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.
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.
Stayed in this hotel mainly for its rooftop view.
But it also has a music theme and someone playing the piano each day - what's not to like?
This is a type of fountain in central Budapest, near the St Stephen Basilica.
And this is what's below - absolutely loved this and the atmosphere especially with the sunlight patterns was really soothing.
The area just next to the aforementioned fountain cafe.
A skate park just next to the fountain.
A priest walks towards the entrance of the St Stephen Basilica.
Visited the miniature wonderland...
... which had some intriguing artifacts on display.
Houses and.. what?
While nicely done, I guess it can't compete to the one in Hamburg which I really want to see soon.
Probably one of the coolest jobs out there.
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!
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.
Looming over the house of god. A sign?
Had great weather for all three days - here's a view over the Danube river towards the Buda castle.
A man fishing on the shores of the Danube.
The Buda side of Budapest is full of natural caves - some of them accessible.
The pest side of Budapest at sunset.
All you get.
Ran into an event where some local girls performed a typical Hungarian dance with bottles on their head. Not sure what this signifies.
The Hungarian parliament building shortly after sunset.
And one more shot, once the lights were on, with one of the many cruise and dinner ships passing by on the Danube.
I didn't get to try a lot of local food, but can always recommend Hungarian Salami!
A statue of someone (?) on October 6th street.
A model in of the St Stephen's church.
Couldn't resist walking up to the top - 300 steps!
And the view you get as a reward.
While generally a well maintained and clean city from what I saw, some parts need extra fixing.
Seen from the St Stephen's basilica roof. The questionable architecture of the Hilton just next to it.
The inside of the St Stephen's basilica dome.
A monument near the Hungarian parliament. Couldn't figure out what it represents.
Definitely the most impressive building in Budapest.
Budapest applied for the 2024 Olympic Games.
And here is the logo and its meaning.
A church inside Gellert Hill, formerly used as a monastery and hospital during the second world war.
One of the artifacts of the church, hand carved in wood.
Did I mention Hungary is famous for Salami?
With lots of local produce over three stories.
Things I rarely eat.
A little too literally.
Couldn't find much in English though.
What better place for drafting your next novel?
The inside of the Moorish Synagogue in Budapest.
If I'm not mistaken this was the first time I ever entered a Synagogue.
A second world war memorial and cemetery is outside the church.
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.
No comment.
No further comment.
Still no comment.
On the other side of the spectrum, this is the interior of New York cafe.
Renaissance style and opened in 1894.
Part of the Fisherman's bastion reflecting in the nearby Hilton hotel.
The Matthias church seen through some of the windows at the Fisherman's Bastion.
A road in the castle district at sunset.
Some girls were posing at the Holy Trinity statue in front of the Matthias church.
To get a new perspective. The chain bridge in the background.
Buda Castle seen from the Pest side of the Danube, just next to the Chain bridge.
And here's the view towards the right.
Budapest's ferris wheel.
Of course I had to walk up this one as well, 200 stairs only this time.
More than half way.
And the view looking east. Note the roof tiles of the church.
The tiles were replaced in the 90s during a renovation, but some of the original ones can still be seen in the church.
Seems like there's a lot of fireplaces in the houses in the castle district.
The inside of the church. Unfortunately the light wasn't great and it was very crowded and noisy.
Some of the beautiful glass windows - spoilt by the strange hanging lamps that were installed.
Original sheets by Franz List, one of the most famous Hungarian composers from the 19th century.
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.
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.
View from Buda castle, with the St Stephen basilica in the background.