SPLENDOURS OF EUROPE - Part 10

BUDAPEST   HUNGARY

Budapest on the Danube is the capital city of Hungary. Budapest is Eastern Europe's liveliest and most cosmopolitan city. As all the other cities we saw on this 14 night cruise along the Rhine/Main/Danube Rivers,  Budapest is filled with rich history. One would need more days to take it all in. We were given some glimpses of what it has to offer to ordinary travellers as us. 

Gellért Cave Church

Hungarian Parliament building on the Pest side of Budapest, opened in 1902

The Church of the Assumption of the Buda Castle, commonly named Matthias Church built in 1050

Hungarian State Opera House

(Internet Stock Photo)

Heroes square with the Millenium Monument which was begun in 1895 when the Hungarian Government envisioned a national memorial for the country's heroes. It was planned for the celebration of the Magyar conquest of 895. Hungary was established in the late 9th century. King Stephen I ascended the throne in 1000, converting his realm to a Christian Kingdom.

The Archangel Gabriel towers 36 meters above the monument.

The base of the column is surrounded by seven equestrian statues of ferocious looking warriors

On either side of two colonnades are Corinthian columns dividing fourteen of the most prominent figures in Hungary's history 

St. Stephen's Basilica built between 1851 and 1905 accommodates 8500 people and houses Hungary's most sacred treasure, St Stephen's mummified hand. St Stephen was Hungary's first king.

An ornate wooden door

A tower of the Stock Exchange palace towers over the treetops.

A different view of St Stephen Basilica with statues of important saints. 

On the evening of our last day on this cruise we were entertained on board our Emerald Sky ship with Hungarian folklore featuring dancers and musicians.  Darkness fell and we all went out on deck to enjoy a slow sail back and forth under the main bridges in Budapest lit up and reflecting the majesty of this city.

Such a beautiful, romantic ending to an unforgettable journey

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge spanning the Danube river linking Buda and Pest. 

The House of Parliament 

This river cruise 'Splendours of Europe' was a fantastic, spectacular, amazing overview of some of Europe's wonderful cities.  The history and  architecture all seemed surreal in comparison to our young country of Canada. Monuments and statues alone were overwhelming and yet we only saw a few of Europe's treasures.  It truly was a 'bucket list' vacation for us.