Date: 16th August 2023
Travelled: 0 kms just public transport in Budapest
Visited: Budapest
Stayed: Parkolรณ Stellplatz, โฌ25, N47.48560, E19.03130
Budget: 86 days @ โฌ88 per day
Our fourth and final day in Budapest is a chance to catch up on a couple of things that were either closed or too busy when we tried a day or two ago.
Another warm day in the low 30ยฐs is on its way. We had a thunderstorm with some rain last night but itโs clear this morning.
Back on the metro we make for the centrum.
Budapest is hosting the world athletic championships starting in two days. Weโve noticed the marques going up everywhere and temporary stages being erected in front of everything we want to get a photo of. But the anti is up today, as we see ticket inspectors everywhere on the public transport. We soon work out if your a local you get a fine, if your a visitor they point you to a ticket machine, if your old and fumble for your ticket like us, they make a face and wave us on. Once we worked out the fumble and confused look we didnโt even try to get our tickets out.
From Deรกc Ferenc Ter itโs a short walk to the Basilica of Saint Stephen.
Our guide book tells us the Basilica is neo-classical in style. It took 50 years to build being completed in 1905. Seems like a long time but the dome collapse during a storm in 1868, meant the whole building had to be demolished and started again. Very reassuring.
We pay our โฌ5 pp including access to the dome. The dome does provides some great views of the city.
Leaving the Basilica we jump back on the metro for the House of Terror. Sounds like something from an amusement park, but itโs certainly not that.
The museum is housed in the building that was once the headquarters of the Hungarian Secret Police or รVH. The House of Terror museum recalls the Double Occupation by Hungaryโs fascist and Stalinist regimes. Most heavily covering the period from the end of WWII to the 1956 Uprising when tanks were used agains civilian protestors on the streets of Budapest.
We had never heard of the Arrow Cross Party but after an hour in the museum weโre unlikely to forget them. The piรฉce de rรฉsistance is getting into the elevator on the 3rd floor to come down to the exit. The elevator door closes and display screens turns on repeating the worst of the atrocities as the elevator inches very slowly to the ground floor.
We had planed to visit the Budapest Art Gallery in the late afternoon but we ran out of time and energy, so we made our way back to the Hymer calling it a day.
Our visit to Budapest has been amazing. The public transport easy and efficient. Lots to see and do, great food and drink just tops it off. Big drive tomorrow.
Michael + Pam
One thought on “Budapest (3), Hungary ๐ญ๐บ 2023”
Loved you reports on Budapest…one place I am yet to visit. Safe travels. How long till you get home and we can catch up?