We arrived in Budapest during the morning of Sunday 22nd. In fact we sailed through the city and then turned back to face west (for the ongoing voyage) to dock near the Elizabeth Bridge (named after Emperor Franz-Joseph's assassinated wife, Sisi). There are eight major bridges across the Danube here and hence the place is sometimes known as the City of Bridges. All were destroyed by the Nazi forces on their retreat from the Red Army in 1945 and have been rebuilt subsequently.
I spent some time in the city previously (March 2016; Blog #209 refers) with many more photos and stories from then if you are interested. So I will just show below what we saw, or were 'guided' to on this visit, and what I remembered.
Left: Heading west towards the city centre. As you may be aware the city is divided by the river, with 'Buda' on the north side and 'Pest' on the south side. Buda is the 'posh' side; hilly and wooded and with smart 'green' expensive residential areas plus various famous old buildings. Pest is on flat ground and is the commercial and 'social' side with most of the bars, markets and 'entertainments'
Right: We passed the impressive Gothic style Parliament Building on the Pest side (opened in 1902). Freddie Mercury and Queen gave a performance somewhere here in 1986 (Hungarian Rhapsody); the last tour to feature Mr Mercury. Apparently it made quite an impression.
Left: Some impressive buildings on the Buda side.
Right: ..........and some more. I really can't remember what they are.
The 'castle' area is at the top of the steep hill on the Buda side (more about that later). In the distance (Buda side again) on top of Gellert Hill (near the Citadel) is the 'Liberty Statue'.
Right: This is of a lady holding a large palm leaf above her head. Or, according to some, waving her knickers at passing sailors.
After lunch we were again divided into small groups; half to go around Pest and the other half by bus up the Castle Hill in Buda. I was again in the 'yellow' group and we went across the bridge to Buda (I think the Széchenyi bridge) and upwards. There is a more amusing way to get to the top which I used on my previous visit; the Funicular (left) but not this time.
I don't remember seeing the castle but, with another very 'talkative' lady guide, we ended up in Holy Trinity Square around the elegant Matthias Church. Right: the impressive Holy Trinity Monument.
Left: Matthias Church, amongst other names such as 'Church of Our Lady', 'Church of the Assumption' or the 'Coronation Church of Buda'. Take your pick. Coronations did take place here.
Which we went into (hats off!). Right: The grand interior.
Left: A side chapel of the 'Black' Madonna.
Right: ....and a 'crypt' housing a long dead couple (Fred and Doris?). Can't remember.
I have been advised by the ever-alert watchdog 'OMPITA' that the couple here are the late King Béla 111 of Hungary and his wife Agnes.
Left: On the square outside is a statue of King (subsequently Saint) Stephen 1.
Right: Overlooking the city from here is the Fishermen's Bastion. It has seven of these pointy towers and you can walk along the parapet between them.
Left: To get a good view over the river towards Pest.
I think that was all we had time for in Buda, so back on the bus to Pest. Where our Yellow Group (right) was met by another guide, a knowledgeable young guy who was not lost for words, who took us through the streets in the bus and pointed out so many important buildings, including the 'Grand' (but not so Grand as the Viennese), Opera house, cinemas, restaurants, embassies etc. etc.,and a smart hotel which his father had worked in and was followed by one of the Soviet 'agents' or some such story, that I have forgotten most of it.
We'debussed' in Hero's Square in the East of the city. This vast square features a tall monument (left) which was topped by the Archangel Gabriel. Unfortunately he had broken a wing and was now under repair in a Swiss workshop.
Right: Behind are two large curved monuments featuring all the rulers of this part of the world from St Stephen onwards. We were treated to a long history lecture on Huns and Magyars (the original Asian, Siberian, tribe) which inhabited what is now Hungary and whose unique language they now speak. They also inhabited Finland which has a similar language. We were told that 'Magyar' is the world's 3rd most difficult language to learn and their alphabet has 46 letters plus weird tonal sounds. We were made to learn the Magyar word for 'thank you'. It is 'köszi'. Very useful.
Left: The other monument, which features rulers up to the 19th century. Involving Romans, Ottomans, Habsburgs, Austro-Hungarians and goodness knows who else. It was all frightfully complicated. I am little the wiser!
Right: Beyond the Square is a lake and ornate castle (featuring four different architectural styles). This is frozen over in winter when it is floodlit and with musical accompaniment and is a popular venue for ice-skating.
Phew! That will do for what I remember of our afternoon and then back to the 'ship' in time for another 'briefing' and Dinner where our usual foursome was joined by an amusing couple from Alnwick in Northumberland.
After Dinner we were treated to a most impressive performance by a Hungarian band and dance group. I attempt to show some videos below.
At 10.00pm we set off on a round trip up and back down the river for an 'illumination' cruise. So, up to the sun-deck for a good view. To be honest, apart from the illuminated Parliament Building (at top), there was not a lot of illumination of note, or that I noticed. I spent most of the time doing the 'daily crossword' as supplied, along with a 'daily soduku', every morning. Then back to the lounge for a glass of wine, listen to the musical duo for a bit, and bed.
That will do for now. We had not quite finished with Budapest and had some free time to wander the city the following day. To be continued!
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