Budapest, Hungary

The Budapest Parliament

Sunday

Our first full day in Hungary, and first cruise! Yesterday we boarded the Viking Gullveig, enjoyed a bit of a rest, an amazing dinner, a wonderful night’s sleep, and, after learning our way around breakfast in the dining room, we were off to visit Hungary’s capital city, and the ship left without us!!! Actually, it turns out that it takes almost 24 hours to sail upriver to our next stop, Vienna, so we are enjoying a morning in Budapest before heading out to catch up with the ship.

Budapest and Hungary in general have had a difficult history. The original city of Obuda, was founded on an ancient Celtic settlement. The Romans, who inhabited the area until the ninth century, called it 'Aquincum' from the many thermal springs in the area. In 896 the Magyars, the original Hungarians, took it back from the Romans. By that time there were cities on both sides of the mighty Danube River. (Interestingly enough, the website where I found the most information, Budapest.net, is riddled with contradictions. Although there is probably a 'Short History of Budapest' out there, I am not taking the time to locate and read it. It is my holiday, after all!)

Hungary was established in sometime between 1000 and 1222 CE. The fledgling country lived until 1241 when the Mongols invaded and razed both cities. The towns were rebuilt, and Buda was founded across from Obuda. At some point, Obuda was renamed Pest (pronounced 'pesht'), which was then conquered by the Ottoman Empire. That lasted until 1686 when the Habsburgs invaded. I am really not making this up!

The native Hungarian people decided that they had had enough, and in 1848 rebelled against the Austrian Habsburgs. After all, the Habsburgs had not even figured out that intermarriage was a bad idea. Just look at the myriad Habsburg Kings across Europe with their disfigured faces. They had figured out how to rule, though, as they had control of various parts of Europe from the early eleventh century until 1918. Back to the Hungarians: they were routed, and Hungary was still ruled by the Austrians.

Charles II of Spain (Looks aren't everything...)

In 1867 the Austro-Hungarian Empire was established, and in 1873 Buda and Pest became one city. At the end of World War I the Austro-Hungarian Empire renounced their claim on the area, and Hungary became an independent state!!! Then along came yet another Austrian, Hitler. Although Hitler was technically an Austrian, he ruled Germany, who occupied Hungary in 1944. When the Soviets occupied Hungary, everything seemed better, until they forgot to leave! So, are you following this?

The Hungarians revolted against the Soviets in 1956, but yet another revolt was put down. Finally, in 1989 The Soviet Union collapsed and Hungary won its own independence.

Back to the tour...

We took a coach (a tour bus rather than a city bus) through Pest. Here are some highlights, but please forgive the occasional reflections off the windows.

The opera house

The Synagogue

I guess the United States has invaded as well

Hósök tere (Heroes Square) celebrating heroes from many time periods

One of the museums located at the Heroes Square

And then we crossed the river to Buda. There we were dropped off in the Castle District for a short walking tour and shopping. Where we went there were only tourist shops, so our shopping will be done later. The Pest side of the river is very flat, but the Buda side is hilly. We walked up to the Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastian, passing a very inviting Konditorei on the way. The square up at the Matthias Church was chock-a-block with beautiful architecture, and from the Bastian we had a great view of the Pest side of the city. The first photo that you see above is exactly that view. The dominating building there is Parliament.

The Castle District

Matthias Church where, at 11 o'clock there rang a wonderful peal of bells. I miss hearing that sound!

A side view of the church

A very imposing Magyar

Glenn in front of the Fisherman's Bastian

If only our manhole covers were like this!

Rather than shop, I chose to drag Glenn along, kicking and screaming - not - to the Konditorei. This type of place, a coffee house with pastries (and burgers) is all over the area. Having spent time at such coffee houses many years ago I knew just how marvelous these places are!

Back to the coach, we were off to join the ship. The afternoon was spent relaxing, watching Hungary pass by on the left and Slovakia on the right.

After a before dinner talk, we shared the dinner table with our friends Teddy and Dave from Loveland, and a great Filipino couple who live in the States, and enjoyed another wonderful three course meal with choices of local favourites or other delectable treats. Then it was off to research, collect photos, write and sleep.

Tomorrow Vienna!