The Hospital-Bunker in Budapest
An underground complex hides underneath Buda Castle. This complex served as a military hospital during the Second World War. At that time the Buda Castle, seat of the Hungarian government, was a bomb shelter, the safest place in the city of Budapest. The mayor, Károly Szendy, commissioned the construction of 10 kilometers of secret passages with a military hospital inside, known as The Hospital in the Rock. This is a must-see place if you want to get to know the history of Hungary and its capital.
Károly Szendy’s bunker can be visited for 4.000 florins (about 14 Euros) and is an unusual tourist attraction. Inside the rock, there are many interconnected caves forming a complex maze. The hospital is intact; you can visit the common rooms for wounded soldiers, the operating theaters and even the X-ray rooms, which curiously worked with an independent electricity system. This construction served as a shelter for many wounded soldiers after the air raids of the Americans in 1944. In there, military and also the civilian population were attended.
The hospital in the rock had capacity for 300 patients, but in many cases up to 700 patients had to be attended at once. Today you can still visit this hospital, which houses a large exhibition with dozens of wax sculptures that resemble war heroes: those doctors and nurses who risked their lives to save the lives of many victims of the war during a black episode in the Hungarian history. It was the refuge of entire families that sought a desperate hope to keep living. Down there, I can assure you, you’ll feel something strange. You’ll perceive the smell of war and somehow witnesses of what happened in these underground passages of Budapest.
The museum opened in 2006 and the best way to get there is by catching the cogwheel train that you’ll find just across the Danube after the Chain Bridge towards Buddha. It is situated in Adam Clark Square and the journey that makes this funicular (Sikló) takes no more than two minutes total. It is the fastest way to get there. However, there are other transport alternatives such as catching the bus from Várfok street, you’ll easily recognize the bus, because it is blue and has a castle painted on it. You can also take the elevator that goes from Palota Street to the Royal Palace; it works from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm, from there you can walk up the steps to the Szarvas square towards the Buda Castle. There are few steps, but you’ll stop many times to take pictures, because of the stunning views of the Danube and Pest that you can see from there. Keep in mind that wondering around the streets of Budapest you can also wind up at the Fishermens Bastion, a fortress that deserves an independent post.
DianaRPretel
Find accommodation in Budapest and visit this World War II hospital-bunker. You’ll feel something strange down there.
International Wine Festival in Budapest 2012
If you like wine, this event is for you. From the 12th to the 16th of September the well-known Budapest International Wine Festival will take place in the beautiful capital of Hungary. Once again this popular festival returns to Budapest to entertain locals and visitors.
The International Wine Festival is held in Buda Castle, a venue considered as a World Heritage by UNESCO. All its rooms and courtyards will showcase over 5000 different wines coming from all around the world; in total there will be 220 wineries from 15 countries. Visitors will have the chance to sample wines produced by the most prestigious and famous winemakers in the world, as well as by young innovators that have come to the market with plenty of new ideas and energy.
This festival offers all kind of activities related to wine tasting, as well as grape cultivation and wine production. You will also have the chance to attend seminars about new production techniques.
There are courses for beginners and professionals related to wine tasting. You can learn to differentiate the color, aroma and flavor of different wines.
Gastronomy is inevitably linked to the world of wine. That is why; you’ll also be delighted different types of Hungarian cheeses and meats, while tasting the best wines in the world.
Some of the most representative Hungarian folk and jazz bands will extend the great cultural offerings of the event. Dance groups will also entertain the audience with traditional Budapest dances, which will make this wine festival an unforgettable event.
The Budapest International Wine Festival also has activities planned for those traveling with their family. There is a playground full of activities and attractions for the younger members of the family; ideal for parents to enjoy a day of fun without worrying about their children.
Apart of all the above mentioned, the festival will host, once again, its well-known Charity Auction. On the 14th of September, you will be able to buy some wine and contribute your bit to help the needy.
If you want to know more about times, locations and wineries visit the official website of the event at http://www.aborfesztival.hu/index.php?lang=en
If you love wine, you can’t miss this event. The Budapest International Wine Festival is one of the most important in Eastern Europe. If you are planning to come to Hungary, keep in mind that the event will take place from the 12th to the 16th of September 2012.
There are two different choices of tickets available, daily passes (€ 10) and passes that cover all days of the festival (€ 27), so you can purchase tickets that suit your needs, just keep in mind that wine tastings are for free. Come and enjoy one of the oldest pleasures in the world. Bottoms up!
Salermico
Are you going to travel to Budapest and don’t know where to stay? Rent apartments in Budapest and get the comfort, space and privacy you always wanted to have during your holidays.
Unique Festival 2012 in Budapest
From the 23rd to the 25th of August, youll have the chance to live a unique experience in a unique place, Unique Festival 2012 in Budapest.
Its location is also unique, since it takes place at Budai Vár (Buda Castle) of the Hungarian kings, built in the 15th century on the south part of the hill, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.
Big stars of the 80s and 90s will gather in this festival that, due to its spectacular venue and the wonderful views that surround it, is an unprecedented show.
