank. The hills of Buda rise above the river, while the flatter Pest side is home to the Hungarian Parliament Building and the broad Andrássy Avenue.
The city is known for its historic architecture, thermal baths and bridges, including the Chain Bridge, which connects Buda and Pest. The banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the medieval streets around Buda Castle to the Hungarian State Opera in Pest, Budapest’s landmarks reflect its development from separate riverside towns into Hungary’s political and cultural centre.