Budapest: my birthday gift. Trip in Hungary

The choice to go to Budapest for some aspects was random. I saw some pictures in a magazine and I immediately proposed to Roberta to go. The choice of timing for this visit was a bit more difficult because we had to match work requirements and not. In the end we thought to give us Budapest as a birthday present. A gift with a few days in advance as for me and a few days of delay in Roberta.
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. The hills of Buda and Obuda zone stretches along the left bank of the Danube, while the plain of Pest occupies the right side of river. Budapest was founded in 1873, as is easily derived from the name, was created as the merger of three separate cities: Buda and Pest Obuda.
From a historical point of view, without going too in the past, one must admit that the same Budapest and Hungary have paid a heavy price for being the first allied with Austria and then by Nazi Germany. In fact, after defeats in both wars, the country lost much of its territory and following the agreements of Yalta was found to join the Euro zone of Soviet influence. Only in 1989, the demise of Communism, the country could regain its sovereignty. Since 2004, Hungary joined the European Union.
Budapest is also one of the largest spa towns of Europe. There are indeed many natural sources of hot water with different therapeutic properties. Were the Turks, first to make the most of these sources, although they were already known in Roman times. Today you can choose from a wide range of swimming pools and facilities. Also choose us ... ..
Budapest is sometimes described as the Paris of Central Europe. Well ... we have only been 4 days but enough to make us fall in love with this beautiful city. A little 'less of Hungarians: Do not we found them very friendly.

Finally, Roberta is an ideal travel companion, we have the same ideas, we're pretty consistent on the things to see and then she likes to walk as far as we can ... we love to visit the city on foot by limiting the use of public transport only where necessary.

 

Let's start a Friday morning from Turin with a bus that takes us directly to Malpensa (23 €
A / R). And so almost immediately I remember why I do not like but I prefer from Malpensa fields ... We will never arrive! The bus travels fast on the highway but in the meantime, between Turin and get out of Malpensa doing the tour of the Novara rose more than two hours.
Calmly at the airport check-in and make on time, Alitalia board our flight.
Arrived in Budapest the sun has already set. Have just passed the 17 but it is already night. We'll collect our luggage, some money and go to the ATM to buy tickets for the bus and the subway that will take us downtown.
Let's get started well, we ask four bus tickets, the lady gives us bored with doing what is required and informs us of the price to pay. I offer the money and she returns the rest .. wrong. We point out the error and make candid admits that he forgot to give us everything else. Ha ha ha ... we had read in a forum on the Internet to check more often than the rest because they are wrong ... we see that the elementary arithmetic does not teach it very well! Ah ah ah
We take so our bus (bus 200 - 230HUF) and arrive at the terminal, a station in the suburbs that has seen better days, take the metro (M3 - blue line - 230HUF).
We chose to stay quite in the center of Budapest we chose the Marco Polo hostel. The property is clean, well maintained and there seems also fairly quiet. We booked a double room with private bathroom. Are received at the reception for a girl who does this job for the salary and not seeing the enthusiasm and passion for the kindness that pulls in everything he does and says. Check out the room strictly in cash, no credit cards accepted (6,500 HUF per person per night including breakfast - Marco Polo Hostel - 1072 Budapest, Nyar utca 6 - www.marcopolohostel.com). We gave the keys of the room, shows us the times for breakfast and asks us 5 euro deposit for the key. We ask if you need anything else, or is everything and she says yes, handing me the bill for the board send to preserve.
Quality and courtesy is certainly not the motto of this place ... as we shall discover in the days ahead, one can say anything but the front desk staff shine as a courtesy and sympathy.

Stowed our stuff we go out for dinner. We pass to the Great Synagogue in the coming days we visit and we go to dinner at a rent not far away. After dinner we allow ourselves close to the city, we reach the Chain Bridge. The citadel and castle are illuminated by the master. There's plenty of people around and an occasional drop of rain makes its appearance. So Back in the room, our first night on the town you go to an end.

The breakfast room is a little 'disappointed. Is none other than the pub below the hostel. The table with a buffet breakfast is already set, but all around, for the room, you are doing the cleaning. We seek a corner, where in addition to not even bothering to sit down we saw that many chairs are stacked until the floor is washed.
