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Budapest

the Pearl of the Danube

By Emma-Jane Browne

August 30^th, 2018

I traveled to Budapest with little idea of what to expect, but discovered an amazing city. I love the vibes and feel of the city, and there was just so much to do - museums, castles, churches, beautifulwalks. I even got to visit a cave hidden in the Buda hills.

I also gave the thermal baths a shot, and while it's like stepping back into another time, the experience is clearly not for me.

Vajdahunyad Castle

Sort of a architectural Disneyland, the castle represents a thousand years of Hungarian architecture, mixing various architectural styles popular in the country and parts of the castle based on well known landmarks (from both Hungary and Romania). Originally built in 1896 in cardboard and wood, it was so popular it was rebuilt in stone between 1904 and 1908.

St Stephan's Basilica

Buda Castle

Originally the palace of the Hungarian kings, the palace was destroyed in the 17th century. It was rebuilt over the years, but again severly damaged in World War II. It went through several contradictory reconstructions and renovations, and currently houses the Budapest History Museum and the Hungarian National Gallery.

Randomly, the exteriors were used as a filming location for Katy Perry's 'Firework' music video.

varnegyed

The castle district, probably the most touristic area of Budapest, complete with quaint little streets, the Matthias church, and the Fisherman's Bastion.

Aquincum

The ancient town of Aquincum - situated in the north of modern Budapest, the Obuda district - was the capital of the Roman province of Pannonia Inferior.