Danube Promenade

Danube Promenade on the Pest side, the part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1987, is a spacious embankment with many cafes and a great view of the Castle and bridges.

Danube Promenade
It was a home to several grand hotels and many fine establishments destroyed during WWII, and changed its shape and appearance many times, but has always remained a popular setting for locals and visitors to Budapest.
Danube Promenade
The limits of the Danube Promenade has been marked with monuments at each end that are still present today. The one by the <a href="http://www.budapestindex.com/blog/editors/180109/chain-bridge">Chain Bridge</a> is the statue of Baron József Eötvös, Hungarian writer and statesman.
Danube Promenade
The other by the Erzsébet Bridge is a statue of Hungarian poet Sándor Petőfi. It was built in 1882 “with funds donated by the whole nation”.
Danube Promenade
Vigadó Concert Hall built in 1865 is the most interesting architectural complex in the Danube Promenade. Many musical celebrities, including Ferenc Liszt, Johannes Brahms and Gustav Mahler performed here.
Danube Promenade
Danube Promenade was among the first streets in Budapest to be paved with asphalt in 1872. In 1900 the tram service started here, and today the famous No 2 tram running along the Danube offers a great opportunity to see the views of Buda at a price of <a href="http://www.budapestindex.com/transport/public-transport">public transport</a> ticket.
Danube Promenade
The lower embankment with storage facilities below the tram lines was built following the disastrous flood of 1838. It was badly damaged during WWII, but restored to protect the city from the Danube waters.
Danube Promenade
In 1928 the city authorities tried for the first time floodlighting the Fishermen’s Bastion and Saint Gellert Monument on the Buda side in the night time.
Danube Promenade
The night floodlighting was a popular attraction until 1939 when city ordered nightly blackouts.
Danube Promenade
The chairs you see today are the replicas of Buchwald chairs that were placed in 8 to 10 rows in front of Vigadó. Uniformed “Buchwald ladies” collected the rental fee for these chairs.
Danube Promenade
The other monuments that remain on the Danube Promenade after many changes include the Fountain of the Little Gopher Hunters in front of Vigadó (1896).
Danube Promenade
Danube Wind (1937), the female figure leaning against the wind, was originally placed in the opening between two buildings where passersby could feel the breeze from the Danube. After WWII it was replaced with a replica and moved from its original spot.
Danube Promenade
Little Princess (1990), bronze statue sitting on the cast-iron railings restored by the original designs.
Danube Promenade
Seamen's Monument (1993) to the memory of Hungarian sailors.
Danube Promenade
The Danube Promenade was badly damaged in WWII and at some point was even given to the car traffic. It started to come back to life only in the late 50s with new cafes opening in its restored buildings.
Danube Promenade
In 1969 the new five-star Hotel Duna Inter-Continental (today Marriott) was opened. It was the only five-star in the city for many years, and many celebrities stayed here, including Elizabeth Taylor who celebrated here her 40th birthday in 1972.
Danube Promenade
In 1981 the Danube Promenade got another hotel of 408 rooms - the Hotel Forum (today InterContinental).
Danube Promenade
Mixture of old, new and restored, Danube Promenade is a perfect spot to enjoy the spring sun.
Danube Promenade
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By Sosna on 23 Mar 2011. Updated on 02 Oct 2012