We begin our visit by Obuda, then we Muzeum krz. passing the Magyar Nemzeti Galeria and the Calvinist church and then to come to Central Market Covered: is the largest indoor market in the city. Before us the Liberty Bridge. The bridge was built between 1894 and 1899.
Across the bridge lies the Hotel Gellert spa complex with the same name. This complex, built at the foot of Gellért Hill, which is also called, dates back to early last century (1912-1918) and is one of the oldest spa complexes in the city.
Left the Hotel Gellert we head towards the Church of the Grotto. Lies on the south side of Gellért Hill. It was built in 1926 on the model of the sanctuary of Lourders Pauline order of monks. After a bit 'of trouble in August 1989 the church and the monastery was reopened.
At the entrance of the church is a statue of St. Stephen. It 'a small, crop, detail. Very nice.
Leaving the small church of the cave we follow different paths that we are on this side of Gellért Hill, and we arrive on top of that (140 m).
In pointing to the Gellért Hill is the monument of Liberation. From a scenic point of view: it overlooks the entire city. The view is very nice, pity about the sun a little 'sickly and the gray sky. This monument was erected to commemorate the liberation of Budapest in 1945 by the Russian army. From a historical point of view, the arrival of the Russians in Budapest, of course, mean freedom but also the beginning of Soviet rule.
We continue our road to the citadel, we descend from Mount Gellért passing near the Statue of Saint Gellért. This monument is illuminated at night and is particularly impressive, but for now you want the bare branches of trees, for the slight degradation of this area of the mountain but we did not make a big impression. It is said that at this precise point, where the monument was erected, was assassinated Bishop Gellért eleventh century. It is said that he was thrown, encased in a barrel, the Danube, by a group of citizens who did not like the adoption of Christianity as state religion.
Elizabeth Bridge, which do not cross because we go to the Royal Palace, was built originally in 1897-1903. In 1945 it was destroyed, like much of the city and then be rebuilt in the form that we can now admire. The Royal Palace is rich in history, in more recent times, so to speak, the Habsburgs built their residence here.
Passing through Lions' Gate, guarded by 4 statues of lion dating from 1901, we arrive in the back yard of the royal palace where stands the fountain Matyas, designed in 1904 and representing the king Matthias Corvinus. King Matyas, was an important Renaissance Re, which her figure is full of anecdotes and legends. The monument, a fountain, representing a hunting scene in which it is said that the king met a very beautiful, and figured if it was ugly, a young peasant woman who fell in love with him. How it ends the love story is not known. We know however that if you throw a coin into the fountain will be sure to return to Budapest again.
We move then into the main courtyard, which offers an excellent view over the city, entering to visit the Hungarian National Gallery, admission is free, was inaugurated in 1957 and houses a rich collection of Hungarian art from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century .
Around the door built in 1903 to enter the Royal Palace through the Worlds of Habsburg there are so many people seem to be in an anthill. For the lazy ones there is a cable that leads from the foot of the Chain Bridge so far.
And finally here is the old city of Buda Castle or even the area is very pleasant to walk these streets.
Before us the Matyas Church and a short walk to the Fishermen's Bastion.
The Church of Matyas (entrance 650 HUF) was built between the XVIII and XV century. Some parts date back even to the reign of Sigismund of Luxembourg (which name it!). The church takes the name of King Matyas, however that was the one who enlarged and enriched. During the Turkish occupation was transformed into a mosque. Was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. Very beautiful are its stained glass windows and his pulpit.
After visiting the church we go to the Fishermen's Bastion. From this monument you can enjoy a beautiful view over the city and the Danube. This particular building dates back to 1895 and came into the square where, in medieval times, they sold the fish. In fact escaped me a bit 'sense of the name!
We walk the path of Fortune, past the tower of the Church of Mary Magdalene, or what remains of the church that was razed during the Second World War. Left behind the remains of the church we walk the way of Lords. There are some very beautiful homes, the aristocrats lived in this street and the merchants. Roberto and I are, however, interested in the ancient Labyrinth of the castle. If in the prehistoric caves had meant place of refuge and hunting ground, in more recent times were the cellars of the castle first, then connect with a system of underground corridors have a shelter for ten thousand soldiers. The entrance fee is 1500 HUF, provide a map and an explanatory booklet. Are poorly lit and the background music creates an environment not indifferent. Charming, very charming as visit.
