Traveling around Budapest
Hi,
It is a warm summer day and we are waiting at the train station with full suitcases. We are waiting for the train that will take us from Košice to our vacation. This time, however, we are not going to refresh ourselves by the sea. We are going on a sightseeing vacation to the capital of Hungary, Budapest. We will be in the city for a whole week and during that time we want to see as many sights and attractions of the city as possible, in addition to visiting the Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix.
We get on the train and a few hours later we get off at the railway station in the city of Budapest - Keleti pályaudvar. Immediately after the performance, I was enchanted by the building of the railway station, which literally breathed history. I immediately imagined what an amazing picture it must have been when steam trains left it in the past. It was built between 1881 and 1884.
It is the largest railway station in the city and is located in its eastern part.
We pass through the underpass and slowly pass one aisle after another with our suitcases. We have secured accommodation in the former Jewish quarter. It is located about 20 minutes on foot from the railway station. We could also take the subway, but we've been sitting so far, so we'd rather walk a bit.
The first settlers in this area were the Celts. Around the year 89, the Romans founded the Aquaincum settlement north of today's center and the Contra Aquincum fortification on the opposite bank. Aquincum later became the capital of the province of Pannonia Inferior, which shows the importance and good location of the city. Pannonia was replaced by many peoples. Huns, Ostrogoths, Longobards, Avars, Slavs. In the 9th century it was part of the Principality of Nitra and later of Great Moravia. Finally, the Old Hungarians settled here at the end of the 10th century.
After some time, we arrive at the entrance, where we have to stay for one week. It is an older historical building, but it has locked doors from the front and back. We ring the doorbell, but no one answers. We start to feel a little panic. It ends when one resident of the apartment building leaves the entrance and we get to the bunkhouse. Here we can clearly see the sign informing us that our accommodation is on the third floor. We go upstairs and the master is already waiting for us there. He gives us the keys and we can settle in happily. We quickly unpack our things and since we have a lot of time until the evening, we go to see the Basilica of St. Štefana, which is located nearby.
It is an impressive temple that is 96 meters high.
We made the effort and went to see the surroundings from the viewpoint on the roof.
The basilica was built in 1851-1905. Its height commemorates the arrival of Hungarian tribes in Subdanubia in 896.
The temple houses the mummified hand of the first Hungarian king - St. Stefan.
We also saw a replica of the Hungarian coronation crown here.
Our next stop is also a temple located nearby. It is the second largest synagogue in the world. That is, outside of those located in Israel. The fact that it is located near our accommodation is logical as we live in the former Jewish quarter.
The Great Synagogue (Dohány utcai Zsinagóga) is built in the Moorish style and attracts attention from afar.
We go inside and I have to say it is really big. Synagogues are not as lavishly decorated as Christian churches, but that does not detract from their beauty at all. It is something different and extraordinary for a tourist and a traveler from Europe, who is mainly used to churches.
Of course, you can't miss photos from this place as a souvenir.
Today we traveled, saw the Great Synagogue and the Basilica of St. Štefana and we decided to take a walk along the Danube in the evening. The Danube Embankment, a good dinner, the lights beautifully illuminate the city, which is slowly getting ready for sleep. It's quite a nice romantic walk in the big city.
We too are slowly walking to the accommodation and are looking forward to the next day and new experiences.
Well thank you.