Architecture Photography in Budapest, Hungary

Buda Castle

One of the most prominent architectural styles found in Budapest is Baroque, an Italian style from the late 16th - early 17th centuries that includes very theatrical and embellished features. These buildings usually feature highly decorated towers, domes, and cupolas, and use bright, extravagant colors and materials to evoke feelings of grandeur and illusion. Two of my favorite buildings built in the Baroque style in Budapest were Buda Castle (which has a few different styles to it) and the Saint Catherine of Alexandria Church. I actually took the photo of the church from the steps descending from the Buda Castle grounds.

Like I mentioned, Buda Castle is a bit of a hodgepodge of different architectural styles mixed together, so it was really cool to walk around and see so many different features that all made up the castle grounds. I also only had my 50mm lens with me so my composition options were pretty limited, but I’ve really been liking the low-angle shots like the ones below when it comes to architectural photography. I normally love super symmetrical, Wes Anderson-inspired compositions when I take photos, but it’s always nice to change things up!

Hungarian Parliament Building

Gothic architecture is one of my absolute favorite styles, and Budapest does it pretty dang well. This European style lasted from the mid-12th century to the 16th, though it survived a couple more centuries in some areas, until the Neo-Gothic (or Gothic Revival) style emerged in the 19th century in England. Most cathedrals are great examples of Gothic architecture–large, cavernous buildings featuring pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and large windows to let in natural light (often through stained glass windows).

The Hungarian Parliament Building is the biggest showcase of Gothic Revival architecture in Budapest, and is rightfully the most famous building in Hungary. It’s one of those buildings I could look at for hours and never get bored–I loved finding the little details in the arches and on the points of the towers.

Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion

The Matthias Church is another wonderful example of Gothic Revival architecture–its gorgeous, vividly-colored roof compliments the tall, embellished tower toward the church’s entrance, and the intricate details along the top of the tower and the arched doorway and windows are stunning. Seriously, it’s hard to look away!

City Buildings

Even the street buildings we saw just walking around the city were beautiful–that’s what I love so much about Europe; everywhere you look, simple things are made so uniquely, especially all the architecture. The littlest details on things as common as apartment buildings or storefronts can make them look so elegant and interesting. After being so used to the pretty bland architecture in US cities, Europe was such a treat to explore–I do love a classic brownstone, don’t get me wrong, but so much of the architecture in major US cities is a lot of grey skyscrapers and endless reflective windows. Give me limestone buildings and Gothic arches and dark, moody streets that look like Hogwarts 24/7.

One of my favorite things about the buildings in Budapest is the colorful roofing you see all around the city. I love looking at all the different patterns and colors, each one completely unique in their own way.

BATHS

The Széchenyi Thermal Baths were another truly impressive piece of architecture in Budapest. The buildings were built in the Neo-Baroque style, and they’re massive. Really beautiful to look at while relaxing in the baths on an early spring morning! There were some pretty indoor rooms as well, but I didn’t get any photos of those.