Budapest
Budapest, Hungary’s capital, is bisected by the River Danube. Its 19th-century Chain Bridge connects the hilly Buda district with flat Pest. A funicular runs up Castle Hill to Buda’s Old Town, where the Budapest History Museum traces city life from Roman times onward. Trinity Square is home to 13th-century Matthias Church and the turrets of the Fishermen’s Bastion, which offer sweeping views.
As we start to drive around Budapest, we spy an intriguing building
Is it a whale? is it a sand worm from Dune? Nope it’s a shopping mall.
Fortunately we are on the bus – maybe later??
Gellert? A quick Google search shows it is a bath and spa – checkout gellertspa.com a definite for next time in Budapest!!
Meanwhile the wheels on the bus go round and round…
Finally we pause again, and a short walk up a cobblestone street (how I have come to loathe cobblestones) will lead to Matthias church..
Here, even the sunburnt and weary may take a rest, pull out their phone, and get back to work.
The walkways round the church provide extensive views over Budapest
Even the horses need some TLC, even if they are bronze.
The Great Synagogue
Built in the 1850s, it is the largest synagogue in Europe, and second largest in the world. It is designed on Moorish principles, and in many ways resembles a mosque.
As a memorial to the horror of life under different regimes, notably the facists and the Russians, the building that housed these organisations has been converted to a museum. The signage is certainly different.
Next stop was the ‘Hero’s Square‘
The square was originally laid out in 1896 to mark the thousandth anniversary of Hungary. The statues have been replaced to reflect the changing regimes of Hungary.
Getting away from from the historic stuff, lunch beckons at Gundel. After a heavy morning, the appeal of a ‘light lunch’ drags some with a strong magnetic pull:
Inside, the staff wait with some apprehension.
Jim tries to figure out this plate thing, Bill looks unimpressed and Helen seems suspicious about the whole deal. Actually I found the food fantastic, but dispute the defintion of light.
After lunch, feeling like a nap on the bus rather than actually having to do more sightseeing, we head off to the Hungarian Parliament.
As an introduction, there are the obligatory statues and ornate buidings.
While the plebs take the 1,000,000 steps, the priveledged few take the austere lift.
Then there are the halls of power, over written by the seats of power, proof that sitting is more powerful than striding.
From days gone bye, when smoking cigars was a symbol of power and indulgence, numbered cigar holders were provided, so germs need not be shared.
After all this, Faye finally found her ideal man, and Elise and Gemma, exhausted by it all, could only find one seat to recover on.
The weary have not finished yet!!
Next stop is the Basilica of St Stephen.
Back in the day, actually round 1000AD, Stephen was the first king of Hungary. After he carked it, he was buried in the basilica. When he was disinterred for reburial, that found that one of his hands had not rotted like the rest of his body, but had been ‘Miraculously’ preserved. It is now on display in the basilica’s reliquary.
And finally to Dinner…
Starting with a wine tasting, the meandering on to the food.
