Pannonhalma Abbey - Hungary

There are eight World Heritage Sites in Hungary. The Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma and its Natural Environment were added to the WHS list in 1996. 

Both these cards have been sent by Joanna. 

The monastery of the Benedictine Order at Pannonhalma was founded in 996 in Western Hungary and had a major role in the diffusion of Christianity in medieval Central Europe. The monastery shows a stratification of different architectural styles and various buildings.

 

Among these buildings: a school (the first ever school founded in the country), the monastic complex – home to the monks whose life is still based on St. Benedict’s Rule ‘Ora et labora’ -, the tourist welcome points and hospitality facilities, the Chapel of Our Lady, the Millennium Chapel and the botanical and herbal gardens.
The monastery’s library also preserves the oldest surviving document in Hungarian language, the Charter of the Tihany Benedictine Abbey, dating back to 1055. The surrounding area, covered by forests with rare and protected floral species and home to many songbirds, complements in an aesthetic way the man-made millenary monastery.

 

The Archabbey of Pannonhalma and its environment (...) are the living testimony of the thousand-year history of the Benedictine monastery, who has become a place of education, culture, ecumenism and encounter. The community of monks still functions today and sustains with continuous dedication one of the living centres of European culture. -in: https://www.comece.eu

Buda Castle - Hungary

Hungary must be one of the European countries from which I receive the least postcards. It was a bit of a surprise to receive an official card from there last week., only my 3rd offcial from this country. 

When I received my 1st cards from Budapest back in 2007, I I was far from imagining that 11 years later I would visit Budapest and see these views. The city is one of the cities that I would like to visit again. 

 

The Castle District stands as one of the capital's most significant historical and cultural hubs. Perched 70 meters above the Danube on the Castle Hill, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Since the 13th century, Buda Castle has served as the residence of Hungarian kings. The strategically defensible Buda Castle Hill has seen a succession of rulers from Hungarian monarchs to Turkish, Habsburg, German, and Soviet hands, each leaving behind a tapestry of captivating and diverse tales. 

 

HU-229655, sent by Maria.

Buda Castle is one of the most iconic landmarks in Hungarian history, with its distinctive dome visible from afar atop Castle Hill. Over the centuries, this palace has been rebuilt and expanded multiple times, serving not only as a royal residence but also as the backdrop for significant historical events.
During the Ottoman occupation, the castle was almost entirely destroyed, but Habsburg rulers made efforts to restore it to its original splendor. However, World War II once again inflicted severe damage. In the second half of the 20th century, an extensive restoration brought the castle back to life. Today, the complex thrives as a modern cultural hub.

Within Buda Castle, visitors will find the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum, the Saint Stephen’s Hall, and the National Széchényi Library. The terrace in front of the palace offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Hungarian capital. - in: https://www.budapestinfo.hu