{"id":3686,"date":"2017-03-19T20:23:33","date_gmt":"2017-03-19T20:23:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/?p=3686"},"modified":"2019-01-09T13:52:12","modified_gmt":"2019-01-09T13:52:12","slug":"eastern-europe-day-8-budapest-hungary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/2017\/03\/eastern-europe-day-8-budapest-hungary\/","title":{"rendered":"Eastern Europe Day 8 – Budapest, Hungary"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amazing Budapest<\/a>, Hungary<\/strong><\/p>\n

Beside the breathtaking cruise ride in the evening, what else in Budapest?<\/p>\n

Budapest was an interesting\u00a0city. Even though I felt like we saw a lot today, I still think we just scratched the surface of what Budapest has to offer.<\/p>\n

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Hero Square\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is one of the major Square in Budapest. \u00a0It\u00a0was surrounded by two important buildings, Museum of Fine Arts on the left and Palace of Art.<\/p>\n

Museum of Fine Arts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Museum of Fine Arts is a museum with an exquisite collection of European art, housed in a monumental classical building. \u00a0It was closed for renovation when we visited and it will only resume operating in Mar 2018. \u00a0You can see there is fence blocking visitors from entering the premises.<\/p>\n

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Palace of Arts Museum<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Palace of Arts Museum is a temporary Arts Museum. \u00a0 \u00a0Both of the museums are located in Hero Square.<\/p>\n

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Millennium Monument -Unesco Site<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the center of Heroes’ Square stands the Millennium Monument. \u00a0The monument was built for the 1896 Millennium celebrations, that\u2019s why it is called Millennium Monument.<\/p>\n

The top is a statue of the archangel Gabriel. \u00a0Behind the column is a semicircular colonnade with statues of famous men who made their mark on Hungarian history. \u00a0Statues atop the colonnades symbolize War, Peace, Work and Welfare, and Knowledge and Glory. \u00a0Not very clear in the below picture.<\/p>\n

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Coincidentally there was a group of dancers having some photography session when we arrived at the Hero Square. \u00a0The bright colors of their costume make a great contrast in the picture.<\/p>\n

Hero Square is also a place to gather for the local if some political demonstration is going on.<\/p>\n

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Danube River divided the two cities<\/strong><\/p>\n

Two cities merges into one, Buda and Pest. \u00a0Pest is on the left side in the picture where the Parliament Building is located.<\/p>\n

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Chain Bridge<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chain bridge spans the river Danube and connects Buda to Pest, the two cities and make one Budapest.<\/p>\n

If you are a fan of Katy Perry, then you will know in Katy Perry’s music video “Firework”, it is featured at the beginning!<\/p>\n

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Funicular ride to go up Castle Hill<\/strong><\/p>\n

Funicular is the coolest way to climb up Castle Hill. \u00a0It was first built in 1870, the Funicular provides the commanding views of Budapest city.
\nThe funicular was totally destroyed during World War 2 and for reopen again in 1986. \u00a0It has two 24 person trolley-style cars which easily climbs up the 48% incline slope.<\/p>\n

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Castle Hill Ruins near Buda Castle<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Buda Castle<\/strong><\/p>\n

Buda Castle is the historical castle and palace complex of the Hungarian kings in Budapest<\/a>, it was also called as Royal Castle and Royal Palace.<\/p>\n

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It is also known as Buda Castle and it was at the Buda side. \u00a0It was built in the southern tip of the Castle Hill.<\/p>\n

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Changing Guards on Buda Castle Hill\/Royal Palace<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Beethoven In Budapest<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Beethoven performed here in 1800. The concert hall is part of the palace castle complex on the Buda side of the Danube River.<\/p>\n

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Matthias Church<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Matthias Church is a Roman Catholic church located in front of the Fisherman’s Bastion at the heart of Buda’s Castle District. \u00a0The Church was first built by the first King of Hungary, King Stephen but then later was destroyed by the Mongols. Later it was named after King Matthias in 19th century who held two of his weddings there.<\/p>\n

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There are also classical concerts held in the Matthias Church!<\/p>\n

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Statue of St Stephen<\/strong><\/p>\n

The famous Statue of St. Stephen in Budapest. \u00a0St Stephen is the first King of Hungary. \u00a0The pedestal and the statue of St Stephen look grand from afar and near.<\/p>\n

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Plenty of European architecture for us to enjoy in Castle Hill.<\/p>\n

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Fisherman Bastion<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fisherman Bastion is a famous lookout area and it was built to\u00a0commemorate the fishermen who protected this part of the city.<\/p>\n

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You can see the Budapest Parliament Building and Danube River and the beautiful Pest side of the Budapest city. \u00a0This place offer outstanding viewpoint and beautiful architecture.<\/p>\n

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This is also a great place to explore “Buda” side. \u00a0The Castle Hill is really old but well maintained. \u00a0Lots of cobblestones to walk on so a pair of comfy shoes would make your life easier.<\/p>\n

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Gellert Hill<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Gellert Hill is a 235 m high hill overlooking the Danube in Budapest. Gellert Hill was named after Saint Gerard, Hungary’s first missionary who was thrown to death from the hill.<\/p>\n

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A great view to see Budapest<\/a> city and the Danube river from the top of the hill. \u00a0Long time ago, this hill was for growing\u00a0grapes for winery but nowadays this place is an affluent residential area.<\/p>\n

St. Stephen’s Basilica<\/strong><\/p>\n

After some shopping in the city of Budapest, we walked for a short distance to St. Stephen’s Basilica, it was the sixth largest church building in Hungary before 1920. \u00a0The name is also called after the first King of Hungary, St. Stephen.<\/p>\n

This is the most important church building in Hungary, one of the most significant tourist attractions and the third highest church in Hungary.<\/p>\n

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Metro in Budapest<\/strong><\/p>\n

After dinner we experienced the Metro – oldest electrified underground railway system on the European continent, and the second-oldest electrically operated underground railway in the world.<\/p>\n

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The number of lines only 4 and the system is mostly underground. \u00a0We catch the metro to one of the shopping mall to do more shopping.<\/p>\n

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Budapest<\/a> Itinerary – Day 8<\/strong><\/p>\n