Buda Castle Buda Castle, Budapest
Every year on March 15 in Budapest offers a unique opportunity for visitors to experience Hungary’s national holiday through engaging historical and cultural programmes. While many activities cater primarily to Hungarian-speaking residents, there are several events that international visitors could possibly enjoy, assuming that the thousands of visitors will not deter you on the day. As the entry is free of charge on this day to the Budapest History Museum Castle Museum and many thousands of locals visit the exhibitions on this day for the fascinating programmes in Hungarian, the free time on the day and the free entry, kindly expect considerably increased visitor numbers and queues during the entry points, cloakroom or cafe areas.
If you see visitors donning a ribbon rosette on their lapel on the day you can rightly assume that they are Hungarians wearing the traditional tricolour badge called Kokarda – Cocarde. Learn more about the Hungarian Symbolic Rosette and why it is worn on March 15, and what March 15th is all about.
The interactive exhibits and historical displays at various museums in Buda Castle and elsewhere in Budapest, such as the National Museum, allow visitors to immerse themselves in the revolutionary atmosphere, with free entry to all programs and exhibitions throughout the day. Whether through historical tours, exhibitions, or commemorative events, March 15 provides a meaningful experience for those wanting to understand Hungary’s national identity and revolutionary heritage.
The mini guided tours are deep insights in Hungarian with detailed historical insights provide fascinating insights into lesser-known aspects of the 1848 Revolution, such as the plot to blow up the Chain Bridge in 1849—a gripping story of sabotage, military strategy, and political intrigue, or why the revolutionary crowds did not enter the Royal Palace on that fateful day. For those interested in historical debates, an afternoon lecture explores how figures like Sándor Petőfi and Lajos Kossuth viewed March 15 in different ways—was it a defining moment or just a small uprising? The Hungarian speaking discussion offers a fresh perspective on how revolutions are remembered and interpreted.
| Time | Event | Description | Language Accessibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00–17:00 | Family Activities: Crafts & Games | Hands-on workshops where visitors can create kokárdas, print historical newspapers, and reenact revolutionary battles on a model battlefield. | Mostly Hungarian, but visual and interactive elements could be engaging for all. Please be aware of increased number of HU visitors on March 15. |
| 11:30 & 13:30 | Mini Guided Tour: The Chain Bridge Plot | A 30-minute tour uncovering the 1849 attempt to destroy the Chain Bridge, revealing hidden weaknesses and military strategies. | Hungarian only. |
| 14:30 | Lecture: The “Second” March 15 | A discussion on how Petőfi and Kossuth viewed the revolution differently and how the date became a national holiday. | Hungarian historical lecture. |
| 16:30 | Historical Walk in Buda Castle | Exploring why the revolutionary crowds did not enter the Royal Palace and what role the Helytartó Tanács (Governor’s Council) played. | Hungarian speaking guided walk. |
| All Day | Free Entry to Exhibitions & Programs | Museums and exhibitions related to 1848-49 are open for free to visitors. | Open to all. Please be aware of increased number of national tourism visitors on March 15. |
Access to the Museum: Faster Admission from the Castle Garden Bazaar
To avoid the crowds, we recommend using the less busy entrance (the so called ‘Royal Cellar Entry’ point, which can be accessed from the Castle Garden Bazaar along the castle wall via the stairs near the gigantic Holy Mary Statue perched on the Castle wall overlooking the river Danube. This entrance may provide a quicker and more relaxed entry compared to the Main Entrance of the Castle Museum, which can be approached from the Disz Square and the Funicular across the Lions Courts.
Address: BTM Castle Museum / Budapest History Museum Castle Museum , 1014 Budapest, Szent György tér 2.
Location in the Buda Castle Royal Palace, Building E
Image credits: BTM Castle Museum / Budapest History Museum Castle Museum
