The Castle of Buda
Since 1987, Buda Castle has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Buda Castle Quarter. Its area encompasses a wide variety of structures ranging from mediaeval architectural monuments to residential and public buildings from the nineteenth century. The construction of the Castle was part of the defensive measures taken by King Béla IV after the Mongol invasion of 1241–1242. The construction of the medieval palace, the throne room, the royal suite, the observatory, the library, and the Southern Great Rondella was completed by King Matthias (Mátyás). In 1541: The fall of Buda Castle and the beginning of 150 years of Ottoman-Turkish occupation. During World War II, a large portion of the Royal Palace and the Castle Quarter was destroyed. However, most of the buildings have been restored close to their original state or rebuilt with newer and simpler facades.
