BUDAPEST 2016 - ILAB CONGRESS & INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUARIAN BOOK FAIR

For the first time ever ...

... the Hungarian rare book dealers invite colleagues and collectors from across the world to Budapest. The 42nd ILAB Congress and 26th ILAB International Antiquarian Book Fair from 21 to 25 September 2016 will present Budapest as one of the most beautiful cities and one of the most fascinating book capitals in Europe. The congress programme is as manifold as exciting and proves that Budapest is a city with many faces: the old Hungarian capital full of books and music, history and tradition and at the same time a lively and busy Eastern European centre full of young and amazing cultural concepts.

Have you already registered for the ILAB Congress and / or for the succeeding ILAB International Antiquarian Book Fair? Have a look at the promising programme and do not hesitate to subscribe.

In a series of articles we will introduce you to the most exciting places of Budapest – libraries, museums, archives, music halls and other famous sites. Joins us on our virtual tour through the Hungarian capital. Today we will invite you to a virtual tour on:

Castle Hill

The first citizens arrived at Castle Hill in the 13th century after the Mongolian invasion, seeking protection in the hills of Buda. The first royal castle was built around this time. With the marriage of King Matthias Corvinus and Beatrix of Naples in 1476 the Golden Age of Castle Hill started in the late 15th century. Many Italian artists and craftsmen accompanied the new Queen Beatrix. Buda became an important European city and a centre of Renaissance humanist culture. Following the Battle of Mohács in the year 1526 and nearly 150 years of Ottoman rule, Buda was in ruins. Out of those ruins a Baroque city was built, and Castle Hill soon became the district of the government and a symbol of Buda’s new age of prosperity in the 18th and 19th centuries. After its unification in 1873 Budapest became a global city and the second capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a great power that dissolved in 1918, following World War I. During World War II, Buda Castle Hill was bombed to the ground and had to be rebuilt again.

Today, Castle Hill is recognized as a World Heritage Site, and has many must-see attractions, Gothic arches, 18th Baroque houses and cobblestone streets. Though Castle Hill has changed much since its early 13th century days, the main streets still follow their medieval paths. Some houses date back to the 14th and 15th centuries, giving us an idea of what the Castle District may have looked like back then. Practically every house has a plaque indicating the century in which it was built and providing details of its history. A surprising number of the buildings are still private homes, as Castle Hill is also a residential area. Cars have been banned - only people who live and work here are allowed to drive.

Buda underground - Buda Castle Hill is also home to a large interconnected cellar system that consists of natural caves created by thermal waters and man-made passageways. Inhabitants have used the caverns for centuries for storage and shelter. The earliest traces of human life found here are 500,000 years old. Part of the cellar system can be toured at the Buda Castle Labyrinth and at the Hospital in the Rock Museum.

Things to Do and See on Castle Hill

The best option is to walk along the cobblestone streets and discover Castle Hill at your own pace. Visitors shall take time, as there is a lot to see and do, and exploring Castle Hill can take an entire day. Trinity Square, Matthias Church (Mátyás templom) and Fishermen’s Bastion (Halászbástya) should not be missed! Moreover, various events are held at Castle Hill around the year. The Castle Hill walking tour includes all the major sights, as well as recommended cafés and restaurants to stop for some refreshments. And if you wish to get an insider's look into historic landmarks and learn about the past while strolling along (and beneath) the cobblestone streets sign up for the Mysteries of Castle District Tour!

We hope to see you there!

42nd ILAB Congress

26th International Antiquarian Book Fair

Budapest, Hungary

21 – 25 September 2016

>> To register online and for more information please visit the official website.

>> For any further questions please contact the organizer at revhegyi@congressline.hu

(Pictures: ILAB, Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of Hungary, MAE)