Wednesday July 24, 2024
Wow. The two full days we spent in Budapest had to be the highlight of our trip. After debarking the Ullur, our guide Agnes, had our bus driver show us around Budapest. Although it appears as one city, it consists of two: Buda and one side of the Danube, and Pest on the other.
One major attraction is the Budapest
Matthias Church and Trinity Square
Because our Hilton hotel is next door to the church and Trinity Square, we centered our visits from the area. Shopping and walking down to get a burger at the Spiler Brewery Biergarten. Certainly had to stop when we saw the sidewalk Gelato wagon.
On our last day in Budapest and with a little help from the Hilton concierge, we got on a local bus to downtown, then transferred to an underground subway to make it to the House of Terror.
House of Terror Museum commemorates two tragic eras in Hungarian history. From 1944 to 1990. Hungary lost its independence and freedom – first by Arrow Cross thugs supported by German Nazis, and then by communists backed by the Soviet Union. They have since recovered both their independence and freedom, and are now free citizens of an independent Hungary.
The building once housed the headquarters of the notorious Nazi and Arrow Cross Party during World War II. After the war, Hungary fell under the Soviet Union, and the building became the base for the equally oppressive communist secret police—the AVH (similar to KGB).
The wall covered with portraits of former detainees serves as a memorial to those who suffered within the building. They were interrogated, tortured and executed those considered an enemy of the state.
Budapest at Night
Budapest by night leader Danny (with beard and lolly pot sign) was full of knowledge and humor. This had to be a highlight of our entire trip…on our last night in Budapest.