07.14.09

Hungary for Budapest

Posted in Architecture, History, Landscape, Travel at 10:00 pm by Warren Williams

The hottest day of our tour involved walking the beautiful streets of Budapest with the temperature creeping over 37°C. Budapest was once two cities – Buda and Pest, seperated by the great Danube River which officially combined in 1872.  The Buda side is located on the western banks of the Danube, featuring the hilly terrain and historic castles. Across the river on the expansive Great Plain, lies Pest, where much of the style is on 19th century architecture.

Buda side

Overlooking the Danube

Inside the Terror Museum – some disturbing scenes from WWII victims. Featuring photographs from Jewish victims, historic video footage, and torture devices.

Photography wasn’t permitted in the rest of museum, but was worth visiting for harrowing accounts of concentration camps, suffered by Jewish people from the Hungarian region.

St Stephen’s Cathedral (St István Parish Church) – Is the largest church in Budapest, with building commencing in 1851, but not completed until 1905. This Neo-Renaissance church is often simply known as the Basilica.

Inside the Basilica

Inside the Basilica.

Winding staircase up to the tower

Looking back down the staircase at the Basilica

View from the Basilica, over Pest and the Great Plain

Front view of the Basilica

Mercedes in Budapest 😉

Parliament Building on the scorching day

After walking across the Chain Bridge, headed up the hills into Buda.

With the extreme heat and dehydration setting in, Peter, Nic and I ventured into the Labyrinth of Buda Castle, where the temperature is a constant 14°C and 90% humidity all year round. Without a tripod, photos were near on impossible due to the dark conditions. Walking down one of the corridors the sweet aroma of wine became apparent, where we found a wine fountain.

Wine fountain, Labyrinth (ISO 6400)

Stepping back outside created instant stickiness against the still hot and humid conditions after 6pm local time. Once back at our hostel, a quick freshen up and we were back out again with a few others from the tour group to watch the vibrant sunset from the Chain Bridge spanning the Danube River.

After climbing the bridge supports

A well deserved meal and drinks were rapidly consumed following this physical, but amazing day around this grand city.

Permalink