Wednesday, 18 September 2024

Budapest

We took the train from Vienna to Budapest. The trains are fast, smooth and comfortable.


Railjet to Budapest


Weather deteriorating. Plenty wind turbines and pylons.

We were told that Hungary would be edgier than Vienna. It has some of the same grand architecture from the 'Peace Time' in the second half of the nineteenth century, when Franz Joseph was emperor of both Austria and Hungary. But whereas Vienna is clean and well-kempt and oh-so bourgeois, Budapest has an angry oppositional scruffy edge to it. 


T-shirts


Still an interest in aesthetics.




But not much interest in maintenance.

As in Vienna, there has been at times considerable expense paid for what might be called 'architectural bling'. Here are some examples:


The State Opera House


Detail view


Opera House inside














Decoration on the main railway station


Decoration on a balcony


Decoration around a window


Street light


Anker Palace. Note the shabby deterioration.


More here.


Liberty Bridge across the Danube.


Plenty Danube River cruise ships. Plenty coaches and large tour groups being led around.


Elizabeth Bridge




We met up with the Drummond family, who are our friends and neighbours from Austinville, and enjoyed a boat cruise on the Danube and a meal in a restaurant with them.


Buda castle


Budapest University of Technology and Economics


Buda Castle




Parliament House






St Matthias Church


Violinist in the restaurant


Cymbalom player


Central Market Hall


Peeking through the sausages in the Central Market Hall

We did a photo tour at night with a young photographer, Tamás.


The Chain Bridge in the evening


Danube bridges


Budapest at night




Reflections of the Parliament Building in the Danube in flood


People from Budapest

1 comment:

  1. Parlement house and church are impressive!! What a great idea to go with a photographer to see Budapest at night time! I love to take in the insides of buildings and feel that way the impact of the space that is created. In the Netherlands there was an Art Deco bank across from where I lived and I used to walk in once a week. Tel George she looks super young and gorgeous!

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