So that you can understand it better, Unique Festival 2012 is planned around three stages in Budai Vár:
- The central stage, Hunyadi Udvar, is a place where, next to the concert, you can sample a large variety of delicious food and drink for the attendants.
- Savoyai Terasz has panoramic views of the city and, during the festival, it will be an exclusive terrace where some concerts will take place.
- Orasziánas Udvar is the main patio in the palace, and another stage for the concerts.
Also, you can visit the museums, art galleries and rooms that make up this monument complex that majestically overlooks the city of Budapest from the heights.
The musical offer is incomparable, especially for 80s and 90s music lovers. In the 80s rockstar lineup there is Bonnie Tyler, Piramis or Üzletembers and in the beloved 90s lineup, DJ Bobo, Ufo, Animal Cannibals or Kozmix.
Tickets are sold according to your preferences, being distributed by areas and by styles and decades, so this way everyone can configure their festival in their own way. Also, prices are affordable for an event of such quality. And when I say quality, I mean it in all aspects because Unique Festival also stands out for its social commitment, helping various charities.
Anyhow, its a unique festival in a unique place! Are you going to miss out on this unique experience? If you want more information on the concerts, you can visit the official website of Unique Festival 2012 at: http://uniquefestival.hu/
Cinta Blanch
If youre looking for apartments in Budapest, dont forget to buy your tickets for Unique Festival 2012, a unique occasion to see the biggest stars of the 80s and 90s live while you enjoy a unique landscape in the world!
The Festival of San Esteban in Budapest
Budapest offers every curious traveler who goes in search of beauty and art impressive cultural festivals throughout the year in a peaceful setting. This means, there’s little noise, as if these events were celebrated everyday with the citizens calmly in attendance. And as we have pointed out in this blog, the city offers an impressive array of film screenings, concerts (of all kinds of music), exhibitions, sports competitions and much more. And all of this entertainment and fun is only interrupted on a single day each year: on Aug. 20. On this day, all ofHungarystops to pay homage to St. Stephen, the patron saint not only inBudapestbut of the entire country.
St. Stephen (Szent István in Hungarian) lived between 975 and 1038 and was the first king ofHungary. His warlike qualities were united with his Christian virtues. He was sanctified, although he had not died as a martyr. Rather, he died an old man in his own bed. So when he is represented on horseback (sculptures that abound in every part ofBudapest), the animal has four legs resting on the ground. It was standard to depict someone who died in battle with the horse’s forelegs raised. If the death was the result of wounds sustained in war, one leg would be depicted in the air and the other on the floor. These details might provide a good way to show off such knowledge to your friends at some point.
I recognize that some readers may find the issue with things that are a bit gory, but most of the feast of St. Stephen in Budapest hinges on this detail: the arm of the saint is preserved in the basilica of the same name and each August 20 it is part of a procession through the streets of the city under the national flag. The religious ceremony unites secular celebrations such as parades, marching bands, a craft market (which is set up some four days before), sport competitions, and a strange activity that involves making a community bread in a square near the Basilica of San Esteban.
Throughout the day, Budapest is all about partying and taking advantage of the good weather to walk, socialize, have fun, eat and drink until nightfall. This is when a festival of fireworks lights up the sky over the capital. You can see them from anywhere, since they are ignited from theBudaCastleon the highest promontory in the locality. St. Stephen also maintains a rustic gold crown in the Romanesque style, but of Byzantine influence, his sword (remember he was a military unifier) and an orb, a symbol of political power and quality of king. These are presented, along with the relic, on August 20 in the basilica.
Candela Vizcaíno
A visit to the Hungarian capital is good any time of year, but especially during the beautiful summer months. If you decide to go in mid-August to catch the festival, dont forget to reserve apartments in Budapest. Theres a great selection and its a very economical choice.
The Festival of San Esteban in Budapest
Budapest offers every curious traveler who goes in search of beauty and art impressive cultural festivals throughout the year in a peaceful setting. This means, there’s little noise, as if these events were celebrated everyday with the citizens calmly in attendance. And as we have pointed out in this blog, the city offers an impressive array of film screenings, concerts (of all kinds of music), exhibitions, sports competitions and much more. And all of this entertainment and fun is only interrupted on a single day each year: on Aug. 20. On this day, all ofHungarystops to pay homage to St. Stephen, the patron saint not only inBudapestbut of the entire country.
St. Stephen (Szent István in Hungarian) lived between 975 and 1038 and was the first king ofHungary. His warlike qualities were united with his Christian virtues. He was sanctified, although he had not died as a martyr. Rather, he died an old man in his own bed. So when he is represented on horseback (sculptures that abound in every part ofBudapest), the animal has four legs resting on the ground. It was standard to depict someone who died in battle with the horse’s forelegs raised. If the death was the result of wounds sustained in war, one leg would be depicted in the air and the other on the floor. These details might provide a good way to show off such knowledge to your friends at some point.
