Buda Castle Buda Castle, Budapest
Nestled between the River Danube Budapest and the Buda Castle Hill, Watertown is a historic part of the Buda side in Budapest with roots stretching back to medieval and, of course, Roman times. Originally known as the ‘Foot of the Hill’ or Váralja, it was home to artisans, merchants, the famous fishermen of Fisherman’s Bastion) and even some noble families who built homes and gardens on the steep hillsides of the Buda Castle Hill. By the 14th century, a protective stone wall encircled the district, establishing it as an essential part of medieval Buda town. This fortified community flourished with trade and craftsmanship, creating a vibrant settlement at the foot of the royal castle.
Watertown faced significant destruction in 1686 during the wars to reclaim Buda from Ottoman Turks rule. Afterward, German merchants and artisans were encouraged to settle in the deserted desolate area, bringing a distinct Baroque influence that shaped the architectural style of the district. These new residents included craftsmen who worked with stone, brick, wood, and metal and cultivated vineyards on the nearby hillsides. This cosmopolitan population, including Germans, Southern Slavs, Slovaks, and Hungarians, primarily shared a Catholic faith, uniting them as a community and reclaimed the mosques (transformed from Christian churches) after the Buda Castle was regained from the 150-year Turkish occupation. Other religions were only permitted after Emperor Joseph II’s 1781 Edict of Tolerance, gradually increasing the neighbourhood’s diversity—though Judaism remained an exception, as evidenced by the Medieval Jewish Prayer House in the Buda Castle District.
By the 19th century, Watertown under the Fisherman’s Bastion Buda Castle saw a transformation along the river Danube in Budapest, with the construction of a row of palatial buildings. The lively Batthyány Square became a key marketplace and hub for not only river commerce, but also for land based major commercial routes utilising the once Roman main road. Today Batthyany Square boasts one of the largest historical Market Halls in Budapest built around the same time as its more well known counterpart, the Great Market Hall, the most well known iconic Budapest Market Hall at the Liberty Bridge.
Roman Times – Turkish Times – Habsburg Times – Modern Times
The district’s evolution continued as its old walls and narrow streets preserved the charm of past eras. Watertown followed the trends of many European settlements, and typically the Hungarian history in Buda and Pest towns, experiencing waves of growth and destruction. Remnants of ancient civilisations were uncovered here, including a Roman road beneath Main Street (in Hungarian ‘Fő utca’) connecting Aquincum, the Roman settlement in Old Buda (Obuda district) with other major routes. You will also find a Roman bath (later on Turkish Bath) at the site of today’s Király Bath. Batthyány Square hosted large fairs, cementing the district’s role in the flow of commerce. During the Ottoman occupation, mosques replaced churches, and the Turks built the still-standing octagonal pools of Király Bath, which highlights the cultural shifts the area has seen.
Today, Watertown maintains a delightful blend of the old and the new, with historic streets, landmarks, and quiet, tree-lined neighbourhoods coexisting with lively commercial hubs. The district’s evolving architecture, from medieval fortifications to 19th-century palaces, reflects the slow but steady growth of Buda compared to its more industrious counterpart, the flat Pest side of Budapest. This preserved character makes Watertown / Víziváros a captivating area for those interested in Budapest’s rich past and the daily life of its residents, inviting both locals and visitors to explore a slice of history by the river.
