The Late Explorer: Day 4

Today, we continue exploring Budapest.

Our first stop was the market. It would remind one of the English market in Cork.

The food was displayed downstairs and clothes and trinkets upstairs.

Our next stop will be the Parliament, picturesquely situated on the banks of the Danube. The architect submitted the drawings to Berlin for the Reichstag but they were rejected in favour of the present structure. Berlin’s loss was Budapest’s gain! Dear readers those of you who have seen both buildings may agree !! Designed by Imre Steindl, it was commenced in 1885 and inaugurated in 1896 on the country’s 1,000th anniversary. It was completed in 1902

During the failed October 1956 Revolution against the Communist regime, protesters gathered outside the Parliament, shots were fired and many died.

Its limestone facade has been ravished by air pollution.

During the Soviet occupation, a red star was erected over the building but this was removed in 1993.

We eventually found the entrance to discover that all tours were booked out for today. We had to go online to get a ticket for tomorrow and it was printed off at the ticket desk!!

We took tram 2, then walked to the Octagon, one of the oldest metro stations in Europe.

Nect stop - the Opera. The Opera is closed for performances as the main hall is under renovation. We are to see the remainder.

The entrance hall

The opera house was built when Hungry was part of the Austro - Hungarian empire. Budapest wished to have an Opera House similar to Vienna’s.. It got one but it is smaller.

On tour, we were taken to the Bar for the aristocracy alone. In the past the bourgeois had their own - Hungarian society was class conscious! A new bar has recently been installed which, in my opinion, takes from the room.

As we could not see the Main Concert venue, we were permitted to take the Royal Staircase - even today only the PM and Speaker of the House are permitted to use it., when attending the opera.

There is a mirrror at the top and bottom of the staircase. Protocol did not permit royalty to turn their heads - the mirrors enabled them to see who was behind them!!

We were then treated to a mini concert entertained by two excellent sopranos.

Afterwards we quitted the Opera House disappointed at not seeing the main venue.

We took the metro to Vaci Utca, where we had stayed 30 years ago. As far as we could recall, we had stayed at what is now the Mercure hotel. CC reminded me that we ate in a restaurant by the river where a Soviet General was holding court. . It is hard to believe that the city was under Soviet control then and how it has developed in the last 30 years.

We decided to try some local treats and had a glass of mulled wine and a Langos - bread with garlic and sour cream - though there are multiple varieties of toppings.

Having traversed Vaci Utca, we returned to the hotel to collect our swim suits and crossed Liberty Bridge to the famous Gellért Thermal Baths.

Constructed 1912-1918, during the final phase of the Habsburg Empure, the building was destroyed during WW11 and rebuilt in the 1940s.

In addition to the indoor pool, there are smaller pools with temperatures of 36/40 degrees, a sauna and a steam room. From May to October similar outdoor facilities are open. It was 25 degrees here in Budapest a couple of weeks ago -today it was 8 reducing to -2 tonight!!

We returned to the hotel, dressed and went to dinner at Monks restaurant nearby. It was fine dining at its best