Tag: Solo Travel

  • Easter Festival at Buda Castle

    Easter Festival at Buda Castle

    I walked along Danube promenade towards Buda Castle while still mesmerised by the great views from Gellert Hill. It’s a nice walk along the wide path which caters for both people and cyclists, accompanied by the cold breeze and a city view of Pest. It didn’t take me long to arrive at Clark Adam square where the beautiful Széchenyi Chain Bridge is linked to Buda side, and I can’t wait to see it lights up during sundown!

    By the way, this happens to be my 100th blog post!! The feeling is great especially this was the trip which inspired me to start a travel blog…aiming for 200th next!!

    Danube promenade towards Castle

    Walking towards Castle

    Walking towards Castle

    Chain Bridge at Clark Adam square

    Besides the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, another landmark here is the Budapest Castle Hill Funicular (Budavári Sikló). It’s a nice experience to take the funicular up to Buda Castle which is also one good option not to climb the hill on foot. Sadly though, the funicular ride is not covered by Budapest Card.

    Queue for Budapest Castle Hill Funicular

    Iconic Budapest Castle Hill Funicular

    Budapest Castle Hill Funicular ride

    Exited from Funicular station on Castle Hill and can see the official residence of the President of Hungary immediately to my right and Buda Castle to my left.

    Budapest Castle Hill Funicular station

    Sándor Palace in Budapest

    View of Pest from Buda Castle

    Easter fun at Buda Castle

    The castle-palace was destroyed and rebuilt many times by different victors, which explains the mix of architectural styles, nice blending of Gothic and Renaissance. Once the residence of Hungarian Kings, the impressive castle now houses the Budapest History Museum and the Hungarian National Gallery.

    Bought the entry ticket and proceed down Habsburg steps to castle’s yard where the city’s largest Easter festival was held. Though it started to drizzle, the rain didn’t dampen the Easter mood at all.

    There’re makeshift stalls which were selling food, clothes, handicrafts, accessories among many other kinds of stuff.

    Easter fun at Castle

    Easter stalls at Castle

    Easter stall at Castle

    My lunch was a nice spicy kebab from this stall.

    Spicy Kebab stall at Castle

    Spicy Kebab at Castle

    Then I came across this food stall selling this bread-looking stuff which had attracted a queue. Looks to be a must-try here, I ordered one loaf too and that filled up my tummy to the max!! A Google check later revealed what I had ain’t bread but traditional Hungarian pastry known as Chimney cake (Kürtőskalács).

    Hungarian Chimney cake stall at Castle

    Hungarian Chimney cake

    Hungarian Chimney cake stall owner

    Another interesting thing was this merry-go-round with baskets. Too bad it’s raining else I should be seeing more kids sitting in the baskets.

    Wooden merry-go-round at Castle

    I see more children gathering around the Tree of Life decorated with Easter eggs as per Hungarian traditions.

    Easter Tree of Life at Buda Castle

    There are also some musical performances held to entertain the crowd. Obviously, Hungarian songs are alien to me but I do enjoy the soothing melody.

    Musical performances at Castle

    Musical performances at Castle

    Famous sculptures around Buda Castle

    The Castle is decorated with nice sculptures such as Fountain of the Fishing Children, Statue of Prince Eugene of Savoy, Statue of the Horseherd and the famous Matthias Fountain.

    Fountain of the Fishing Children
    Fountain of the Fishing Children
    Statue of Prince Eugene of Savoy at Castle
    Statue of Prince Eugene of Savoy
    Statue of the Horseherd at Castle
    Statue of the Horseherd
    Matthias Fountain at Buda Castle
    Matthias Fountain

    Budapest History Museum

    There are two Museums and a library within the castle compound – yeah, library, cool right? This non-lending library will require visitors to register for a Reader Pass or buy a Day Pass, which is payable either way, so I choose to skip. Passed the beautifully decorated Lions’ Gate brought me to the Lions’ Courtyard which is the central courtyard of Buda Castle.

     Lions' Gate
    Lions’ Gate

    Lions Courtyard of Buda Castle

    Lions Courtyard Buda Castle

    Between Hungarian National Gallery (Magyar Nemzeti Galeria) and Budapest History Museum (Budapesti Történeti Múzeum), I opted for the later. The museum showcases the history of Budapest from prehistory to modern times.

