Budapest part 3

Budapest, Hungary--is a very interesting city.  It needs to be experienced to be understood-although it would probably take several visits to really get to know it.  Budapest and Hungary have a different feel to it than most cities/countries.  It is difficult to explain why or how it is different.  You will need to visit it yourself to understand what I mean.

 Andrassy ut--one of the major streets in Budapest.

 A bench on the street.  Budapest was once considered 

one of the most cultured cities in Europe.

 Outside of the House of Terror--a museum that is dedicated to the memory of those who were tortured and killed by the Nazi and Communist secret police.

 Wall to remember those who lost their lives during the Nazi occupation 

during WWII and the Communist rule following the war.  The terror 

lasted until 1989 when the Communists were removed from power.

 Museum in Budapest

 Budapest is famous for its hot springs.  There are 123 

of them in the city with more than two dozen public bath houses.

 We visited this bath house.  It has many different pools of varied

temperatures.  As you can tell, the air temperature was cold--below 

freezing--but the water was wonderful.

 Outside pool at the bath house.

 Inside pools

 Two of the inside pools at the bath house.

 Parliament House in Budapest

 Memorial to those who fought for freedom.

 Old building in Budapest

 Street leading to St. Stephen's Basilica

 St. Stephen's Basilica--Stephen was Hungary's first Christian king.

 

 Alter in St. Stephen's Basilica

 The red marble and the ornate decor make this a truly beautiful building

 This is one of our favorite Churches/Cathedrals

 Simply beautiful

 This jeweled box holds the withered (mummified) hand of St. Stephen.  

Once a year, it is taken out and paraded around the town to honor the old king.

 We ate dinner in this underground restaurant.