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The construction work on the building complex standing on an island in City Park Lake was completed in 1896 – a significant year for the Hungarian nation, since this was the year when Hungary celebrated the 1000th anniversary of the conquest. Along with many other landmarks in Budapest, Vajdahunyad Castle was also constructed for the Jubilee celebration of the thousand years of the Hungarian State. The building complex is considered a particularly interesting attraction, since it combines elements from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles at the same time. The components of the monumental castle building were modelled after famous buildings erected in the area of historical Hungary, so we can discover traces of Romanesque and Gothic churches, Renaissance palaces and Baroque castles in certain sections of the castle. One of the most characteristic details of Vajdahunyad Castle is the medieval tower that stands by the entrance to the building complex. The edifice was originally referred to as the Historical Building Complex and was only later named Vajdahunyad Castle after Ignác Alpár modelled the most dominant part, the main facade, after the Hunyadis’ medieval Vajdahunyad Castle in Transylvania.
City Park’s most famous tourist attraction
Vajdahunyad Castle, completed in 1896, was first home to the Millennium Exhibitions; later, in 1897, the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture took up residence within the walls of the castle. The buildings were initially erected on a temporary basis, but the people grew to like the building complex so much that the capital city subsequently ordered its construction from permanent materials. Discover statues of famous Hungarian scientists and economists in the paths curving round the area of the castle and the park. One of City Park’s most famous tourist attractions, the nearly two-metre tall statue of Anonymous is also here, portraying the nameless notary of a Hungarian king, presumably Béla III. A few years ago, a statue of the famous Hungarian-born actor Béla Lugosi, who emigrated to America and played Dracula on screen, was placed in one of the castle's statue niches. The bust is the creation of a German sculptor and was probably placed in Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest because legend has it that the “original” Count Dracula, Vlad Țepeș, Prince of Wallachia, was held captive in the original Transylvanian Castle.
From spring to autumn, City Park Lake around Vajdahunyad Castle is a spectacular location for boating and pedal boating, while in winter, the artificial lake becomes a skating rink.