Honestly, we are to the point where we cannot remember what we have seen or done. There are so many beautiful things in all these cities, it is almost overwhelming! But, on we go to Budapest!
First of all, it is pronounced BUDA-PESCHT. So - we have to try to get that right!
A few overall impressions first:
- no masks are required anywhere (radical change from Germany and Austria)
- the streets are very narrow, compared to Vienna
- the metro is extensive - but their app is good (2nd oldest underground). you can take regular buses, tram-buses (these are electric, so tied to the lines above the roads), streetcars or subways. the map has buses in blue, streetcars are yellow and subway is red. the map is complicated.
- we call the buses "formula one" buses because the driving is a bit extreme at times!
- the escalators down into the subway move FAST, long and steep - it is frightening the first time you step on. we were all astonished at the pace - everyone leans into it a bit like Olympic skiers on the BIG ski jump. crazy!
- we are struggling with the language of course. it is not a Latin-based language so we have no roots to recognize. apparently it is more like Finnish and Estonian. For example: Gyogyszertar - that is a street name. Difficult.
- this seems to be a city that has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. Many conflicts have happened in this place. The people of Hungary have been in Budapest since 896.
- things are much less expensive than in Vienna
Now, on to some sights:
On Sunday we went up to Buda Hill. View of castle/palace from Danube bridge.
Castle/Palace grounds
Matthias Church. Historical records suggest that it was originally built in the 11th century. This is the second largest church in Budapest. During the years of Turkish occupation it was converted to a mosque.
Fisherman's Bastion, built 1895-1902 as an extension of the original city wall to mark the millennial anniversary of Hungarian statehood.
Very difficult to get a ticket for this sight - the machines do not like to take money or issue tickets.
Carsten is, as usual, looking for the WC.
The inside of Matthias Church.
I call this seat "NFL Sunday" - if you sit here the Pastor will never see you! Also, it is only wide enough for 2 persons so really, no one would know if you were watching the game on your phone.
altar
Church of Maria Magdalene. Built in 13th century, only the tower (which we climbed) and the ruins remain.
It was a very nice day on Buda Hill. We had a nice meal and walked 17,300 steps. But, the day is not quite done.
We took a night cruise on the Danube.
Parliament Building (we have tickets to tour on Friday).
Liberty Bridge
Buda Castle/Palace
Sunday was a lovely day - but we have much more to see and do!
Monday we started with a trip to the market. Built in the late 19th century, the market has everything you need ... and many things you do not need of course.
After shopping we took some time to relax at the Szechenyi Thermal Baths. These baths were the first built in Pest on the left bank of the Danube. Built between 1909-1913, the medicinal waters of the Spa are sourced from a depth of 1,246 meters (about 4000 feet), its temperature being 76 degrees Celsius (170 F). They have 18 different pools with water temperatures ranging from 68 F to 104 F.
We found some nice warm ones both outside and inside. The architecture inside made for a lovely and relaxing setting.
Another great day.
Tuesday began with Dohany Street Synagogue. Largest in Europe, second largest in the world behind Emanu-El in New York City. On the edge of the Jewish ghetto, it was in the area where the Jewish people were confined at the end of WW2.
This garden is a cemetery for the 2200 dead in the Jewish ghetto when it was liberated by the Soviet Army in 1945. Most of the graves are unknown. The deaths in the ghetto came over a period of only 7 weeks. Prior to confinement in the ghetto hundreds of thousands of Hungarian Jews were sent to Auschwitz and killed.
This is a weeping willow monument with leaves naming the victims of the Holocaust. It is meant to look like an upside-down menorah.
the inside of the Synagogue (Falk and Carsten had to wear a kippot to enter)
Next stop, back across the river to the "Buda" side, to Gellert Hill. We are taking mass transit - it is an adventure but Falk is a great navigator! Unfortunately there is some construction going on so we were not able to get too close to the Soviet monument commemorating the liberation from the Nazis at the end of WWII).
The views from the hill are incredible.
We decided to take another Tour by Local - this time I literally asked the guide how old she was before we booked the tour. Carsten was somewhat appalled. whatever.
The tour was called "Rooftops of Budapest" so we saw things from a somewhat different angle at times. It was fun!
St. Stephen's Basilica facts:
- over 1,000 years old
- 96 meters tall (same as Parliament - no building can be higher). the 96 is significant in Hungarian history - 896 was when the Hungarian people settled in this area.
- the statue over the altar is not Jesus, it is St. Stephen. Very strange.
- the right hand of St. Stephen is in the church
- Ferenc Puskas, considered to be one of the best Hungarian soccer players ever is buried in the church. so, the joke is that the most holy right hand and best left leg in Hungary are in the church.
- building can hold up to 8500 people
- it has a massive pipe organ
- the door (below) has the 12 disciples
Relic of Stephan's hand
The below is a memorial to remember the victims of the Holocaust. There was a controversy because the memorial placed all the blame for this atrocity on the German Nazis without recognizing the complicity of the Hungarian people/government/military. The people bring mementos of the victims (in the foreground) as a living memorial.
Our next rooftop was the bar on top of The President Hotel. Some lovely views as the city lit up and had a nice drink as well.
We were quite tired by the end of this day and slept well!
We shall finish up Budapest another day.
Take care,
Sheri & Carsten
GO ASTROS!!!!!
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