Budapest celebrates 150th birthday

Cargo ship port and warehouses on the Széchenyi (Rudolf) wharf. In the background are the Széchenyi Chain Bridge and the Royal Palace. Photographed between 1880-1890. Source: Fortepan / Budapest Főváros Levéltára / photos of György Klösz

Budapest celebrates its 150th birthday on November 17, 2023.

This is not the anniversary of the foundation, since the city has a history of almost 2000 years. The 150th birthday of Hungary's capital celebrates the unification of the three historical parts — Pest, Buda, and Óbuda — into one city, Budapest.

Visitors could take part in several Budapest 150 events in the last months. Some programs only last until the big day, while others, like the subway concerts at Fővám Square every Wednesday afternoon, or the urban history exhibition about the bridges of Budapest, will be on until the end of the year.

Next to offering around 100 different programs, the capital also celebrates with a makeover in parts of the city. The waterfront in Pest has been reorganized to make more way for walking or cycling and the iconic Chain Bridge has been renovated.

Some Budapest 150 programs will continue into 2024. For example, the exhibition titled Budapest Effect, exploring metropolitan attachments and identities in the capital of Hungary, will be on display at the Budapest History Museum until March 31, 2024.

Honoring the city's long history of café culture, a competition was organized to create a celebratory cake for the 150th anniversary. The winning creation — the birthday cake of Budapest — will be available at select confectionaries from November 17, 2023.

For the list of programs, visit the Budapest 150 website.