Being a Guerrilla Tourist in Budapest

20.07.2015

Guerrilla warfare is a form of attack that uses hit and run tactics. Because the temperatures have been hitting 35 to 40 degrees in Budapest, I have had to develop the hit and run strategies of a Guerrilla Tourist. My plan is to attack the two or three locations where I can do the most damage with my camera, and then run for the safety of an air conditioned space. No casualties so far, although the lens cover on my automatic camera stuck in a half open position and ruined a few photos today (could be the first casualty of this crazy heat war) Me and my camera took a subway ride to Heroes' square. The subway M1 that leads there was the first underground train tunnel to be built in Europe in 1900, and the stations are quaint in a sort of Sherlocky Holmes steampunk fashion, with antique tiling, polished wooden wall panels and painted steel girders with exposed nuts and bolts supporting the ceilings. As you climb the steps out of the station there is a Wow moment when you first see the square laid out before you with amazing statues and buildings everywhere you look. It too was built around 1900 for the 1000th anniversary of the foundation of the Hungarian State by the seven Magyar Chieftains in 896. It is such an impressive place, and I loved it. The column above the statues of the Chieftains holds a statue of the Archangel Gabriel holding in one hand the Holy crown of St. Stephen ( the first King of Hungary). In the other hand is the two barred apostolic double cross awarded to St Stephen by the Pope for his efforts in converting Hungary to Christianity. Unfortunately my faulty half-opened lens cover stuffed up the photos I took of Gabriel, but I was able to save the others, and I am especially pleased with the Charioteer of War photo. The square leads to a bridge over a boating lake/ skating rink and into the City park, which is also an amazing place. It is home to a large zoo, the largest mineral baths complex (with dozens of pools and saunas) in Europe, and the fabulous Vajdahunyad Castle. It is not a real castle, but it is still a beautiful complex of buildings. It too was built around 1900 as part of the anniversary celebrations, to feature copies of several landmark buildings in Hungary (especially the Hunyad castle in Transylvania). Originally it was made like a film set in cardboard and wood, but it was such a popular attraction that it was rebuilt from stone and bricks and reopened in 1908. The castle contains elements from a variety of time periods so in it you can find a mixture of Romaneque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles. Oh I almost forgot, the gold lettering on the Portcullis gate is advertising the world famous Hungarian Agricultural Museum which is located in one of the castle buildings. I'm sure it is a fascinating place to visit, but unfortunately I ran out of time. In the castle grounds is the statue of a 1200 scribe to one of the Hungarian Kings, who's name was Anonymous . He is a spooky apparition who belongs in a Lord of the Rings Movie, but he has been sitting here since 1908. I felt a little foolish but went ahead anyway and touched the pen held by Anonymous, which I read is supposed to improve your writing skills ( I guess it takes a while). It was starting to warm up a bit, so I turned around and walked back to the station. On the way I passed a gorgeous building which was the Museum of Contemporary Art. The building was stunning, inside and out, but was between exhibitions. I also spotted the cutest little Volkswagen, and took some photos of it for Leone to check out. I'm sure that her grandkids would be happy to help her paint hers to look the same... hehehe....

Heroes' Square