Finally the maze of courage .. What .. well .. a heavy iron door allows you to enter this labyrinth .. completely immersed in darkness. Before joining a panel explaining the legend and the magic of this part of the labyrinth and what, if you have the courage to face it, you'll see. Knows that there will be more than the darkness beyond the door .... Who knows ...
Descend toward the Danube, passing the requested Calvinist. guide defines unusual .. We agree.
Walking along the Danube until we come to the Church of St. Anne. This is a baroque church. Initially it was a Jesuit church. Was begun in 1740 and finished by Matyas, but the earthquake of 1763 and the subsequent dissolution of the Jesuit order prevented their completion and desecrated the church remained until 1805.
We continue walking along the Danube, in front of us the parliament, as far as the island of Margarita, who do not visit unless we scrap of time. Margaret Island is in the middle of the Danube was a place of religious retreat and contemplation, was open to the public in 1869 and is one of the most beautiful parks in the city where people walking in nature away from traffic. On the island, is a complex of thermal baths whose sources come directly from the island.
Stroll along the Danube reach Rudas baths. This is a very old complex, the central basin of these baths is surmounted by a dome Ottoman. Jonathan Comcludiamo the Vaci street for strolling.

Breakfast, old story of the day before, with the difference that there are still customers of the evening and in these pubs you can smoke ... inconvenience.
Our plan is to start the day with a visit to the area of Városligeti. This is the city park, was once a swampy area used for hunting real.
Through a series of beautiful streets full of shops and local (Krt. Erzsèbert) to the famous Andrassy Avenue. The path itself is very nice and veeery long. As we move towards Heroes' Square the way it loses its aspect of trade route to becoming a residential street, some embassies reside along this road, it's all a succession of splendid palaces.
Heroes' Square, where tourists came in by bus, is teeming with people. It was in this square in 1896 were opened celebrations for the millennium. Fact the square is the Monument to the Millennium. Its colonnade of statues depicting famous men in Hungary. They face enormous square, the Museum of Fine Arts and Art Gallery.
Part of the lake is dry and in its place a beautiful ice rink, while the remainder several duck swim peacefully in the hot thermal waters.
We enter the park and we go to see the Castle Vajdahunyad. There is no one, except for a black cat walks. Despite the name is not a castle but a collection of buildings of different styles designed to celebrate the Millennium of 1896. Among other things, is part of the packed chapel of Jak that faithfully reproduces the portal of a Benedictine chapel of 1914 which is located near the border with Austria in the homonymous area Jak. The door is closed so we can not enter, as well as on the nearby cloister.
After that we go to browse the Szechenyi baths, according to the guide are the most thoughtful and warm in Budapest, and its waters are distinguished for their therapeutic properties. Main entrance is a statue of him to whom we owe the bathrooms, some Vilmos Zsigmond that he found the hot water while digging a well in 1879. If he wanted a little 'fresh water is proper too bad!
Meanwhile back on a path to the center ... we arrive in the area of Parliament.
We walk away Podmaniczky, which certainly can not say a tourist route. Runs along the railway and there is also a hospital .. our view, the structure, obviously from the outside is anything but positive.
We pass the Nyugati railway station. Its facade is very interesting case has been designed by Eiffel, he certainly, that of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Slowly we are heading towards the Parliament. It 'Sunday, but this area is practically deserted. Parliament is all cordoned off. We understand where the entrance because it is the only point where they are still a handful of people, but there is nothing that suggests that it is an input. Before our arrival, we contacted the local information office for the terms of the visit. We were given the times, including visiting hours in Italian and the cost, free for EU residents. Too bad that this information is incorrect. To visit the Parliament, explains one of the guards at the entrance, you must call a number and book a visit at least two days in advance. Beautiful and as we do that we start tomorrow?
Parliament is the symbol of democracy in Hungary, although, during the communist era on the top of its dome has been given the red star. The Palace of Parliament is the largest palace of the whole country. It was built between 1884 and 1902. It consists of 691 rooms and are housed inside the crown, orb and scepter! Sure is a pity not being able to visit, the pictures are spectacular and the guide was one of our goals. Well .. has not yet said .. while leaving Kossuth Square planned to do a jump to the local information office to see if you can book a visit for the next day. In addition to Parliament, this magnificent square, overlooked by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ethnographic Museum.
