Budapest Funzine 2023 szeptember

90 ENGLISH SECTION
ENGLISH SECTION 91
Photo: Getty Images Photo: AdobeStock
Discover the Beautiful Area
AROUND THE CHAIN BRIDGE
SHOES ON THE QUAYSIDE
CHAIN BRIDGE
CASTLE HILL FUNICULAR
SZÉCHENYI ISTVÁN SQUARE
BUILT BETWEEN 1839 AND 1849, THE SZÉCHENYI CHAIN BRIDGE IS BUDA-
PEST’S OLDEST AND MOST EMBLEMATIC BRIDGE. THE RECENTLY RENO-
VATED, IMPRESSIVE CAST-IRON STRUCTURE – GUARDED BY FOUR STONE
LIONS – IS WORTH CHECKING OUT WHILE TAKING A STROLL AROUND.
Photo: Shutterstock Photo: Karácsony Gergely Facebook
Ushanka Returns / Photo: Kolodko Art Facebook
HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT
The capital city has a long list of visit-worthy sights
in the area of the Chain Bridge (Lánchíd in Hungarian),
most of which are in close proximity to each
other. You can kick off your self-guided walking tour
on the left side of River Danube, at Kossuth Lajos
Square, where the beautiful House of Parliament is
situated. The building, constructed between 1885
and 1904 in neogothic and eclectic style, is most
famous for giving home to a very important piece of
the Hungarian royal insignia: the Holy Crown. Fun
fact: the façade of the building is decorated with 242
full-body sculptures.
SHOES ON THE QUAYSIDE
After looking around, head to Id. Antall József rakpart
(meaning quayside) where popular contemporary
artist Mihály Kolodko’s tiny sculpture called
“Ushanka Returns” can be found by the eagle-eyed.
The mini statue resembles a Russian fur hat, but
there is a twist: the bronze ushanka has two muscular
frog legs. Find it on one of the stairs close to
the river, in the direction of the pedestrian crossing
and the traffic lights. Then continue your journey
by visiting Budapest’s famous Holocaust memorial,
the Shoes on the Quayside, which honors the Jewish
people massacred in Budapest during World War II.
SZÉCHENYI ISTVÁN SQUARE
Your next stop should be Széchenyi István Square.
To reach your destination, go straight ahead in the
direction of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
Stop by the photo-worthy building for a few minutes
and have a good look at it, because it has some not
so hidden gems on its façade. For instance, one can
spot the figure of Galileo Galilei, Newton, Raffaello
and Descartes, among others. You won’t regret visiting
Széchenyi István Square, which is just a stone’s
throw away, because despite its central location, it
gives home to the oldest acacia tree of Budapest,
planted in 1789.
WALK ACROSS THE CHAIN BRIDGE
When in Budapest, crossing (at least) one of its
thirteen bridges is a must. Join the likes of Jason
Derulo, Rammstein frontman Till Lindemann, and
Will Smith who enthusiastically posted photos of
themselves standing on the Chain Bridge in the
past – the latter actually climbed it, too – and snap
your own pictures with the beautiful scenery in the
background. While walking towards Buda, take a
moment to admire the unrivalled view: easy-to-spot
Buda Castle, Mátyás Church and the Fisherman’s
Bastion are only the tip of the iceberg.
Photo: László Balkányi
DINE WITH A VIEW
To immerse yourself in the very rich history
and culture of Budapest in style, take
a meal break at one of the nearby restaurants
of the Danube Promenade. ARZ
Lebanese Restaurant and Corso Bar &
Terrace both invite passersby to their
beautiful panorama terraces where
not only is the view stunning (especially
when the sun goes down) but also every
bite creates a stunning festival of flavors
in the mouth. Take your taste buds on a
delightful journey before crossing the
Chain Bridge, or on your way back. Whether
you choose a flavorful cocktail or a
mind-blowing Lebanese meze, the painting-like
backdrop will make your experience
an unforgettable one.
9 ig/intercontinental_budapest
CASTLE HILL FUNICULAR
Upon arriving at the Buda side, you will find yourself
at Clark Adam Square. A 350-meter tunnel, inaugurated
in 1857, a 3 metres tall limestone sculpture
which represents kilometre 0, the over 150-year old
Castle Hill Funicular (it is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site), and close-by Lánchíd Park are all part of the
famous Buda vista. For an unforgettable view, go
to Sikló utca and find the stone stairs leading up to
the funicular. Then conclude your walking tour in a
remarkable way, visit the splendid neo-Renaissance
architectural complex, Buda Castle Garden Bazaar.