THE
CITADELLA
The Citadella - The Citadella is
an impressive fortress built originally in the mid
19th Century by the Habsburgs, It is opposite the
lovely Erzsebet Bridge and you can
climb up the steps from there.
THE FREEDOM MONUMENT
At one end of the Citadella in Budapest, on Buda
Hill, The Freedom Monument can be
seen from all over the city. It is a statue of a lady
with a palm on a very tall plinth representing peace
and is illuminated at night when it stands out like
a beacon.
Have a look at it because it charts a bit of history.
Originally it was erected by the Communists as a tribute
to the Soviet Soldiers who died liberating Hungary
from the occupying Nazi Army (as the Liberation Monument).
Hungarians thought it should acknowledge the Hungarian
people’s role in the struggle and eventually
the inscription was changed to reflect this (and you
can actually see where the Cyrillic lettering has
been removed from the plinth) and the name was changed
from The Liberation Monument to The Freedom
Monument.
From The Freedom Monument, there are magnificent
views of all of Budapest and the wide, wide
River Danube. This view is especially impressive after
dark with the lights of Budapest stretching into the
darkness.
BUDAPEST TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS –
The sights below are “must do’s”
on any visit to Budapest. After you’ve been,
you’ll have your own list. Budapest has a wide
range of important sightseeing options
but many people go without a pre-prepared list of
what they want to see – this is wise because
around every corner in Budapest is something likely
to appeal to someone. Another point about sightseeing
in Budapest is that many people don’t have a
mental picture of the magnificent buildings
such as the Budapest Parliament Buildings, the Royal
Palace in Budapest, etc – despite the fact they
are stunning.
1. Spend some time on Castle
Hill, Buda Castle, Royal Palace, Obuda
2. Go to the Budapest
Citadella and The Freedom Monument
3. Walk up Andrassy
Street to Heroes Square
4. Grab a bit of Culture
in Budapest – Opera,
Concert, Folk Music, etc
5. Look at the wide Danube
River and cross over the Chain Bridge
6. Take a trip to somewhere outside
Budapest – Danube Bend, Visegrad,
Esztergom, Cruise on the Danube, Szentendre (St Andrew)
etc
7. Soothe your aches in a Thermal
Bath, visit Vajdahunyad Castle and
City Park (Varosliget)
8. Go on a trip to Statue’s
Park
9. Visit some Churches,
the Great Jewish Synagogue, St Stephen’s
Basilica, St Matthias Church
10. Admire the Houses
of Parliament but make sure to take a
tour of the
interior
