Buda and Pest - Budapest

Budapest was once two cites on either side of the Danube but they were united 150 years ago. The Buda side has 7 hills and older, smaller buildings and homes.  It is also where the university is located beside the massive fortress walls and cathedrals of the cultural area looming over it.  This is the school where the Rubix cube was invented.

There are 8 bridges connecting the two halves of the city.  The green bridge is called the Liberty Bridge, the white bridge is the Elizabeth bridge and the oldest bridge is guarded by concrete lions. 

We entered the cultural district through the Vienna Gate.  Our first site was the Coronation Church aka St. Mathias.  The Holy Trinity Statue in the center of the square is 250 years old.  We climbed the Fisherman’s Bastion for views of the Pest side of the city and the massive Parliament Building which is just slightly smaller that the Pentagon.

We left the tour group and walked back to the ship in 98° temps, cooled off and then went back out to explore a bit of Pest on our own. 

The ship pulled out of port late enough that we were able to see the city all lite up.  Beautiful sight!