Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and it is also known as the "Pearl on the River Danube". The two banks of the River Danube, west and east, were the two cities Buda and Pest. Starting from 1873, they were united into a single city now called Budapest. Buda, on the west bank, holds the highlands. Castle Hill gathers together many scenic spots and symbolic landmarks such as Halaszbastya (Fisherman's Bastion) and Matthias Church. The hill is also a great place for beautiful views of distant Pest. Pest, on the east bank, is mostly flat. This is the site of the magnificent Hungarian parliament building, as well as famous shopping streets.