2008 Celebrates the year of the Renaissance in this city after celebrate 550 years of the inauguration of King Matthias. On this occasion the city organizes interesting artistic, scientific and gastronomic events. Budapest is the official capital of Hungary, its main commercial, industrial and transportation center. Its location offers a strategic point for the crossing of the Danube River. In addition, the Gellert hills that surround it provide natural protection, that made her territory desired by different civilizations throughout history.
Among them are the Roman Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The city, which covers territories on both sides of the River, is the result of the unification of three cities (Buda, obuda and Pest) undertaken in 1873. Initially, the name that had the city on both banks is Pest, Word of Slavic origin which means oven and refers to thermal springs that are below the Gellert. The name Buddha appeared after the invasion of the Tatars, who incited the Hungarians to build strongholds throughout the country. In the middle ages, this area was the permanent Royal seat.
With the Turkish invasion, and its domain that lasted for 150 years, both cities were looted, burned and destroyed. Once obtained his release, he began the development of the city, especially to cultural and intellectual level. Towards 1700 the first printing press was founded, the first newspapers were created and the city housed the only University in the country, Nagyszombat. In addition, the national theatre and the Academy of Sciences was founded. Budapest is known for being the city of spas. Account with around 100 sources with medicinal waters and 12 thermal baths. It is also known as the Capital of the medicinal waters. The known thermal baths Gellert, Szechenyi and Luckacs found in Buda. They are also the Turkish baths of Rudas, Kiraly and Rac, built towards the end of the 1500 and still are running.