Budapest - 1 Day in Buda, 1 Day in Pest...

 

Another short city break - this time to the city of Budapest, Hungary on the river Danube. Spent two days in amazing weather exploring this historic place.

The Aria Rooftop

Stayed in this hotel mainly for its rooftop view.

Aria Lobby

But it also has a music theme and someone playing the piano each day - what's not to like?

From Above...

This is a type of fountain in central Budapest, near the St Stephen Basilica.

... and below

And this is what's below - absolutely loved this and the atmosphere especially with the sunlight patterns was really soothing.

Street Life

The area just next to the aforementioned fountain cafe.

Fly

A skate park just next to the fountain.

Walk to wisdom

A priest walks towards the entrance of the St Stephen Basilica.

Miniature Gang

Visited the miniature wonderland...

Visitors

... which had some intriguing artifacts on display.

Mixed Reality.

Houses and.. what?

Miniature Wonderland

While nicely done, I guess it can't compete to the one in Hamburg which I really want to see soon.

Control Centre

Probably one of the coolest jobs out there.

Organs

Was lucky enough to be able to listen to an organ player in one of the city's many churches - love the sound of this instrument. Sing Hallelujah!

Underground

I always wonder what's below the old churches in many European cities - at the Parish Church they put glass windows into the ground to see it, and you could walk into the church basements.

Dark Clouds

Looming over the house of god. A sign?

Sun is out

Had great weather for all three days - here's a view over the Danube river towards the Buda castle.

Fisherman

A man fishing on the shores of the Danube.

Gellert Caves

The Buda side of Budapest is full of natural caves - some of them accessible.

The Pest Side

The pest side of Budapest at sunset.

Partial Selfie.

All you get.

Local Dance

Ran into an event where some local girls performed a typical Hungarian dance with bottles on their head. Not sure what this signifies.

Parliament at Sunset

The Hungarian parliament building shortly after sunset.

Hungarian Parliament

And one more shot, once the lights were on, with one of the many cruise and dinner ships passing by on the Danube.

Local Food

I didn't get to try a lot of local food, but can always recommend Hungarian Salami!

Watch out

A statue of someone (?) on October 6th street.

Model

A model in of the St Stephen's church.

Stairs

Couldn't resist walking up to the top - 300 steps!

At the top

And the view you get as a reward.

Not quite stable.

While generally a well maintained and clean city from what I saw, some parts need extra fixing.

Mathias Church

Seen from the St Stephen's basilica roof. The questionable architecture of the Hilton just next to it.

The Dome

The inside of the St Stephen's basilica dome.

Crossing Bridges

A monument near the Hungarian parliament. Couldn't figure out what it represents.

The Parliament

Definitely the most impressive building in Budapest.

Rings

Budapest applied for the 2024 Olympic Games.

The Logo

And here is the logo and its meaning.

Cave Church

A church inside Gellert Hill, formerly used as a monastery and hospital during the second world war.

Wood

One of the artifacts of the church, hand carved in wood.

Salami Land

Did I mention Hungary is famous for Salami?

Central Market Hall

With lots of local produce over three stories.

Colours

Things I rarely eat.

When your food smiles at you

A little too literally.

Movable Book Store

Couldn't find much in English though.

Writing

What better place for drafting your next novel?

Dohány Street Synagogue

The inside of the Moorish Synagogue in Budapest.

Synagogue Interiors

If I'm not mistaken this was the first time I ever entered a Synagogue.

Memorial

A second world war memorial and cemetery is outside the church.

Strange Places

Szimpla Kert, possibly the weirdest pub I've ever seen with its random interior and artifacts. On the other hand, seemingly the most popular bar in the city.

Interiors 1

No comment.

Interiors 2

No further comment.

Interiors 3

Still no comment.

Contrasts

On the other side of the spectrum, this is the interior of New York cafe.

New York Cafe

Renaissance style and opened in 1894.

Reflections

Part of the Fisherman's bastion reflecting in the nearby Hilton hotel.

Framed

The Matthias church seen through some of the windows at the Fisherman's Bastion.

Castle District

A road in the castle district at sunset.

Posing

Some girls were posing at the Holy Trinity statue in front of the Matthias church.

Change your Focus

To get a new perspective. The chain bridge in the background.

Buda Castle at Night

Buda Castle seen from the Pest side of the Danube, just next to the Chain bridge.

Chain Bridge

And here's the view towards the right.

Budapest Eye

Budapest's ferris wheel.

Matthias Church Tower

Of course I had to walk up this one as well, 200 stairs only this time.

Progress

More than half way.

The View

And the view looking east. Note the roof tiles of the church.

Tiles

The tiles were replaced in the 90s during a renovation, but some of the original ones can still be seen in the church.

Chimneys

Seems like there's a lot of fireplaces in the houses in the castle district.

Matthias Church Interior

The inside of the church. Unfortunately the light wasn't great and it was very crowded and noisy.

Windows

Some of the beautiful glass windows - spoilt by the strange hanging lamps that were installed.

Music

Original sheets by Franz List, one of the most famous Hungarian composers from the 19th century.

Hospital in the Rock

The entrance is in the castle wall and the hospital's rooms were built from the natural rock. It was used as a hospital in the second world war.

The Birds of Hiroshima

During the Cold War, the hospital was upgraded as a nuclear bunker and currently hosts an exhibition - the origami cranes intend to remind of Sadako Sasaki, who folded them in the hospital before dying from the effects of the bomb.

The Chain Bridge

View from Buda castle, with the St Stephen basilica in the background.