WanderLex

Tag: Solo Travel

  • Heroes Square and Vajdahunyad Castle

    Heroes Square and Vajdahunyad Castle

    Heroes Square (Hősök tere) and the City Park (Városliget) were the last places I visited before my sleeper train to Belgrade. Therefore, I am glad I did not skip these else I would have missed out such an impressive square. The Corinthian column is also known as Millennium Monument to mark the thousandth anniversary of Hungary. In comparison to Singapore’s SG50 celebration… Man, hope there will be SG1000 for us too.

    Millennium column Budapest

    Standing atop of the imposing Corinthian column is a statue of Archangel Gabriel holding St. Stephen’s Crown and a two-barred apostolic cross. In additional, encircling below are the statues of seven Magyar tribes’ leaders. And flanking both sides of the column are colonnades with statues of notable people in Hungarian history.

    Colonnades of Millennium Monument

    Yet what attracted me the most is the brilliantly designed geometric patterns on the ground. That’s because the patterns give a different perspective depending on how you frame the shot.

    Heroes Square of Budapest

    Heroes Square geometric patterns

    Also, the other two main sites of the square include the Hall of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts.

    Hall of Art in Budapest

    Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest

    Beautiful sunset at Heroes Square

    Maybe as a reward due to my insistence to come here. I witnessed the most beautiful sunset during my time in Budapest at Heroes Square. It’s so gorgeous and the most noteworthy moment!! I probably would have stayed on if not for wanting to visit Vajdahunyad Castle while it is still open.

    Sunset at Millennium Monument

    Sunset at Heroes' Square

    Gorgeous sunset at Millennium Monument

    Gorgeous sunset at Heroes' Square

    Vajdahunyad Castle

    The artificial lake around Vajdahunyad Castle is used for boating during summer and ice skating during winter.

    Varosligeti Mujegpalya

    Vajdahunyad Castle was built because of Hungary’s millennium exhibition. And it’s located right in the heart of City Park. Yet, the initial castle structure was made up of just wooden planks and cardboard! The Dracula’s Transylvania inspired castle was only reconstructed with permanent materials later as a result of its popularity. It has since become a favourite for the locals.

    Path to Castle

    Entering Vajdahunyad Castle

    I am very confused with the various architectural styles found inside the castle. It seems like a big melting pot with the combination of Gothic, Renaissance, Romanesque and Baroque all coming as one. Maybe it’s me but the unusual architectural fusion probably didn’t work for me…

    Gothic Vajdahunyad Castle

    Romanesque Church

    Baroque museum

    And in the courtyard of Vajdahunyad Castle sits the statue of Anonymous.

    Statue of Anonymous in Vajdahunyad Castle

    It’s probably me but the empty castle is a little spooky after sunset, especially so when I was the only one there. Hence, I quickly moved to check out the neo-Baroque style Széchenyi Baths within the City Park.

    Around City Park Budapest

    Széchenyi Baths

    Széchenyi Baths building

    I couldn’t stay long though as I need to pick up my bag at for Bo18 Hotel Superior and head to Budapest Keleti railway station. How I wish I have another 3 days in Budapest…oh well…

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    What are your thoughts about Heroes Square or Vajdahunyad Castle? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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  • Chug along on Children’s Railways in Budapest

    Chug along on Children’s Railways in Budapest

    The Children’s Railways (Gyermekvasút) which operates at Buda Hill is run mainly by children aged 10-14 under the supervision of adult railway workers. Besides engine being driven by adults, children handle jobs like tickets sales, traffic management, and various other railway operations. Sounds interesting enough for me and so I made my way from Kossuth Lajos tér station to the first stop of Children’s Railways at Széchenyihegy to experience this unique attraction.

    Children Railway in Budapest

    The world’s longest railway of its kind has been running since 1940’s and was initiated by the Soviet for children to learn about railway operations as an extracurricular activity. The communists wanted children to have a taste for responsibility. And perhaps also meant to be an avenue for propaganda as well. But I think it’s laudable for the Hungarians to keep the heritage railways running after the fall of Iron Curtain.

    So I bought the tickets from the ticket counter and all ready to hop on.

    Children Railway ticket counter

    Children Railway ticket

    Route of Children Railways

    I sat back and relax while the train slowly made its way through the forestry parts of Buda Hills till the last stop at Hűvösvölgy. I have planned to alight at János-hegy to take the chairlift (Libegő) and descend down to Zugliget.

    But decided otherwise as the wind speed that afternoon was crazy like this;

    The ride offers some great city views at a distance from the top. But most of the times, it’s just trees and more trees…

    So I spent more time watching how the children went through their duties. The young operators are neatly dressed in uniforms and are serious about what they do. Not all of them can converse in English but many of them were willing to pose for the camera. One of them told me he enjoys meeting foreigners like me. That’s because he can then practice his English and it’s more fun here compared to school LOL!

    Children at Children's Railways

    Working at Children's Railways

    Ticket conductor at Children Railways
    Ticket please?

    At Children's Railways

    The handsome one at Children Railways
    I was supposed to email his photo to this kid but I have somehow misplaced the email address…I’m sorry! If by any chance you’re seeing this, please give me a shout, thanks!

    And finally, the train reached Hűvösvölgy of Children’s Railways around 45 minutes later but I didn’t explore too far away in case I miss the last train back.

    Children Railways at Hűvösvölgy

    Hűvösvölgy station

    Around Hűvösvölgy

    [alert]

    What are your thoughts about Children’s Railways in Budapest? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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