Ever since the 13th Century the dramatic hill that rises above the right bank of Danube had the Royal Palace and was the seat of Hungarian kings. On the northern part of the Castle Hill a Royal town was formed overlooking the slow flow of Danube. Trinity Square with St. Matthias church was the center of this part of the town.
In the Middle Ages town was fortified ? today the Water Gate and Vienna Gate are the remainders of old town gates, and the Castle Promenade runs on the place where once city walls stood.
Most of the 19th and 20th Century developments happenned in the plains of the Pest side, so the Castle Hill has kept the charm of the old times with its tiny medieval streets and houses and pompous Royal castle side by side.

