Former White Cross Inn
 I. Batthyány tér, M2 Batthyány
tér
On the west side of Batthyhány tér is the former White Cross Inn. Dating back
to the late 17th century, this fine Baroque building was, at the time, a popular and
important venue for theatrical performance. Today it's named Casanova House - apparently
after the great man himself, who is said to have stayed here. As far as latter day
entertainment is concerned, there's a fairly uninspiring disco/bar on the ground floor.
French Institute (Francia Intézet)
 I. Fő utca 17, Metro: M2
Batthyány tér, Tram 19, Website: www.inst-france.hu
Opened in 1992 on the site of the former French Embassy, George Maurois' elegant post
modernist building (1989) is a welcome addition to Buda's embankment. The institute, which
organises a wide variety of cultural events including classical performances, jazz
concerts, exhibitions and lectures, also houses a French language library, theatre and
bookshop. The views of downtown Pest from the library are magnificent. What's more the
institute's chic café provides a relaxing and interesting way to spend an hour.
I. Clark Ádam tér, Bus 16, 86, 105, Tram 19,
Open: 7:30am-10pm daily. Closed for maintenance every second Monday
By far the most tranquil way of ascending Castle Hill to the Royal Palace is the Sikló.
Originally opened in 1870, its main function was in providing cheap transport for local
workers. Fortune has, however, not always favoured the two little cable cars. Wrecked by
German shelling in 1945, the Sikló was left in a state of disrepair until being fully
restored in 1986.
 Today's
replica carriages, which use electricity rather than steam power, complete the steep
ascent to Szent György tér in just under one minute. The comparative quiet inside the
cars contrasts strikingly with the view across the Danube to bustling downtown Pest.
Whilst photographers and video enthusiasts will find shots from the
Sikló irresistible in the early morning, romantic couples will, no doubt, prefer the
spectacular floodlit views of the city at night. The lower terminus is just next to the
bridge at Clark Ádám tér.
Gellért Hotel and Thermal Baths (Gellért Gyógyfürdő)
XI. Kelenhegyi út 4, Bus 7, Trams 18, 19, 47,49, Open: 6am-6pm Mon-Fri, 6am-4pm Sat-Sun
Near the foot of the Szabadság hid (Szabadság Bridge) in Buda stands Szent Gellért tér
(Szent Gellért Square). The main attraction here is the Art Nouveau Gellért
Hotel, which houses a wonderfully lavish indoor swimming pool alongside separate
thermal baths, steam rooms and saunas. What's more, you don't have to be a guest at the
hotel to use the facilities. The 600 HUF admission fee also includes access to the outside
pool during the summer.
Tastefully decadent, the hotel and baths reflect the atmosphere of
Budapest's inter-war years, during which time the establishment was the playground for the
city's "rich and well-heeled". It was during this period that Károly Gundel,
Hungary's most famous restaurateur, took over the kitchens here.
Gellért Hill and Gellért Statue (Gellért Hegy)
Gellért Hill is the perfect vantage point to view central Budapest.
At the summit are the Liberation Monument and Citadella. The hill itself is named after
Bishop Gellért who had been invited by St. Stephen to help convert pagan Magyars to
Christianity. As legend goes, in the wake of Stephen's death, Gellért met his untimely
death after being toppled off the hillside in a barrel by militant heathens. His bronze
statue (Gyula Jankovits 1904) stands on the spot where he was martyred.
To reach the summit you can either climb the winding paths from the
statue or Hotel Gellért, or catch a bus to the top. The panoramic views from the summit
are unparalleled elsewhere in Budapest.
Gozsdu Courtyard (Gozsdu Udvar)
 VII.
Király utca/Dob utca, Metro: M2
Astoria, Trams 47, 49
A long row of seven linked inner courtyards in the heart of the old Jewish quarter, in
which you could previously find a number of small shops and workshops. Not far from Deák tér, this
area once gave a small taste of how Jewish Budapest used to be. Today, the entire site has
been transformed into luxury apartments.
Gresham Palace (Gresham Palota)
V. Roosevelt tér 6, Metro: Vörösmarty tér, Tram 2
Commissioned by the Gresham Insurance Company of London in 1904, Zsigmond Quittner's
extravagant Art Nouveau Palace is situated at the very foot of the Lánchid on Roosevelt tér.
Although the richly decorated façade crumbled during post war years, it was still easy
to appreciate just what a remarkable addition to the riverbank the building was at the
time. Completed in 1907, and undoubtedly state of the art for the period, the Palace was
fitted with all the latest mod-cons including central heating and a unique central vacuum
system. Despite the building being heavily damaged in both World War II and the 1956
uprising, the beautiful wrought-iron 'peacock' entrance gates survived intact. Inside, on
the second floor, Miksa Róth's fine stained glass window depicts the Hungarian reformist
politician Lajos Kossuth.
Now, after being purchased by the Four Season's chain, over $85
million has been spent on turning the building into a luxury hotel (opening early 2004).
For further information, including more on the reconstruction project, visit:
www.greshampalace.com
Heroes' Square (Hősök tere)
 VI.
Hősök tere, Metro: M1 Hősök tere
Built in 1896 to celebrate the millennium of the Hungarian conquest of the Carparthian
Basin, Heroes' Square is a vast and grandiose symbol of 19th-century Hungarian
nationalism.
An imposing 36-metre high column which supports the winged figure of
the Archangel Gabriel (György Zala 1896) is encircled on its pedestal by statues of the
seven conquering Magyar tribal chiefs on horseback. Behind, are two semi-circular
colonnades housing the statues of the most famous rulers in Hungarian history.
 The
stone tablet in front of the main column, which on ceremonial occasions is guarded by
soldiers, commemorates those who died for national freedom and independence.
The square is
flanked on either side by the Szépmüvészeti Múzeum (Museum of Fine Arts) and the Múcsarnok
(Palace of Art).
I.
Hess András tér, Metro to M2
Moszkva tér, then Várbusz (Castle Bus)
On the western side of Hess András tér stands the Budapest
Hilton. Although Béla Pintér's mid-70s building is now showing its age, the design
is set apart from others in the city thanks to the incorporation of a 13th-century
Dominican church (and the wall of a 17th-century Jesuit college) into the hotel's main
core. The Dominican courtyard, which sits between the two main wings, is occasionally used
as for open-air operas during the summer.
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