    Inside Budapest History Museum

    Inside Budapest History Museum

    Inside Budapest History Museum

    Inside Budapest History Museum3

    I soon found myself walking outside the museum walking around its Medieval Remnants. Perhaps I could have stayed a little longer but there’s still so much to see around Castle Hill especially the beautiful Fisherman’s Bastion!

    Medieval Remnants at Buda Castle

    Medieval Remnants of Buda Castle

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  • Exploring Gellert Hill of Buda

    Exploring Gellert Hill of Buda

    Upon crossing over the iconic greenish Liberty Bridge, I was greeted by Gellert Hotel on the left and Gellert Hill on the right. Now, standing at Buda means I have officially made it to Buda-Pest! Cheap thrill…LOL!! The nice-looking Gellert Hotel is famed for its thermal bath but that ain’t my kind of thing so I skipped and went straight for the hill.

    There are two places to walk up the hill – either from Gellert Hotel or at the end of Elisabeth Bridge. The bus is another option but I believe the best way to experience this area is by walking.

    Gellért Hotel in Budapest

    Gellért Hill, named after the Italian Bishop who was killed during a rebellion, looms over Danube River on Buda side.

    Gellért Hill of Buda

    Huge cross above Gellert Hill

    Nice church at Gellért Hill

    Cave Church of Gellert Hill

    Adjacent to the hotel is an upslope leading to the Cave Church (Sziklakapolna). This is not one with the usual stained glass windows or high ceilings. Instead, it’s a unique cave setting formed by thermal springs. And the tiny church was used by Hungarian Pauline Order since 1926. But the first service was actually held in front of the cave, where the name ‘Church by the Rock’ came about.

    The church was shut down during the Communist era and its main entrance sealed off with a concrete wall. The monks were arrested and Father Ferenc Vezér was sentenced to death…

    It only reopens some 40 years later after the collapse of Iron Curtain.

    Budapest Cave Church

    There’s a nice statue of St. Stephen, the first Christian king of Hungary standing aside his horse holding a church.

    St. Stephen Statue outside Cave

    Walking around the hollowed cave was quite an amazing experience, the natural cooling temperature inside makes it very comfortable too. It doesn’t take too long to explore this church but it’s definitely worth to check it out!

    Cave worship area

    Inside Cave

    Inside Cave

    Inside Cave

    Inside Cave

    The huge cross perched right above the Cave Church.

    The cross above Cave Church.

    The Citadel

    Moving uphill brought me to the Citadel (Citadella) and seeing the prominent Liberty Statue (Szabadság Szobor). The Hungarian Liberty Statue, or Freedom Statue, is a female figure standing atop on this tall pedestal holding a palm leaf above her head that symbolizes victory. The statue was built in remembrance of Soviet liberation of Hungary during World War II, which ended the occupation by Nazi forces but the beginning of Commies’ era…

    The prominent symbol of Budapest and can be seen across the city. There are two smaller statues flanking the Liberty statue, one of them shown defeating of a dragon (fascism) and the other holding the torch of progress.

    Liberty Statue of Budapest

    Defeating the dragon statue

    The Citadel was built by the Austrians to exercise control over Budapest as its strategic location provided a clear view of both Buda and Pest.

    Weapons

    Breathtaking view from here makes this a must-see in Budapest!! Panoramic views of Danube River and the whole city make the climb super worthwhile. Simply stunning!

    Budapest view from Citadel

    Entered the Citadel after paying the entrance fee but seriously, there ain’t nothing much in it except one of the bunkers which were used by the German army.

    Citadella Entrance

    Around Citadella

    Bunker at Citadella

    Inside Bunker

    Inside Bunker

    Inside Bunker

    Inside Bunker

    Inside Bunker

    I spent a little more time to take in the view of Budapest before making my way down the hill. In which, I stopped by the Statue of St. Gellert.

    Pathway down Gellert Hill

    Around Statue of St. Gellert

    Statue of St. Gellert

    Statue of St. Gellert Budapest

    Right at the foot of the hill is Döbrentei tér where there’s a statue of the well-loved Empress Elisabeth.

    Empress Elizabeth

    If you’re planning to visit Budapest, make sure to include Gellert Hill in your itinerary!!

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