THERMAL
BATHS
All over Hungary, there are thermal springs.
Budapest has over 100 thermal springs, gushing from
the earth’s interior. Not only of varying temperatures,
these springs have excellent mineral properties and
have therapeutic value for certain complaints such
as arthritis,
The Hungarians take their baths
seriously and regularly visit one. This practice was
started by the Romans, enhanced by the Turks and continued
on during the Habsburg days
The largest and most popular baths with Budapest
citizens is the Szechenyi Baths in City Park
(see below). It has nine pools, some indoors some
outdoors, and with a range of temperatures.
One of the most famous baths is the Gellert
Baths accessible from the side of the Gellert
Hotel. These baths are maintained at a constant temperature
of 44 degrees. You can also have other services at
these baths such as massage, ultrasound treatments
etc.
There is also the Rudas Baths, originally
built by the Turks in the mid 16th Century as were
the Kiraly Baths. The Baths in the
Hotel on Margaret Island are in a very modern setting.
In most bathhouses you must wear a bathing suit but
bathing suits and towels can be rented out at the
public baths.
CASTLE OF VAJDAHUNYAD AND CITY PARK
City Park is off Heroes’ Square at the top
of Andrassy Street. Nearby to Heroes’ Square
is the Castle of Vajdahunyad. This
strange complex of buildings has a touch of the fairytale
Castle to it. It was specially created for the 1896
Millenary Celebrations. Originally it was intended
as a temporary structure but it was so popular it
was rebuilt in stronger materials.
Each part of the Castle is copied from other famous
and historical Hungarian Castle and Towers.
Make sure to see the Statue of the Anonymous
– who passed on details of the Middle ages –
it is an unusual statue, shrouded in a cloak and hood.
The surrounding area includes the City Park,
Szechenyi Baths with the huge pool at the
back of the Baths – a swimming pool in the summer,
an enormous ice skating rink in the
winter (it is currently under renovation (October
2004) but is expected to reopen for winter 2004).
City Park also houses the Budapest Zoo,
an Amusement Park and the Municipal Circus.
BUDAPEST TOP 10 SIGHTSEEING 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
.