I recognize that some readers may find the issue with things that are a bit gory, but most of the feast of St. Stephen in Budapest hinges on this detail: the arm of the saint is preserved in the basilica of the same name and each August 20 it is part of a procession through the streets of the city under the national flag. The religious ceremony unites secular celebrations such as parades, marching bands, a craft market (which is set up some four days before), sport competitions, and a strange activity that involves making a community bread in a square near the Basilica of San Esteban.
Throughout the day, Budapest is all about partying and taking advantage of the good weather to walk, socialize, have fun, eat and drink until nightfall. This is when a festival of fireworks lights up the sky over the capital. You can see them from anywhere, since they are ignited from theBudaCastleon the highest promontory in the locality. St. Stephen also maintains a rustic gold crown in the Romanesque style, but of Byzantine influence, his sword (remember he was a military unifier) and an orb, a symbol of political power and quality of king. These are presented, along with the relic, on August 20 in the basilica.
Candela Vizcaíno
A visit to the Hungarian capital is good any time of year, but especially during the beautiful summer months. If you decide to go in mid-August to catch the festival, dont forget to reserve apartments in Budapest. Theres a great selection and its a very economical choice.
Buda Castle: The royal castle of Budapest
Since 1987, Buda Castle has been a part of the UNESCO World Heritage list, and is known as Castle Hill in Buda. In the past, it was also the Royal Palace and the Royal Castle. It is the largest building and is located on the south side of Castle Hill. The Buda Castle District has three main elements of beauty, the Royal Palace, St. Georges Square and the historic residential area. This place is a real exhibit of the unforgettable view of surroundings. Here are many attractions lined.
The ideal location of Buda Castle has countless culturally important private and public buildings – Buda, Pest and Buda had a significant impact beyond the borders of the architecture of different periods.
Opposite the castle district and that on the Pest bank of the Danube is one of the most beautiful parliament building in the world.
At the Fishermens Bastion, you can locate yourself in some another world. Quiet music, soft lighting, across small tables and chairs, a kitschy colorful Christmas tree (typical Hungarian) and almost no people has been a famous trait of the place. So it may be the best place to relax and rest.
Today there are two museums, which are a pride part of Buda Castle. One of these is the Historical Museum of Budapest. It traces the history of the city from the origin up to the era of communism. The next is the Hungarian National Gallery with a monumental collection of Hungarian paintings and statues. It presents an encyclopedic collection of Hungarian art from the 10th Century to the present. Besides the museums, visitors can stroll the Buda Castle on his courtyard, to admire the architecture of the buildings and gardens in the medieval kennel.
At the Buda Castle basement, visitors can taste wines from the best wine regions of Hungary. Traversing the 500-square-meter cellar, after a wine-tasting course, there is an opportunity to learn about the local vineyards and the characteristics of the wines made from them in the history. In addition to wine and liquor tasting, wine tasting packages are sold in the basement. Items can be purchased from Winery to ensure the secure transportation of the wines to abroad.
Contacts :
I Budvári Palota, Dísz tér 17, Hungary-Budapest
Tel: (+36) (01) 375 75 33
John
The Buda castle district with its limited yet beautiful streets, old houses, flickering gas lamps and great monuments is the most romantic pedestrian district of Budapest. So why not rent apartments in Budapest and make this vacation the most romantic one.
Budapest Castle
Do you want to know Budapest? Do you want a relaxing, fun and relaxing holiday? Then you took the right decision: Budapest is an exciting and incredible city. Here you can spend unforgettable moments with friends or family. If you want to spend a special holiday, full of new people to meet then youre in the right place.
Do you know what to see in Budapest? There are thousands of things that will attract your attention as soon as you reach the city. There are many places of great historical and cultural interest, restaurants, clubs and discos. But what immediately takes the attention is, undoubtedly, the castle of the city.
The Buda Castle, historic seat of the kings of Hungary, was even called Castillo Palacio Real. It was built on the south side of the hill near the old quarter of the Castle, (Várnegyed), famous for its baroque and medieval houses and public buildings of the nineteenth century. It is linked to Adam Clark Square and the Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd) by funicular.
The Hungarian castle is located near the Danube River. The lighting makes the castle especially beautiful at night and not to be missed. It was constructed on the hills of Buda, after the Mongolian invasion in 1241, while Buda was appointed the capital of Hungary. Since then the castle has been improved and expanded in different historical periods, especially after the attacks during independence wars and battles. There are many universities, schools, libraries and museums, many of them run by nuns.
In fact, nowadays the castle houses the Budapest History Museum, which is divided into four floors. This museum shows the history of Budapest since the end of communism. You can also see the bottom of the Royal Chapel, which was completely restored, and in the basement you can see some examples of the prisons of the era. The beauty of the gardens is wonderful: they are from the middle ages. You can also enjoy a panoramic view of the castle. Even the towers are accessible, and you can see the Parliament building, the Danube, the streets surrounding the complex and, in the sunny days, the Statue of Liberty.
This wonderful place, a symbol of excellence in the Hungarian capital, was named a World Heritage Site in 1987. It is a must on your travels to Budapest! Rent apartments in Budapest and enjoy a great and comfortable stay.
