Hungary is an interesting country. Just a 100 years ago, it was very powerful, participating in the rule of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Then they made the mistake of siding with Hitler in WWII and were eventually 'liberated' by the Soviets leaving them a Communist state until 1989. Today Hungary is poor, but our experience in Budapest (boo'-dah-pescht) was great. The people were very friendly and the city is lovely.
Hungary has a few famous sons, Rubik - the inventor of the Rubik's Cube is from here and you see them on sale in the souvenir shops. Edward Teller (A-Bomb), John Von Neuman (computers) and the founder of Intel, Andy Grove are Hungarian too.
Budapest is really two cities, "Buda" and (you guessed it) "Pest" divided by the Danube river. The word 'pest' goes back to a Slavic word for "oven" and is named that because the whole area sits on thermal springs. One of the most popular local activities is soaking in the thermal baths, and they have huge facilities for doing it. We didn't have a lot of time, and were a little squeamish about the idea, so we passed on that. The guide book describes "fat men in speedos and old women in bikinis." We weren't up for that.
The Cityscape
Hungary has a few famous sons, Rubik - the inventor of the Rubik's Cube is from here and you see them on sale in the souvenir shops. Edward Teller (A-Bomb), John Von Neuman (computers) and the founder of Intel, Andy Grove are Hungarian too.
Budapest is really two cities, "Buda" and (you guessed it) "Pest" divided by the Danube river. The word 'pest' goes back to a Slavic word for "oven" and is named that because the whole area sits on thermal springs. One of the most popular local activities is soaking in the thermal baths, and they have huge facilities for doing it. We didn't have a lot of time, and were a little squeamish about the idea, so we passed on that. The guide book describes "fat men in speedos and old women in bikinis." We weren't up for that.
The Cityscape
Great Synagogue
Budapest has a large Jewish population, and in Hungary over 600,000 Jews were exterminated during the war after Hitler took over the country. This Synagogue is the second largest in the world, after the one in New York. After WWII it was refurbished with finanacial support from Tony Curtis, he and his daughter Jamie Lee are supporters today.
Matthias church
An incredible looking church that was so dark inside, it was difficult to get good shots. But take a look at the walls - unlike any church we have seen. You can see the outside is being refurbished.
Statue of St Istvan
He was the first Christian king and had an interesting "missionary style." If you would not convert to Christianity, he would cut off you head. To make his point he quartered his uninterested uncle and sent each quarter on tour as a missionary aid. It worked.
He was the first Christian king and had an interesting "missionary style." If you would not convert to Christianity, he would cut off you head. To make his point he quartered his uninterested uncle and sent each quarter on tour as a missionary aid. It worked.
Danube at night
We took a boat ride down the Danube to see the buildings lit up. It was beautiful, poorly captured in these shots because we were inside the boat (very cold outside). As you can see, Brittany was more interested in the Game Boy - but the rest of us enjoyed it.
The Fisherman's Bastion
The seven spires represent the seven Magyar (mud-jar) tribes. The Magyar settled Hungary a 1000 years ago. The cones represent the style of tent they used.
The old fisherman's market was just below this point, so the fishermen had responsibility for guarding this corner of the castle, hence the name.
The old fisherman's market was just below this point, so the fishermen had responsibility for guarding this corner of the castle, hence the name.
Parliament
Interesting story ... this building was built to house the government of Eastern Europe, the Austro-Hungarian empire. But today, it only houses the government of Hungary, so only uses about 1/8 of the building. It is designed after the British House of Parliament, all the way to being positioned on the river, just like the one in London.
Interesting story ... this building was built to house the government of Eastern Europe, the Austro-Hungarian empire. But today, it only houses the government of Hungary, so only uses about 1/8 of the building. It is designed after the British House of Parliament, all the way to being positioned on the river, just like the one in London.
The Chain Bridge (aka Szechenyi Lanchid)
150 years ago the only connection between Buda and Pest across the Danube were pontoon barges that had to be removed in the winter. In good weather they still could cross by ferry, in bad weather they crossed on the ice of the frozen river. It was not uncommon to get stuck on one side or the other waiting for the river to re-thaw. That happened to Count Szechenyi, causing him to miss his father's funeral. That inspired his commissioning the city's first bridge. Note the lions guarding the entrance.
150 years ago the only connection between Buda and Pest across the Danube were pontoon barges that had to be removed in the winter. In good weather they still could cross by ferry, in bad weather they crossed on the ice of the frozen river. It was not uncommon to get stuck on one side or the other waiting for the river to re-thaw. That happened to Count Szechenyi, causing him to miss his father's funeral. That inspired his commissioning the city's first bridge. Note the lions guarding the entrance.
Hero's Square / Millennium Monument
The Magyar tribes moved into the area that became Hungary in 896. A thousand years later, 1896, the country threw a gigantic celebration of its anniversary. For the celebration it built many of its most famous monuments, including this monument, the Parliament building, the Opera House, Matthias Church (rebuilt), St Istvan's Basilica, and the Fisherman's Bastion.
The top of the 118 foot tall pillar is the angel Gabriel offering the crown to St Istvan who would then convert the country to Christiandom. Around the base, on horseback, are the most famous Hungarians in history. It is cool, it looks like they are riding together and the horses are walking around the pillar.
The Magyar tribes moved into the area that became Hungary in 896. A thousand years later, 1896, the country threw a gigantic celebration of its anniversary. For the celebration it built many of its most famous monuments, including this monument, the Parliament building, the Opera House, Matthias Church (rebuilt), St Istvan's Basilica, and the Fisherman's Bastion.
The top of the 118 foot tall pillar is the angel Gabriel offering the crown to St Istvan who would then convert the country to Christiandom. Around the base, on horseback, are the most famous Hungarians in history. It is cool, it looks like they are riding together and the horses are walking around the pillar.
St Istvan's Cathedral
Very interesting. Although this is a Christian church, the statue over the alter is St Istvan (Stephen). The most interesting (grisly?) thing about the interior is they have his right hand ("the holy right hand") in a jeweled box in a little chapel. You had to pay extra to see it, so we passed, but I got a picture of the sign that shows what it looks like. Ewww!
Very interesting. Although this is a Christian church, the statue over the alter is St Istvan (Stephen). The most interesting (grisly?) thing about the interior is they have his right hand ("the holy right hand") in a jeweled box in a little chapel. You had to pay extra to see it, so we passed, but I got a picture of the sign that shows what it looks like. Ewww!
Miscellaneous buildings ...
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