Budapest – Exploring the Castle District

1) Fisherman’s Bastion – 1014 Budapest, Szentháromság tér 5, Hungary

Eventually I managed to stumble my way to Fisherman’s Bastion, and despite it’s name it’s actually a look-out terrace. It has 7 turrets, one for each of the Hungarian tribes. The design was inspired by the Far East and there are 2 explanations about the origin of it’s name; some say during the MiddleAges there was a fish market near by, and others say that the Guild of Fishermen defended this part of the wall.

I think I’d go with the latter ;]

Not a bad place to guard I’d say ;]

2) Fisherman’s Bastion Restaurant – 1014 Budapest, Szentháromság tér 5, Hungary.

After parading around and pretending to be a Hungarian guard all day, it was time to sit down for a true Hungarian meal.

The Hungarian cuisine is primarily based on meat/fish stews and soups, and one of my favourite national dishes was goulash.

Plus I really liked saying the word gooou-laaash. Say it with me ;]

It is a stew made typically with beef, tomatoes, garlic, ball peppers, carrots, diced potatoes and is seasoned with paprika.

It was sooo good, especially given it was -3 degrees outside and it was the only thing I wanted to eat during my time here.

I did mention that every cafe/restaurant you visit –  MUST be finished off with a hot chocolate right?

You’d think the prices would be sky high given that this restaurant was located IN the bastion itself, but it really wasn’t – a large bowl of soup was only 5Euros; and the best part was that you could gaze out the windows to the beautiful panoramic views of Budapest.

The evening is when Budapest really comes alive.

4) The Royal Palace/Buda Castle  1014 Budapest, Szent György tér 2, Hungary

I love old architecture, so let’s have a wee history lesson.

The original Royal Palace was destroyed, and since then has been rebuilt multiple times.

King Bela IV initially started building the palace in the 13th century after the Mongol invasion, and so the original Goth Palace was built and had expanded for 300 years.

Unfortunately in 1683 the palace was totally destroyed when the Habsburg army liberated Buda from Turkish occupation.

The Habsburgs then built a brand spanking new, smaller Baroque palace at the beginning of the 18th century. Which was then damaged again in the 1848-49 War of Independence.

Following it’s reconstruction it almost doubled in length by the end of the 19th century making it 304m long.

In 1945 it was also used as the last defence of the German troops in Budapest during the Budapest Siege.

Post war reconstruction revealed Gothic and Renaissance foundations have been incorporated into the building, and explains why the palace is a mix of architectures.

Today, the Royal Palace holds The Budapest History Museum, The Hungarian National Gallery and The National Szechenyi Library.

I came here during the evening when everything was closed.

It was deserted, but this just added to it how enchanting it was.

Come take a stroll with me.

Imagine if THIS was your back yard.