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Europe_Budapest Historical Budapest
Bonnie Moss (c)September,2013

  
Budapest
 Next city on the list is Budapest in Hungary. A city rich in history.
                             All aboard!
 

  

 



You'd think by now, we'd be running out of steam.Not a chance.
Well, I slowed the ladies down a bit- the high altitude at
over 1000 feet was not too kind to my COPD. But- I managed
The Corinthia Hotel is magnificent. As soon as we walked in, 
we were in awe. We knew we were in for a treat. 








First order after our check-in was lunch. It was the birthday 
of the excellent organizer of our tour and proud 
to say my sister.
 

 

Then off to discover what the city has to offer- our first day in Budapest.
Spent the afternoon exploring the city, with teeming crowds,
outdoor cafes and shopping! 
 

 

 


Back at the hotel, a brief swim, then
ordered room service for dinner. It was
fun and relaxing just hanging out in our room.

 

 




Second day is a tour of Budapest so we start with 
 a hearty breakfast. We've have fabulous buffet breakfasts 
in all the places we stayed. Budapest was no exception.
 





History
Buda became the capital of Hungary in 1361, reaching its height 
as a cultural center under Matthias Corvinus. Pest fell to the 
Turks in 1526, Buda in 1541.








When Charles V of Lorraine conquered them 
for the Hapsburgs in 1686, both Buda and 
Pest were in ruins.They were resettled,Buda 
with Germans, Pest with Serbs and Hungarians. 
Buda, a free royal town after 1703, had a 
renaissance under Maria Theresa, who 
built a royal palace.

Fishermen's   Bastion





On the top of the old fortress walls, the Fishermen’s bastion 
was only constructed between 1895-1902. It is named after
 the fishermen’s guild because according to customs in the 
middle ages this guild was in charge of defending this part 
of the castle wall. As a matter of fact it has never had a 
defending function. The architect was Frigyes Schulek, 
planned the building in neo-gothic style.

The seven towers symbolise the seven chieftains, who conquerred 
the land for the Hungarians. The Fishermen’s bastion greatly 
contributes to the cityscape and offers a breathtaking panorama 
on the Pest side. In front of the Fishermen's bastion, the equestrian 
statue depicts our first king, St Stephen. The Matthias Church and 
the Fishermens bastion are the most beloved sights of the
Buda Castle District.
Buda became largely a residential sector.After the union of 
Buda and Pest in 1873, the united city grew rapidly as one 
of the two capitals of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. The 
city was by 1917 Hungary's leading commercial center and
was already ringed by industrial suburbs. 

Also a beautiful city, Budapest became famed for its literary, 
theatrical, and musical life and attracted tourists with its 
mineral springs, its historic buildings, and its parks. 

Hot Springs of Budapest






With its over 400 hot springs Hungary 
is a world leader in medicinal spa vacationing. 
Budapest is often called the "Spa Capital" 
because it is the only capital city in the 
world with real hot springs inside the city 
boundaries. Spa vacationing has a long 
tradition in Hungary and it is going back to 
Roman times. In the capital city of Budapest, 
however, our spas are modern offering all the 
comfort and in-house facilities other old 
European spa towns might not have.


Sight- seeing Budapest 2013

View Buda






More sights:







There is so much more to do, shopping is on top of
the list. Of course, the cafes are tempting, especially 
the Hard Rock Cafe




 








 







 




A toast to a grand tour! The tour was hectic, but this did
not stop the group from enjoying every moment- magnificent
architecture, sights, history, culture and the cuisine. We
bring back cherished memories that will be in our minds
for sometime.



























Reference: 
Images of Spa and Turkish Baths courtesy of Bing Images


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