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Budapest Sights/Attractions (Page 2)

Vajdahunyad Castle, City Park
 
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Central Market Hall (Nagy Vásárcsarnok)

Central Market Hall, BudapestIX. Fővam tér, Metro: M2 Kálvin tér, Trams 2, 47, 49, Website: www.csapi.hu, Open: 6am-5pm Mon, 6am-6pm Tue-Fri, 6am-2pm Sat
Heading south-west from Kálvin tér to Vámház körút, you'll come across the largest of five market halls opened towards the end of the 19th-century - the Central Market Hall. This grand structure originally incorporated an indoor canal by which goods were delivered to the market's traders. Restored in 1994, the sheer size and grandeur of the hall reflects an era when Budapest was a city with big ideas.

Central Market Hall, BudapestAlthough the canal is long gone, visitors can still marvel at the amazing variety of fresh produce, meat and flowers for sale. Housed beneath a beautifully restored Zsolnay tiled roof, the immaculately laid out market stalls charge the senses with a combination of vivid colours and intoxicating smells.

As is the case with many of Europe's great market halls, if you plan to visit, do so early in the morning. Saturday in particular, is the best time to see this impressive market in full swing.

The Central Synagogue (Nagy Zsinagóga)

Central Synagogue, BudapestVII. Dohány utca 2, M2 Astoria, Bus 7, 7A, 78, Tram 47, 49, Trolleybus 74, Open: 10am-3pm Mon-Fri, 10am-1pm Sun
Completed in 1859 from a Lajos Förster design, the Great Synagogue is second only in size to New York's Temple Emmanuel. Two impressive 'Moorish' style domes make it one of the most distinguishable landmarks in Pest, while the detailed façade of the building is decorated with brickwork in the heraldic colours of the city - blue, yellow and red.

 Adjoining the main building (on the corner of Wesselényi u.) is the Heroes Temple, which seats 250 people and is used for religious services on weekdays. Although not open to the public, the Lazlo Vago/Ferenc Farogó design serves as a memorial to Hungarian Jews who gave their lives during World War I.

Weeping Willow Memorial, BudapestThe courtyard to the rear houses the Synagogue's garden of remembrance. Here, Imre Varga's poignant weeping willow stands as a memorial to the Holocaust.

As well as the names of Jewish families who were murdered, an inscription simply reads 'Whose agony is greater than mine'. A moving exhibition on the fate of Budapest's Jewish population during World War II is also housed in a wing of the Synagogue.

Citadella

Citadella, BudapestXI. Gellérthegy, Bus 27, Tram 18, Website: www.citadella.hu
Built by the Habsburgs in the middle of the 19th-century, the Citadella's hill top position was used to strengthen their hold over Buda's inhabitants after the failed War of Independence between 1848-1849. Since then, the building has been used as a prison camp and an anti-aircraft battery by German forces during World War II.
 
Still scarred by bullet holes, the building today houses a restaurant, café and a youth hostel (the most inexpensive accommodation in town) while the area around the Citadella commands some of the most breathtaking views of the city. Just a short walk away is the statue of St. Gellért and the Liberation Monument.

Church of St. Anne (Szent Anna Templom)

Church of St. Anne, BudapestI. Batthyány tér 8, M2 Batthyány tér, Open (for services only): 6:45am-9am, 4pm-7pm Mon-Sat, 7am-1pm Sun
Guide books on Budapest are typically unrestrained in their praise for St Anne's. In truth, it's not difficult to see why. Located on the south side of Batthyhány tér, this fine Baroque building (Kristóf Hamon, Máté Nepauer 1740-1762) is a wholly captivating place of worship.

Over the years the church has withstood the ravages of earthquakes, floods, two World Wars and the construction of the nearby metro line and station. It's elegant well-proportioned exterior is matched inside by the high altar statues of the Virgin Mary and St Anne. Statues of angels and cherubs embellish the supporting altars, with a wonderful oval domed ceiling fresco by Pál Molnar completing the effect.

City Park (Városliget)

City Park, BudapestVI. Dósza Győrgy út, Metro: M1 Hősök tere
Known to locals as the Városliget, the park was originally designed to celebrate the Hungarian Millennium (in 1896) and includes the Vajdahunyad Castle and a small artificial lake.

The castle, which represents the many different styles of Hungarian architecture, takes its name from the structure's imposing portcullis entrance. This part of the building resembles the Transylvanian fortification of the same name, with the original castle (located in what is now Romania) once being home to János Hunyadi, hero of the Turkish wars.

Agriculture Museum, BudapestAs a popular area to stroll around, the City Park is also near to a number of other attractions such as the Széchenyi baths, Heroes' Square, the national Transport Museum (which includes aircraft displays), Budapest Zoo and Vidam Park. 

The famous Gundel restaurant, which is also one of the city's most expensive, is conveniently located just a few minutes walk away. 

Clark Ádám Square (Clark Ádám tér)

Clark Adam Square, BudapestI. Clark Ádám tér, Bus 16, 86, Tram 19
On the Buda side of the Lanchíd (Chain bridge) is a small park named after the famous British engineer who helped construct the crossing.

Aside from serving as the lower terminus of the Castle District Funicular (from where you can ascend to the Royal Palace), the park also houses the Kilometre Zero stone, the point from which all road distances from Budapest are measured.

Danube Embankment (Dunakorzó)

Little Princess Statue, BudapestAlthough today's Dunakorzó (universally known as the korzó) cannot be compared to the grand promenade which existed during the second half of the 19th-century, it remains a favourite spot for tourists.

Running alongside the Danube between the Erszébet and Szabadság bridges, the korzó follows the route of the No. 2 Villamos passed the Sofitel Maria Dorottya, InterContinental and Marriott Hotels.

Related Information
Worth Noting: The nearby Vörösmarty tér (square) is a focal point for festivals throughout the year, as well as being the location for the city's Christmas Market. Moored on a ship next to the embankment, you'll also find the Spoon Cafe and Lounge (external link) - a good choice for a fine meal with unforgettable views.

On a warm summer's day, it's fashionable to sit and chat over a cold beer or coffee in one of the many riverside cafés (service can be painfully slow during high season though). Alternatively, you can sit and admire the views of Buda, free of charge, from one of the old-time replica 'Buchwald-chairs' on the front.

Also worth looking out for is Laszlo Marton's little bronze statue of a child perched on the railings between the korzó and the tramline. Entitled 'Little Princess' the figure is curiously seen wearing a jester's hat. Less than five minutes walk away is the fashionable Váci utca which stretches from Vörösmarty tér to Vámház kórút.

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