Photo Frame: Budapest Day 2 Part 2

1. Chain Bridge.

It was the first permanent stone-bridge connecting Pest and Buda (that's where you get Budapest) and only the second permanent crossing on the whole length of the river Danube. Undoubtedly, it is one of Budapest's most famous landmarks.

There are carved stone lions at both abutments.

2. St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika) Budapest

Upon entrance, I was rather intrigued with the rosary sold at the shop but was pushed back since I don't use it at all. It'll make a nice accessory won't it?

The Roman Catholic basilica is named in honour of Stephen, the first king of Hungary, whose mummified incorruptible fist ("Holy right") is housed in the reliquary. If it had impressed me from the outside, the inside was breathtaking. The grand domed interior, ornate stained glass windows and acres of fine gold inlay with exquisite detailed reliefs, and gracious mathematically perfect curves design dazzles every beholder and what more can you ask for, there's no entrance fees!

Muahx!

Posing before entering =)

The main large hallway

Up the ceiling

Jesus Christ

'For God so love the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life'. John 3:16

The one and only bible verse I can recite well after reading it once when I was 9 years old.

Painted glass wall

(Didn't manage to take the picture of the holiest relic - the right hand of King Stephen since we have to pay for it) =(

3. Budapest Opera House

The photo speaks for itself, we just merely passed by and took snapshots of it.

4. Heroes' Square (Hősök Tere)

Situated at the entrance to City Park, this square stands in honor and memory of the great leaders in Hungary’s history, also a world heritage site.

The Centerpiece high corinthian column, Millennial Column is topped with a statue of the Archangel Gabriel, meant to be a symbol of the Roman Catholic Church. It commemorates the 1000th anniversary of the Magyar conquest.

In front of the column is the Monument of National Heroes, also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, a tribute to Hungary’s nameless heroes of war.

Inside the niches of the two semi-circles that make up the monument, there are statues of famous men of Hungarian history, including Kings, governers, etc. Atop the semi-circles are the symbols of War and Peace, Work and Welfare, and Knowledge and Glory.

The museum of Fine arts and Art Gallery are on the sides of the square and should you be an artistic person, it's worth a visit.

5. City Park, Vajdahunyad Castle

We then walked down passed Budapest's most popular park the City Park (Városliget) stretches behind Heroes' Square. From there, you can see the parks most spectacular architecture, Vajdahunyad Castle from the square. The rather bizarre Vajdahunyad Castle is originally built of cardboard and wood in honor of the millennium. The structure was rebuilt in a variety of architectural styles ranging from Romanesque to Gothic, intended to represent each century since the arrival of the Magyars. Later on, it was rebuilt in brick.

I felt like I was in fairyland..A river surrounding the castle..

So Disney Pixar type

Throughout the park, various sculptures can be seen. The only sculpture I took with was the statue of an anonymous monk where myths said that touching the monk's stylus is supposed to bring good luck with your studies. I did!

And then it was this small fountain with mermaids :)

6. Szechenyi Bath (Szechenyi furdo)

The Szechenyi Bath and Spa was the first one of its kind on the Pest side. It was silly that we couldn't find the bath at first since we didn't know what 'furdo' was and we kept walking down just to realized the bath entrance is at the back of the building. We vowed to come back and we definitely did! Stay tuned!