The Fisherman's Bastion is one of Budapest most famous landmarks.  From the Bastion, the views of the Danube and the "Pest" side of the city are simply breathtaking. 

This imposing structure beautifully complements the Castle District of Budapest.  Almost fairytale-like in appearance, its decorative white rampart and impressive flowing staircases stretch alongside the "Buda" side of the city.  It is a spectacular looking-out terrace which creates an unforgettable image.  Disney would have been proud.  In all, there are seven round towers, each symbolizing the seven tribes that gave rise to Hungary a thousand years earlier. 

The aim of the bastion was to decorate the Castle and Church panorama, when seen from the "Pest" side of the Danube.  According to tradition, the area once housed a local fish market during medieval times and the guild of fishermen guarded this portion of the Danube, thus it was named after that.  Built between 1895 and 1902 in mixed Romanesque and Neo-Gothic style, it was designed by Frigyes Schulek. 

The bronze equestrian statue of King St. Stephen dominates the courtyard between the Bastion and the church.  It was sculpted by Alajos Strobl in 1906 from plans by Frigyes Schulek.  The base illustrates episodes in the King's life.  His reign was considered one of several golden eras in Hungarian history.

The Bastion looks as if it might have played an important role during the history of Hungary, but the present Fishermen's Bastion has never had any role of defense.