As our apartment was so close to the city centre, and we had a travel pass allowing unlimited travel on the excellent public transport system, we came and went from the apartment frequently. Even with our light load of bags, the cold European weather meant that we were walking heavy under coats and boots, and needed a little lie down from time to time.
After a little nana nap in the afternoon, we set off again to the caste district across the river, arriving as the sun was setting. We walked around the old medieval buildings, many reconstructed many times as the result of damage from many wars. Turks and Austrians fought back and forth through Hungary for centuries, with Buda and Pest changing hands over and over, with much damage being inflicted on these buildings. In a 50 day siege of the city near the end of World War II, 38,000 citizens died of starvation and 80% of the city buildings were ruined.
After being rebuilt, much of the castle district retains the ancient feel, but modern buildings like the Hilton Hotel. The crane over the castle district is being used in the reconstruction of the Honvéd High Command building. When occupied by the soviets after WW2, the building was in ruins, and rather than being rebuilt, it was demolished down to the first floor. It is now being rebuilt to the 18th century style.
The Mátyás-templom standing in the square inside the Fisherman’s Bastion has been here for over 1000 years. After being destroyed by Mongols, this building was constructed in the 13th century, although it too suffered damage through the centuries of war that have troubled Hungary. Today it is a catholic church, but it has been used as a mosque during the period of the Ottoman Empire.
The Halászbástya, known as the Fisherman’s Bastion, is built on the foundations of ancient city walls that once protected the imperial castle and the neighbouring settlement. It’s a modern construction, built in the 20th century, and destroyed during WW2 and rebuilt again. It is today a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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