Inspired by Windsor palace
by IngaA
Parliament. The building that became one of the symbols of Budapest. It has some features that we can see in Windsor palace in London. Actually the idea was more or less taken from that place. The constrution took about 19 yearts and was finished in 1904.
Decorated with statues of Hungarian kings, located near Danube, it is one of the top points for tourists.
It is open, you can make a tour inside, but the tour must be scheduled and not coincide with parliament sessions.
Inside there is a so-called "Coupol hall" with the statues of Hungarian kings of Arpad dynasty and 3 statues of Habsbours. All the kings are looing at the middle of the room exept that 1st king Arpad. He looks at Habsbourgs, as if asking: What are they doing here, between us? How come?
In the Session hall at the tribune there is a trace of a bullet. Somewhen at the beginning of XX century, during the Parliamenent session, there was a deputy who was shooting at the Chairman. He did not kill the Chairman but since that time there are guardians in the Session hall during Parliament sessions.
One more interesting detail. Near the session hall there is a special place for igars. Sometimes deputies came out for smoking but were alled back to the session, for example, to vote. They could put the lighted cigars there. If the session was intensive and the important decisions were taken, it happened the cigare burnt. Now there is a proverb : "it is worthwile of Habana' (that time and now Habana cigars r very expensive)
Another piece of beautiful...
by Pegasus74
Another piece of beautiful architecture is the State Opera House. It is gorgeous and could be rival to that in Paris and Vienna. Again it's the exquisite interior and exterior features that makes it so appealing.
Most musems are closed on Monday so I only had time for four during the weekend. The last one which I entered is the Hungarian National Museum. It houses an amazingly great collection of art and artifacts, including historical documents and photographs which vividly depict the events from Hungary's turbulent past. I was more interested in the 20th century exhibits, especially that of the 1956 Revolution and the events of 1989, which signalled the end of Communism in Eastern Europe. Of the many pictures which kept my eyes starring at, the one of the destroyed Chain Bridge attracted them most. The exhibit on decorative pipes is another of my favorite section. Other museums in Pest include the Museum of Fine Arts and Museum of Applied Arts. So much to see but so little time I had, I was hoping the next day wasn't Monday.
The lions of the Chain Bridge
by aramat
According to the legend, the lions of the Chain Bridge were sculpted without tongues and the sculptor was mocked so much that he jumped into the Danube in shame. Tragic story, but fortunately not true: the lions do have tongues and the sculptor lived into the 1890s. (Another legend holds that this is what he told to the people mocking him: "Your wife should have a tongue just as my lions have, and woe will be unto you!")
Money
by keeweechic
Banks charge the lowest commission for changing money. Most are open weekdays only from 9am to 2:30pm.
DO NOT change money on the street - this is both illegal and dangerous and you will get ripped off.
Try to notice the little things
by Kiriel
It was the wee small things that caught my eye. The little architectural features such as an angel built into a wall, and this little iron dragon, capture the imagination and inspire a lot of affection for the city of Budapest.
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Ambience
Raised walkways grant access to the boats.
Raphael's "Eszterhazy Madonna" (unfinished)
The Taban District, Budapest