There's a lot of people around and we move quickly towards the Basilica di Santo Stefano. As the name implies, is dedicated to St. Stephen who was the first Hungarian Christian king. Its construction began in 1851. For 300 HUF visit those who can say the treasures of the church. The Basilica is impressive, and the interior is a witness.
Leaving the Basilica behind us we head towards Piazza Roosevelt. Addition to the beautiful Chain Bridge, on the square facing the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Gresham Palace. The Chain Bridge was built in 1839-1849 and was the first permanent bridge in Budapest. It too was destroyed during the Second World War and reopened in 1949. The bridge stretches for 380 meters and is supported by two towers.
Along the Danube, we find the statue of the Little Princess (1989). Lovely!
Meanwhile we are looking for the information office Pest wander around downtown. Along the crowded street Vaci utca. It is pleasant to walk now but it is more suggestive in the evening even if it is richly illuminated.
We find the information office, the lady that we receive is again much more annoyed than willing to help us. Dismisses the question with a few words Parliament flog a phone number that book the visit reaffirming the two days in advance.
And after a stop in our room to equip her going .. you go to the spa!
Since the complex that we have chosen is not on their doorstep, this time we travel by subway. The Szechenyi baths have three inputs, and costs 2200 HUF for two hours (each additional hour is 300 HUF), you can access the swimming pools, sauna and whatever else gives the complex. Changing rooms are in the basement and go down to meet as many people in costume and ... discover that the pools are open. AIR .. with'm cold! And 'all day that we run which seemed the little man of the Michelin
Anyway we go in the dressing room and tried two free lockers. We take our towels and go upstairs in the pools. Wow ... What a joke .. the water temperature is about 32 degrees ... a fable ... There are also projects that make up the tub. A joke ... If we look at the gray sky and think of all the cold we quickly throughout the day seems unlikely to be in a swimming pool.
Roberta proposes to go to try the sauna ... I exalt but why not. So we took all our courage and go out of the pool, walk the few meters that separate us from the sauna. There are showers and a bathtub with water at 16 degrees, very chilly. We enter the sauna. Resistiamo poco più di 5 minuti perché il caldo è veramente soffocante. Before leaving the local saunas however Roberta convince me to make a hit and run in the tub with cold water. If nothing else, when we go out we feel less cold.
Since we have time we just pop in the third tank where water is at a temperature of 36 degrees. It 'very hot water and also has a peculiar smell. There are people who play chess. It is nice to be soaking .. There are so many people, both Hungarian tourists. We recognize some faces of tourists that we saw around the city.

We leave the hostel but not before, arguing with the receptionist. What happens is that when the keys to the room, she does not want to return the 5 euro deposit which we have delivered a few days earlier, saying that we had lost the receipt that his colleague had given us. Nothing received no money ... she says. Like hell, I say, if I gave you the 5 euro your colleague did not receive the keys so .. I have given you the money then restituiscimeli! No way! By doing too calm and too perfect, so that his attitude seems a little preparation as whole heap of excuses that it provides. Since we did not lose any receipt, as there was never delivered tried first gently and then a little 'less as I lose my patience because it is clear that there is cheating, to be clear on this situation and get back our money backward. Say that his way of mocking certainly did not help .. So we have given to understand that from them we would not go without our 5 euro. Well .. do not think you can argue in English. Not so much for the 5 euros, but more to the issue of principle behind it, the fact that it is quite clear that should rub, we're often more annoying than losing out the 5 euros.
The fact is that we were discussing when you open the elevator, comes out a couple of tourists of a certain age with the bags, leaving them too clearly. The Titian takes the ticket 5 euros from the box and do annoyed with me by saying to leave. Said than done .. fortunate that these tourists have arrived and the situation is unlocked ... There remains the question that wanted to send to scrub the new arrivals! However this fact, regrettable, and how to manage this staff is not a good advertisement for this property. What the hell! Even a fool if he realized that that would have us over the ridge!
