{"id":13943,"date":"2019-02-25T05:36:54","date_gmt":"2019-02-25T03:36:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fromplacetoplace.travel\/?p=13943"},"modified":"2020-05-13T10:15:06","modified_gmt":"2020-05-13T08:15:06","slug":"buda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fromplacetoplace.travel\/hungary\/budapest\/buda\/","title":{"rendered":"Out and about in Buda"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The city of Budapest is split in two by the river Danube. Before both parts of the city merged, two separate cities developed on either side of the river, Buda on one side, Pest on the other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The merging of the two cities (and the town \u00d3buda) was decided by the revolutionary Hungarian government in 1849. When the Habsburgs got back into power, they reversed the decision. A new decision to join the cities from 1873 stuck and Budapest was born. The district Buda is very popular with tourists today. Many points of interest not to be missed are within walking distance of each other. We went for a stroll along the river and stopped off at some of these destinations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gellert Hill and the Liberty Statue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Early morning, the sun is out! We cross the Danube and reach the base of Gellert Hill. The summit is at 235 meters, that is already quite high for us flatlanders. The hill got its name from St. Gell\u00e9rt, who threw himself to his death from the hill. During the 17th century, when German expats settled around the hill, it was also known as Blocksberg, a meeting point for witches. People believed that witches from far and wide gathered here. The sulfurous gasses that evaporate from caves on the hillside and the very steep cliffs have probably furthered these beliefs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Liberty<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

So here we are at the base of Gellert Hill, looking up. Small paths are winding up to the top. We make a lot of little stops at some magnificent viewing points. On a nice day, one can see far across the Danube and the view is really worthwhile! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    We arrive at the top and find ourselves beneath the Liberty Statue. This and two other bronze statues were erected in 1947 to honour the soldiers who liberated the country at the end of World War II. The 14-meter statue rests on a 40-meter base and is visible from almost everywhere in Budapest. The statue depicts a woman who raises a palm leaf towards the sky. Two other statues stand on either side of the statue; one of a dragon slayer who fist fights a dragon and one of a person bringing the liberty flame. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      We walk around the Liberty Statue of Buda and arrive at the walls of the Citadelle. We were not able to go inside. If that was due to construction work or if the Citadelle is generally not accessible for visitors was not apparent at that point. So we descent from the hill via a different path and come across the monument of holy martyr bishop Gell\u00e9rt. It commemorates the rebellion of pagan Hungarians in the 11th century. Emperor Wilhelm II donated the funds for erecting the memorial in 1896 and it was finished in 1904. A little waterfall streams out from right beneath the memorial and runs down Gellert Hill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Back at the base of Gellert Hill once more we continue to Castle Hill. Tip:<\/strong> If you have some time at hand in the evening hours do go down to the Danube. The lights on the Buda side of the river are great. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        Castle Hill \u2013 A visit to Buda Castle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        As we arrive at the base of Castle Hill we pass two mighty lions and enter the bazaar on the premises of Buda Castle. The whole complex is under monument protection and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Danube Banks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Castle<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        During the 19th century, many representative buildings were constructed in Pest and the people of Buda didn\u2019t fancy falling behind. It was decided to erect a representative building with a garden at the bottom of V\u00e1rhegy (Castle Hill). Between 1875 and 1883 a classy complex in the style of the neo-Renaissance was constructed. Unfortunately, it sustained heavy damage during WWII. The state of the building deteriorated further over the years and in 1984 it had to be fully closed off. It took a long time for refurbishment work to start in 2013. A lucky time for archaeologists who found many artefacts from the 750-year long history of Buda. Visitors can now see those in an exhibition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Castle<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        There is an escalator and a lift up to the Castle from the Castle Garden Bazaar. This royal residence is truly an imposing building. Some parts of it were built in the 13th century and every ruler that followed added their ideas to it. The majority of the castle was unfortunately destroyed after the Second World War. Elaborate reconstruction works helped to restore the building\u2019s old beauty. The castle is some 400 meters long and 200 meters wide and is described as the largest castle in Hungary. Today, there are multiple museums around. We saved a visit to those for another day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Buda<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        We enjoyed the view of the Danube from the castle walls and went for a walk on the courtyard. Stairs lead to another courtyard. The Funicular to the Danube banks departs from here. As we inspect the old departure hall and wait for the arrival of a train I spot that something interesting was going on. Military was gathering, instruments were warmed up, people stood around a red carpet\u2026 right behind the upper terminus of the Funicular is a building of the federal government and it seemed that they awaited a guest of the state. Our train ride had to wait\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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