Like many other great European cities, Budapest can trace its lineage back to the time of the Roman Empire. The Romans first inhabited the region in the 2nd century AD, building a frontier settlement known as “Aquincum” upon the site of an earlier Celtic town that hugged the Danube. (The modern Budapest neighborhood of Óbuda constitutes the nucleus of the historic Roman outpost.) At first, Aquincum’s sole purpose was to act as a military bastion for the Roman province of Pannonia Inferior. Yet, a small market town grew around the Roman base, gradually transforming the community into a regional hub of trade. Wealth subsequently flowed into Aquincum, giving rise to a construction boom that saw the creation of such renowned cultural structures like amphitheaters, villas, and public bathhouses. The Romans continued to occupy Aquincum for generations, until the collapse of their transcontinental empire in the 4th century. In the power vacuum that followed, roving bands of nomadic warriors—including the Huns and the Avars--sacked the city and dominated the surrounding plans for years. Political stability briefly returned to the locale when a joint army consisting of soldiers from both the Holy Roman Empire and Bulgaria defeated the marauders once and for all in the early 9th century. The Bulgarians subsequently claimed sovereignty over the land, developing two new fortified towns on opposite sides of the river called “Buda” and “Pest.”

The arrival of Arpad and his tribe of Magyars from Bulgaria at the end of the century evenutally forced the local Bulgarians to leave Buda and Pest. Arpad and his descendants would subsequently rule over the two settlements for the next four centuries, using them both as the capital of the Principality of Hungary, and its successor, the Kingdom of Hungary. Buda and Pest remained economically vibrant throughout the Middle Ages, attracting all kinds of merchants from commerce-rich places like France, Wallonia (part of modern Belgium), and the Holy Roman Empire. Yet, the two town also held similar military functions to its Roman predecessor. The Bulgarians constantly warred with the Arpads in a series of related conflicts known as the “Bulgarian-Hungarian Wars,” while also withstanding the ferocity of the Mongols. Imposing embattlements eventually surrounded the two towns, making them some of the most heavily fortified communities in all of Europe. Buda itself started to emerge somewhat more prominently in Hungarian politics as a result, especially after King Béla IV placed his own royal palace (Buda Castle) atop the strategic high ground that sat at its center. As such, Buda had become the exclusive capital for the Kingdom of Hungary, as well as the home for successive generations of Hungarian monarchs.

The height of Buda and Pest’s prosperity within the Kingdom of Hungary occurred during the Renaissance, when King Matthias I sponsored the creation of many philosophical and scientific organizations in each community. In fact, his Bibliotheca Corviniana serves as the crowning jewel of his intellectual accomplishments. But the Kingdom of Hungary would evenutally dissipate during Suleiman the Magnificent’s invasion of southeastern Europe in the 16th century. Now under Ottoman occupation, Buda and Pest reverted to being provincial capitals inside a much larger empire. Yet, the Ottomans invested heavily into the upkeep of both towns, sponsoring the creation of many outstanding facilities. (Two of their greatest legacies are the Rudas Baths and the Király Baths, which are still in use today.) The rule of the Ottomans proved to be comparatively brief, though, only lasting for some 150 years. In 1686, each city was finally recaptured by European forces amid the Great Turkish War. As such, Buda and Pest became a part of the Holy Roman Empire, before finally joining its successor—the Austrian Empire—two centuries later.

In 1848, an uprising of Hungarians throughout the Habsburg dominion nearly seized independence for Buda and Pest, although the Austrian imperial army was able to suppress the movement. The Austrian monarchs then proceeded to reestablish the Kingdom of Hungary as a form of reconciliation, joining its revived royal crown with that of Austria’s. As such, Buda became the joint capital for the newly created Austro-Hungarian Empire alongside the city of Vienna. Pest then joined its sibling community in 1873, when the two were merged into one single entity known as “Budapest.” The local Hungarian government then initiated a massive series of renovations throughout the city, which resulted in the construction of such landmarks like Heroes' Square, Vajdahunyad Castle, and the many structures that reside along Andrássy Avenue. Budapest continued to function as the twin seat of power of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918, when it became the capital for an independent Hungary after World War I. Budapest has remained the center of government for Hungary ever since, even while it was occupied by the Nazis and Communists during the 20th century. Today, much of downtown Budapest is recognized for its grand historical significance, with much of its downtown core listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Constructed toward the end of the 19th century, the Hotel Nemzeti Budapest - MGallery by Sofitel displays some of the finest Art Nouveau-style architecture in all of Budapest. Part of the greater cultural phenomenon known as the “Belle Époque,” Art Nouveau architecture was among the most popular styles in Europe from the 1890s till the outbreak of World War I. It quickly appeared all across the continent, referred to by such names like “Glasgow Style,” “Modern Style,” and “Sezessionsstil.” And some of Europe’s most prominent architectural minds employed Art Nouveau architecture. Perhaps the greatest example Hector Guimard’s wonderful Castel Béranger. The term itself was derived from an article published in the L’Art Moderne to introduce the work of architectural collective Les Vingt toward the end of the 19th century. Architects who embraced the Art Nouveau were among a growing demographic of intellectuals that yearned to create novel artistic forms that broke with the imitative historicism of the past. More importantly, they wanted their new architectural motifs to reflect imaginative creativity, especially as European society became increasingly more structured and industrialized. Over time, those professionals created a design aesthetic characterized by its curvaceous lines and use of organic shapes. Objects from nature were featured prominently throughout the façade of every structure, too, including the likes of insects and exotic plants. Surfaces often contained terra cotta coverings, and ornate tile moldings spread throughout the interior. Sloped arches also defined the windows and doors, while fantastic mosaics existed on nearly every ceiling. Asymmetrical layouts structured many Art Nouveau buildings, as well, providing for a unique appearance in many of Europe’s sprawling cities. Art Nouveau architecture was eventually phased out during the 1920s in favor of a new style known as “Art Deco.” Its emphasis on modernity seemed to better represent Western culture as it emerged from the aftermath of World War I.