Budapest – A Tale of Three Cities

Over 2,000 years old, Budapest is a large city containing traces of the various forces that have ruled it over time. Romans, Turks, Goths and many others have conquered the city. Somehow, the various influences work in such a way as to make the city sparkle.

In a bit of trivia, Budapest was historically considered three cities. The three cities were Pest, Obuda and Buda. Although grouped together, the cities were naturally divided by the Danube River which forks in the middle of the city. In 1873, the three cities were combined into one and given the Budapest name.

Although Budapest has more attractions than could possible be covered in one article, here are a few must see locations.

Spas

Budapest sits on a tectonic plate fault line in Eastern Europe. While earthquakes seem inevitable, one advantage to the location is the proliferation of mineral water spas in the city. Here are a few highlights.

The Gellert Spa Hotel is located in the center of Budapest on the eastern shore of the Danube River. From the front, the hotel looks like a classic renaissance building you would find in Paris or Vienna. The entrance to the hotel opens onto an indoor pool that looks like something out of ancient Rome. The square pool is surrounded by baroque columns and covered by a glass roof two stories above the water. Palms, plants and relaxing Hungarians are everywhere. It is staggeringly impressive.

For roughly ten dollars, you can have the full Gellert experience. There is one mixed sex indoor pool and two sections reserved for just men and women. In these reserved sections, one can get massage services, but keep in mind these are vigorous Turkish style massages. Put another way, you will be getting slapped around a bit instead of nearly falling asleep.

At the rear of the Gellert, there is an outdoor area that rivals any Las Vegas hotel. Unlike Vegas hotels with themes, this pool area is truly historic. The area comes with marble steps, ceramic tile mosaics and lush landscape. One tends to feel a bit like you are taking a bath in the Vatican.

There are spas all over the place in Budapest. Although I didn’t personally visit it, I was told very good things about the Kiraly Baths. Kiraly was apparently built during Turkish rule and the spa experience is entirely Turkish.

Castle District

Situated in the Buda section of Budapest, the Castle District sits on the eastern side of the Danube. Positioned a couple hundred feet above the Danube, the entire city of Budapest can be seen from the numerous vantage points. The view is so amazing, the Italians coined a saying, “Europe has three gems – Venice on the water, Florence in the plains and Buda in the hills.” The Italians definitely got it right.

Buda Castle  - Sitting on top of a hill and towering over the Danube, the Buda Castle is stunning. Construction started under the guidance of King Bela IV in the 14th century and was expanded upon by later rulers. Medieval times, however, saw the castle burned, looted, demolished, bombed with cannon balls and ransacked. Each time, new rulers rebuilt.

Visiting Buda Castle is like stepping back into the heights of the renaissance. The Castle is adorned with red marble stairways, gothic facades, bastions and epic statutes overlooking the Danube. The fountains around the Castle simply can’t be described with words.

Holy Trinity Square

Just to the south of Buda Castle lies holy trinity square. The Church of the Holy Lady, which is also known as Matthias Church, dominates the square. The church has served as the location where Hungarian Kings undertook their rule and many famous figures are interred on the grounds.

Behind Matthias Church is the rather interesting Fishermen’s Bastion. This Roman bastion has the appearance of a mini-castle at Disneyland. The views from the parapets are amazing as you take in the Danube River as it cuts through Budapest. Just outside of Bastion, however, you have to keep your eye out for something amazing.

Hungarians historically have been some of the best horsemen in the world. As part of the tradition, the horseman carried bullwhips instead of ropes. Big bull whips. And they like to crack them just outside of the bastion. If you aren’t paying attention when this occurs, the world’s loudest snap will send scare the “you know what” out of you. The only thing I can equate it to is the sound of rolling thunder, but without the rolling. When it happens, drinks, food and cameras go flying.

The Castle District is definitely worth a visit. In fact, the District is a good reason to go to Budapest.

The Danube River runs through the center of Budapest in Hungary. In the middle of the city chaos lays an oasis of tranquility, Margaret Island.

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