Strolling through Ottoman Budapest
Discover the still intact landmarks of the Ottoman era in Budapest – right in the heart of the Hungarian capital!
- • The Ottoman Empire ruled Budapest constantly for 145 years, between 1541 and 1686, altering the city’s architecture and culture.
- • While much was destroyed during the recapture of Buda, several highly significant 16th-century structures survived intact.
- • The most famous surviving Ottoman landmarks actively include the holy Tomb of Gül Baba, the authentic Király and Rudas Thermal Baths, and specific defensive towers along the Buda Castle walls.
Almost 500 years after the end of the Ottoman occupation, Budapest still has plenty of sights reminiscent of the era. Apart from Turkish baths, there are a couple of landmarks that are less-known but are definitely worth a visit if you’re interested in taking a trip down memory lane to discover a piece of Budapest’s fascinating history.
A little bit of history
After decades of fighting the Ottomans, 1526 marked a significant and sad moment in Hungarian history: the battle of Mohács crushed the defenders, allowing Ottoman forces to press deep into Hungarian territory. Shortly after, in 1541, the castle of Buda, and with that, the capital itself, was lost and the era of Ottoman Hungary began. For the following 150 years, most of modern-day Hungary was occupied – even though the Ottoman rulers did practice religious tolerance, ethnic Hungarian population dwindled, with many migrating to the surrounding Christian countries. It was a turbulent period in Hungarian history, but the positive effects of the Ottoman occupation are undeniable: with numerous landmarks dotted around the capital to this day, you can visit most of these places in a single day.
The tomb of Gül Baba
Gül Baba (Father of Roses in Turkish), a renowned dervish close to Suleiman I, was one of the many nobles who were there during the occupation of the castle of Buda in 1541. Upon his death, a closed tomb was erected upon a hill, which, to this day, is called Rózsadomb (or Rose Hill).
The tomb itself became an important pilgrimage site for Muslims – despite the reoccupation of Buda in 1686 and being transformed into a Catholic chapel, most of the building and its surroundings were unchanged and undisturbed. Fast forward to 2018: thanks to a bilateral agreement between the Hungarian and the Turkish governments, the tomb received a major facelift, with a complex cultural center, a café, and a gorgeous garden added to the already impressive structure of the octagonal building.
Getting there
Get off tram line 4-6 at Margit híd, budai hídfő. From there, it’s a 10-minute stroll – but beware, it’s a pretty steep climb if you approach it from the east side. Alternatively, you can access the tomb from the west if you’re arriving by car.
Turkish baths
If you can’t spell Budapest without mentioning baths, then you most probably can’t spell baths without mentioning Ottoman-built thermal spas. Throughout Hungary, these baths can be found in mint condition everywhere: from Pécs to Eger, there’s at least one thermal spa that was built around an Ottoman bath as a basis.
As for the capital, there are two that you can visit: Rudas bath and Veli Bej. Rudas offers an incomparable view from its rooftop pools: located right between Gellért Hill and the bank of Danube, visitors can chill in the Ottoman-built pools while marveling at the most iconic buildings of the capital. Veli Bej isn’t as fancy as Rudas, but thanks to its healing waters, it’s been a popular spot for Europeans through centuries. If you’d like a more quiet but equally refreshing spa experience, Veli Bej is the Turkish bath you’re looking for. We’ve also written extensively about each bath – find our piece on Rudas our Rudas Thermal Bath guide and on Veli Bej here.
The present
Thanks to the efforts of the Hungarian and Turkish governments, the preservation of Ottoman-era landmarks is just one part of the picture. In 2013, the Yunus Emre Cultural Institute opened its gates in Budapest with the goal of popularizing Turkish culture, customs, and the language itself. With temporary exhibits, courses, and various cultural events, you can learn about the Ottoman heritage as well as present-day Turkish values. Check out their page here to get the latest programs while you’re in town.
Getting there
The institute is located pretty close to Oktogon: just get off Metro line 1 or Tram 4-6, and you’ll get to the entrance in 5 minutes on foot. Alternatively, you can also rent a scooter to cruise to the location.
Not visible anymore
While a lot of landmarks have survived for centuries and are still standing today, a few were not so lucky. During the Ottoman era, the Buda Castle blew up twice as it was used as an ammunition storage, devastating most of the palace and the majority of the buildings, leaving nothing but a smoking pile of rubble behind. If you’re strolling through the Castle District nowadays, every single building and most of the walls were rebuilt over the span of almost a century, starting in 1686.
Pro tip: If you’re curious about Budapest’s landmarks, check out our summary article on the top 100 things you can’t miss in Budapest. In the article, you can read about the Holocaust Memorial Center and the museums in Budapest.
Q & A
Where is Budapest? What pleasures does this amazing city offer to the tourists? If you are interested, you should read our article on the topic. As everyone knows, who once visited Budapest, this is the city, which you will never forget in your life!
The Great Synagogue Budapest is definitely an unmissable attraction! Don’t miss it if you visit the Hungarian capital.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long was Budapest under Ottoman rule?
Budapest was under the direct control of the Ottoman Empire for 145 uninterrupted years, lasting from 1541 until the massive Christian siege of 1686.
What did the Ottomans build in Budapest?
The Ottomans constructed functional military fortifications, numerous mosques, and, several atmospheric thermal baths that still operate today.
Who was Gul Baba?
Gül Baba was a revered 16th-century Ottoman Bektashi dervish monk and poet. His restored tomb on Rózsadomb remains the northernmost Islamic pilgrimage site.
