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XI. Gellérthegy (near to the Gellért Hotel), Open: 8am-9pm daily,
Admission free
Cared for once again by the Hungarian Paulite order of monks, this unique Cave Church was first
dedicated in 1926. Having been expanded in the early thirties by the Archbishop of Kalocsa to cope
with large numbers of worshippers, it was boarded up during the Communist era and only re-opened in
1989.
Soviet War Memorial (Located in Szabadság
tér)
 V. Szabadság tér, Metro: M2
Kossuth tér
Although other Soviet statues and memorials in Budapest have been removed or carted off to Statue
Park, this monument remains as a genuine reminder of the sacrifices made by Red army troops who
died liberating Budapest in 1944/45.
Located within easy walking distance of Parliament, Imre Nagy's memorial
statue and the Danube Embankment.
Statue of a Hussar (Located in Disz tér)
I. Disz tér, Várbusz, Bus 16
The statue stands at Disz Ter (or Parade Square). Although the name and statue indicate a military
function, this was in fact the site of a medieval market.
Statue of Prince Eugene of Savoy
I. Budavári palota,
Várbusz, Bus 16
Overlooking the Danube is the equestrian statue of Eugene of Savoy, commander of the army that
liberated Hungary from Turkish rule in 1686.
The story goes that the statue, which was originally
commissioned by the townsfolk of Zenta, lay unfinished until Alajos Hauszmann (who had been given the task
of enlarging the palace) persuaded King-Emperor Franz Joseph to raise funds to secure its future
along this part of the Castle wall.
As well as offering a tranquil spot in which to take a stroll, this part of the Royal
Palace also affords excellent views of the city below, with the
Chain and Elizabeth bridges combining to provide some
wonderful photo opportunities.
National Széchényi Library
(Országos Széchényi
Könyvtár)
I. Buda Palace, Wing F, Várbusz from Metro M2 Moszkva tér, Open 10am-4:30pm, Mon Tue, 10am-6pm
Wed-Fri, Website: www.oszk.hu
Taking up several floors of the Royal Palace, this vast library is a mecca for scholars, students
and anyone else wanting information on Hungary. Every book published in the country is catalogued
and placed here, along with a mind boggling collection of journals, newspapers and archive
documents. If you're conducting research, then it's probably best to ask for help in finding
titles. So long as you bring suitable ID (preferably a passport) the librarians (some of whom speak
English) are happy to oblige. As you can imagine though, finding anything in a library this size
does takes time! That said, if Count Ferenc Széchényi were around today, he would no
doubt be proud that the library bearing his name is an unparalleled centre for learning about
Hungary. Well-worth seeing if you already plan to visit the Royal Palace.
Statue of Imre Nagy (Nagy Imre Szobor)
 V. Vértanúk tere (corner of
Nádor/Vécsey/Báthory utca), Metro:
M2 Kossuth tér
This fine bronze statue commemorates Imre Nagy, Prime Minister of Hungary immediately prior to the
1956 uprising. Nagy, who had tried to introduce a more relaxed form of Communism in the
country (pulling
away from Soviet domination) took refuge
in the Yugoslavian Embassy after the revolution had been crushed. Then, after
being given false assurances of safe passage by the Soviets, Nagy was arrested as soon as he left the safety of the compound.
Tried and executed two years later (and quietly buried in an unmarked,
overgrown corner of the main Budapest cemetery) Nagy's body was finally exhumed
- and given a full state burial - following the country's move to parliamentary
democracy in 1989. A national hero.
Turul Statue (Turul Szobor)
 I. Szent Győrgy tér, Várbusz, Bus
16
Just next to the upper terminal of the Budavári Sikló is the magnificent Turul
Statue. This mythical Hungarian eagle, cast in bronze with wings outstretched, is said to have
sired Álmos the father of Árpád, who led the Magyar conquest of the Carpathian
Basin in the 9th century.
This part of the Royal Palace also affords excellent overlooking the
Danube, with the
Chain Bridge, funicular and Pest embankment (Dunakorzó) combining to provide some
wonderful photo opportunities. In autumn, marquees are erected next to the gates
underneath the statue for the city's annual International Wine Festival. For a reasonable
entrance fee, you can then sample wines from around the country, including those from
Hungary's largest wine growing region - Lake Balaton.
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