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hidden europe 63

Budapest transport

by hidden europe

Picture above: Castle Hill funicular in Budapest (photo © Michael Paschos / dreamstime.com)

Summary

The steep topography around the Hungarian capital, especially on the west bank of the Danube, meant that great ingenuity was needed in developing public transport. Examples are the famous funicular up to Buda Castle and a cog railway, both dating back to the 1870s and still well used today.

hidden europe 63 / Snippet  / By hidden europe

Budapest’s status as an early adopter of innovative design and technology is exemplified in the story of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge (see previous article). From the western end of the chain bridge, it is just a three-minute ride on the funicular railway up to the terraces around the Royal Palace in Buda. The railway opened in 1870, making Buda the second place in the world to deploy a funicular railway for regular public transport. The first funicular opened in Lyon in 1862.

Buda’s steep topography acted as a great stimulus to ingenious solutions when it came to public transport.

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