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Keywords

heritage tourism, UNESCO World Heritage, Budapest, authenticity, post-socialist reconstruction, historical memory, Buda Castle District, heritage politics, reconstruction, national identity, tourism geography

Abstract

This project examines how reconstruction in Budapest’s Buda Castle District shapes perceptions of authenticity and historical memory. Following World War II destruction and socialist rebuilding, post-1989 reconstruction has emphasized a return to imperial-era aesthetics. Using visual and historical analysis, this study shows how different political periods have reshaped the same space to reflect shifting cultural priorities. While the district appears historically cohesive, many structures are reconstructed rather than preserved. This creates tension with UNESCO’s standards of authenticity and integrity. The findings suggest that reconstruction does not simply restore the past but actively reshapes it by prioritizing certain narratives while downplaying others, ultimately influencing how visitors understand history.

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

2026-04-17

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Geography

University Standing at Time of Publication

Senior

Course

GEOG 353

From Crown to Communism to Crown: Reconstruction in Budapest's Castle District reveals how heritage is selectively rebuilt to shape national identity

Included in

Geography Commons

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