Budapest, Hungary

Hungarian Parliament

Continuation from Eger, Hungary

Day 10 (Sunday, September 14th 2008)

After eating a quick breakfast in the restaurant below my hotel, I left Eger and took the 9:30 train to Budapest. I arrived in the city about two hours later where a taxi driver was awaiting my arrival to take me to my bed and breakfast. The taxi driver was extremely friendly and spoke to me in broken Hungarian and German as he drove me through the city, making sure to point out the famous landmarks. I was immediately impressed with Budapest and its beautiful architecture. I was also surprised at how big and sprawling the city was. The best comparison I can come up with regarding the city is that it is a Paris in the making; it has all of the grand boulevards, gorgeous 19th century buildings, and outdoor cafes that the French city has but some areas of Budapest just need a little sprucing up.

I arrived at Bellevue Bed and Breakfast about 15 minutes after leaving the train station. Judit, one of the owners, greeted me at the front door and took me up the three flights of stairs to my room. My room was of a decent size but the best part was the view of the Danube River and the Parliament across the river. After dropping off my things I went downstairs and met Judit’s husband Lajos, who gave me a detailed map of the city and provided me with a ton of information on local restaurants, sightseeing, and public transportation.

I left the bed and breakfast and walked about ten minutes to the M1 metro line. From here, my first stop was the House of Terror Museum, which is housed in what was once the headquarters of the AVH/AVO (Hungary’s secret police during the Communist regime). The museum focuses on life in Hungary during the time of the Nazi invasion and after WWII when communism remained supreme. The House of Terror was one of the best designed and laid out museums I have ever visited. The displays were interactive, realistic, and visually interesting, and there was detailed English handouts in every room. The main atrium of the museum was covered with photos of the many victims who were tortured and then eventually killed in the building. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to take photos within the museum; otherwise, I would have a picture of the atrium to show you as it was quite unique.

House of Terror Museum in Budapest.

House of Terror Museum in Budapest.

House of Terror Museum in Budapest.

From the museum, I took the metro to a nearby stop and then walked to the Hungarian State Opera House. I arrived just in time to sign up for the 16:00 English tour, which was required in order to be able to view the auditorium. The opera was built in the 1890’s and the interior of the building is adorned with gold embellishments, detailed wood carvings, many frescoes and lots of marble. As gorgeous as the entryway is, it just cannot compare to the beauty of the auditorium, which has been lavishly decorated in reds and golds.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.  

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

View from the veranda of the Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.

Next, I took the metro once again, this time stopping near St. Istvan’s Basilica. The church has recently undergone an extensive renovation and cleaning and as a result, the exterior of the building is a beautiful, creamy white color. I had assumed the church was built in the late 18th century as it seemed to be of the baroque style, but I later read that the church was not finished until 1905.

St. Istavan's Basilica in Budapest.

St. Istavan's Basilica in Budapest.

St. Istavan's Basilica in Budapest.

St. Istavan's Basilica in Budapest.

St. Istavan's Basilica in Budapest.

St. Istavan's Basilica in Budapest.

St. Istavan's Basilica in Budapest.

St. Istavan's Basilica in Budapest.

St. Istavan's Basilica in Budapest.

St. Istavan's Basilica in Budapest.

St. Istavan's Basilica in Budapest.

Beautiful lamp near St. Istavan's Basilica in Budapest.

St. Istavan's Basilica in Budapest.

St. Istavan's Basilica in Budapest.

St. Istavan's Basilica in Budapest.

St. Istavan's Basilica in Budapest.

Afterward, I took the same metro line up to Hero’s Square, which is home to the Millennium Monument, Museum of Fine Arts, and the Palace of Art. The Millennium Monument was built in 1896 to celebrate the city’s 1000th birthday and contains sculptures of some of the most famous Hungarians. Even though it was cloudy, cold, and beginning to rain lightly, the square was filled with lots of people, both tourists and locals enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

Hero's Square in Budapest.

Hero's Square in Budapest.

Hero's Square in Budapest.

Hero's Square in Budapest.

Hero's Square in Budapest.

Hero's Square in Budapest.

From the square, I walked directly to City Park, which begins across the street from Hero's Square. Within the grounds of the park, there are many things to see or visit. I stopped in at Vajdahunyad Castle, which is a large complex featuring replicas of traditional Hungarian architecture; it contains a Transylvania castle, Benedictine chapel, and a Baroque mansion to name a few. Apparently, some people find the complex corny, but I thought it was actually laid out quite beautifully and looked extremely realistic.

Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest.

Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest.

Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest.

The church at Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest.

Beautiful flowers at Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest.

Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest.

Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest. 

Details from the church at Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest.

Details from the church at Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest.

Details from the church at Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest.

Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest.

The Church at Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest.

Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest.

From here, I walked down through the park to Szechenyi Baths, which is the location of one of Budapest’s many thermal baths. I was hoping to get some photos of the actual baths and pools as I was planning on going a few days later for a swim, but didn’t want to bring my camera with me. Unfortunately, the pool was closed when I arrived so I was only able to take photos of the exterior and a few of the entrance halls.

Szechenyi Baths in Budapest.

Szechenyi Baths in Budapest.

Szechenyi Baths in Budapest.

Szechenyi Baths in Budapest.

Entrance hall at Szechenyi Baths in Budapest.

Entrance hall at Szechenyi Baths in Budapest.

Entrance hall at Szechenyi Baths in Budapest.

Entrance hall at Szechenyi Baths in Budapest.

Szechenyi Baths in Budapest.

Szechenyi Baths in Budapest.

Szechenyi Baths in Budapest.

From Szechenyi Baths, I headed back to the bed and breakfast. I sat around for a bit, as I attempted to make a decision on a restaurant to eat for dinner. I left without deciding on a place to eat, but found one just five minutes down the street from my hotel called Restaurant A La Carte, which was a traditional Hungarian eatery. I had a potato soup and pork wrapped in bacon for the main course. The food was good, but not necessarily memorable.