Buda
Categories: Hungary geography stubs | Budapest
Buda (German: Ofen) is the western part of the Hungarian capital Budapest on the right bank of the Danube. The name Buda was said to take its name from its founder, Buda, or Budda, although the name is more likely derived from a local word meaning "water", probably a reference to the Danube River.
Buda comprises about one-third of Budapest's complete territory and is mostly wooded and hilly. It is usually associated with a higher standard of living, although this depends on the area. Its most notable landmark is the Buda Castle.
Buda was the capital of Hungary from 1361 until its capture by the Ottoman Empire in 1541; the new capital of Hungary became Pozsony, the current Slovak capital Bratislava. In 1686 Buda was captured by Austria, but because of its devastation from warfare, numerous Germans were brought in to help resettle the city. Buda was declared a free royal town in 1703, and became the Hungarian capital again in 1784. Buda was united with the towns Óbuda and Pest in 1873 to form Budapest.
Buda is also the name of towns in southern Illinois and central Texas, USA.