Budapest, Hungary

Luckily weather forecasting is an imprecise art and the 85% prediction for rain produced nary a drop, giving us a beautiful day to continue exploring Budapest in more detail.
Heroes Square is a large memorial dedicated to heroes of Hungary and its many struggles during a long history of turmoil and occupation. Millennium memorial contains statues of the leaders of the seven tribes that founded Hungary in addition to other figures from Hungarian history.

View of the parliament building, chain bridge and the Danube River from a hilltop in Buda.
Matthias church is located in the heart of Buda's castle district. According to church tradition, it was originally built in 1015. The current building was constructed in the second half of the 14th century, extensively restored in the late 19th century and is currently undergoing renovation. It serves as a symbol of the city's rich, yet often tragic history. During the 150 years of Turkish occupation, the church's interior was whitewashed and it became the city's main mosque. Following the Turkish expulsion in 1685, the church was restored to its previous state.

The castle in Buda is has been, and is currently being, extensively restored. It was heavily bombed during World War II, destroying the structure and all the furnishings. The interior has been restored as accurately as possible and now houses the collections of several museums.


Unfortunately, local musicians, whom I'm sure are quite talented, perform the music they think the tourists will recognize and want to hear. This duet was playing Fiddler on the Roof instead of traditional or local music. Too bad.

Evidence of damage done to the city's buildings during World War II. Many have been restored but some are left as grim reminders of the countries suffering.

The Hungarian parliament building, sitting on the banks of the Danube, is currently the largest building in Hungary and houses the National Assembly of Hungary.

Everywhere you walk, you are met with examples of Hungary's rich architectual heritage.

The Dohany Street Synagogue, which houses the Jewish Museum, is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world. It has a seating capacity of 3,000. During WW2, Jews were not allowed to be buried in public cemetaries so mass graves were constructed in the synagogue's courtyard as a final resting place for the many Jewish citizens brutally murdered during Germany's occupation of Budapest.