Learning More About Budapest

 

We spent the morning with our local tour guide learning more about Budapest. We were reminded again how Hungary has been situated between powerful countries and has expanded and shrunk in its territories multiple times following various wars. It is very apparent that the city of Budapest is working on development - several times, our guide pointed out places that had suffered damage in World War II that were now finally being developed.

Budapest has many natural hot springs that have been used for bathing over the years. We visited the Szechenyi Baths and Swimming Pools, a large spa complex that was built on the Danube River in 1909. The baths are filled from a very deep spring that is about 165 degrees.

Many people come to this spa to relax as well as for various kinds of therapy. Even though the temperature was about 49 degrees outside, there were lots of people enjoying the warm waters.

We then went up to another area up above the Danube River that is being redeveloped. There were photos that showed the destruction of Budapest during the final part of World War II where the Nazis were holed up and the Soviets were attacking. So much of the city was destroyed.

The views from up top were wonderful.

At lunch, Greg and our friend Dave Larson, sampling Hungarian Beer.

A beautiful plaza outside St. Stephen's Cathedral.

Here is an example of a building that hasn't been redeveloped yet - this was right across from our hotel. It appears just as it did after the destruction of the war.

Our hotel - formerly a bath spa in the Jewish Quarter, was redone and opened about 10 years ago. It was lovely.

 

This is a very moving memorial on the banks of the Danube River. It depicts the marching of hundreds of Jewish people to the edge of the river where they were stripped and then shot to death on the river's edge. I think many of us felt a "sadness" that is a part of Budapest. While the development that is occurring is exciting, it is impossible to not remember all the horrific events that happened in this city during the Nazi era and subsequent Soviet occupation for four decades.

For me, seeing this city brought the current political climate in the US to life even more as it points to how hate and fear can destroy a country. When I asked our local guide how current Hungarians feel about their future, she said "Well, we are a resilient people."

 

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