Anyway .. this problem has cost us a good half hour, let us now not to ruin your day by this regrettable fact that I also did very well fit the nervous!
First we go for a ride to the Central Market Overcast. It is very beautiful, the most beautiful city, so they say. Its construction dates back to 1890 but in 1994 was completely rebuilt. There are benches with the paprika, the ones with the sausage, fruit ... It 'a tangle of colors and smells.
Leaving the market we go to visit the Great Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter. The first Jews arrived in Hungary in the thirteenth century and settled in Buda and Obuda. Only in the nineteenth century was also established in Pest. In 1251 they were granted certain privileges, including freedom of worship. Everything went well until 1941 when, due to Hungary's alliance with Nazi Germany Nazi antisemistiche some laws were enacted, including the obligation to wear the Star of David. A step toward one of the greatest crimes against humanity! In 1945 was built the first ghetto in Pest and began the deportation of thousands of people in concentration camps. We must wait until January 18th of 1945 to see the liberation of the ghetto as a result of the Russian. It is estimated that 600,000 Hungarian Jews were victims of the Holocaust. At the end of the nineteenth century, in this neighborhood, three synagogues were built and opened many shops.
The Great Synagogue (1400 HUF) is the largest in Europe and was built in Byzantine-Moorish style in 1854-1859. The controls are carefully entrance worthy of an international airport.
The interior of the synagogue is spectacular, has three naves and how he wants the Orthodox tradition, separate galleries for men and women. The interior and the exterior of the building is very nice, worth the visit. Besides the synagogue, you can visit a museum where artifacts are grouped Hebrew is a very evocative photographic exhibition through photographs and text that recounts the painful period of history tied to the Holocaust. Images of people, the city destroyed. These are images of a photographer not remember the name but are very powerful images that speak for themselves that everyone should see and everyone should accept it as something that should no longer happen and instead .. century has changed but the story never changes ... We continue our visit before the Memorial dell'Olocauso. This is a sculpture that represents a huge weeping willow. It opened in 1991 and is the work of Irme Varga.
Let the Jewish quarter to move toward the center. We still have some things to see: Piazza della Liberta and the Opera House, are not close but we still have some time at our disposal.
The Square of Liberty was built in 1886, destroying the barracks that were built to house the Austrian troops. On the north side of the square stands an obelisk remembers the Red Army soldiers who died in the siege of Budapest in 1944 and 1945.
The square still facing some buildings of particular interest, the Hungarian National Bank, the Old Stock Exchange dating back to 1905 both the American Embassy, in which he found refuge Cardinal Mindszenty, an important figure of the liberation movement in Hungary which was formed after the Second World War. Lived, locked up in this building for 15 years until the Vatican in 1971 convinced him to return to Hungary or better put your feet out of this building.
Leaving this place we move towards the Opera House, opened in 1884 and was built to rival those of Paris, Vienna and Dresden. The time available to us which we must give up the string to visit the interior.
Thus, even if grudgingly take the road home. Let us take the subway and then the bus and we were at the boarding gate waiting for our flight.
Obviously could not be a simple return. The flight leaves late to technical problems and you seemed. In Milan we arrive with little more than half an hour compared to the departure of the last bus to Turin. Obviously the delivery of baggage is always something eternal. Malpensa also why I do not like ... The fact is that we can take the bus just in time. For dinner there are two crackers taken by plane .. and think that if the plane had been on time we had time to dine at the airport with calm.
We have almost reached the highway that a call from two transient who had lost their coach, had lingered at the airport, we cause further delay. The driver agrees to wait for the walks that would reach the bus in a taxi. Roberto and I are not very happy with this choice because we have to catch a connection to Turin, in fact, the rest of the trip was a struggle with the clock. The driver still has to arrive as soon as possible, especially because Robert and I expect those two risk losing the last bus to go home. Odysseus! Finally managed to catch the bus that takes us home. The journey is enlivened by a guy, a few rows behind us who Tampin phone a colleague. Well .. gladdens the phone call all the bus, and between different giggling arrive at your destination.
Thus, a delay between the other we have passed the midnight of this day ... when I finally climb into the car, my husband greets me with a nice 'Happy Birthday'!
And thanks to the beautiful Budapest for having given us these fantastic days, the staff of the hostel!