Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Stockholm's little home-grown St. Patrick's parade (actually held on Sunday afternoon).

Irish wolfhounds

Irish sheep dog?! 

Budapest - Chain Bridge and Shoes on the Danube - 4 of 6

The Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd) was the first bridge to span the Danube river connecting Buda and Pest in 1849.  As the name suggests it is a chain suspension bridge designed by Englishman, William Tierney Clark, an engineering feat at the time it was built.  During World War II the Chain Bridge was almost completely destroyed except for the lions on the Pest side of the bridge. 

the Chain Bridge

Buda Castle

Chain Bridge and Matthias Church in the background

There are wonderful sculptures all along the Danube riverfront....  Thank you Anna-Maria for having photos of all these statues on Instagram so I can easily identify them! 

Girl with her dog by David Raffai - on the street called Duna Corso at Vigadó Square

Kiskirálylány (Little Princess) by László Marton Munkácsy - the artist was inspired by his daughter who played princess with her bathrobe and a newspaper crown.  A copy of this statue is also in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space. 

bronze statue of Hungarian artists, Ignác Roskovics, painting the Széchenyi Chain Bridge

our pack of photographers

Located on the Pest side of the riverfront, between the Chain Bridge and parliament, is the sculptural installation Shoes on the Danube Bank, a memorial to Jews who were killed by Arrow Cross militiamen in Budapest during World War II.  On the riverbank victims were ordered to take off their shoes, shot so that their bodies fell into the water and were carried away.  The sculptor,  Gyula Pauer, created sixty pairs of iron shoes styled from the 40's era.  Many people visit this powerful memorial, leaving stones, notes, ribbons, flowers, candles, etc. in the shoes.

During WWII Raoul Wallenberg, a man from a wealthy Swedish family, became a Swedish diplomat to Hungary and was instrumental in saving many Jews in Budapest by basically creating documents that were 'Swedish passports' and handing them out to Jews.  As 'Swedish citizens' Raoul Wallenberg was able to protect tens of thousands of people.  It is well worth the time to read the the incredible story about Raoul Wallenberg in this great article by the BBC. 

A couple random Budapest photos...

soaking up sun Swedish style!

February 5-8, 2015

City Market
Gellért Baths
Gundel
Wine bar

Budapest - Gellért Baths/Liberty Bridge - 3 of 6

After visiting Central Market Hall we headed across the Liberty Bridge to Buda and the famous Gellért Thermal Baths.  It's definitely worth a visit to experience one of the many thermal baths that Hungary is famous for. 

Liberty Bridge, built in the 1890's, looks like a chain bridge but is not (an important distinction because the Chain Bridge is another famous Budapest landmark) and connects Buda and Pest over the Danube river.

The Hungarian Statue of Liberty/Lady Liberty or Liberty Statue can be seen prominently from it's position on top of Gellért Hill.  The Statue of Liberty (1947) commemorates those who sacrificed their lives for Hungary and stands in remembrance of the Soviet liberation of Hungary from occupation by Nazi Germany during World War II. 

Lady Liberty

across the street from the Gellért Baths is the entrance to the Cave Church... on the schedule for next visit!

structure in front of Gellért Hotel

Gellért Hotel

Built from 1912-1918 in the Art Nouveau style the Gellért Baths' water comes from Gellért hill's mineral hot springs.  The calcium, magnesium, hydrocarbonate, alkalis, chloride, sulfate and flouride in the mineral water aids healing of various joint, spine and circulatory ailments.

Basic entry into the baths includes the main swimming pool (bathing cap required), four thermal pools 35-40C/95-104F, two immersion pools (19C/66F and 11C/52F), sauna/steam room. Spa treatments (massages, pedicures, etc.) can be booked in addition.

The interior of the baths are beautifully decorated with tiles and work from the same Zsolnay manufacturer in Pécs, Hungary.  Sorry, couldn't take photos while in the baths!

We brought our flip flops and rented robes and towels.  Small changing rooms and lockers rent for about $1.50 each.  Prior to 2013 the men's and women's thermal pools were separate, now co-ed, the interior of the baths is a bit of a maze.  Once we found our way we spent two hours soaking in various pools, 40C was a bit too hot, 35C was just right.  The 19C immersion pool was cold but nothing like the 11C pool that made arms and legs go numb almost immediately!  Ten seconds was the record immersion time for that pool!

entrance to Gellért Thermal Baths

foyer

atrium

beautiful mosiac floor

atrium

atrium

A small shop sells flip flops, swim caps, robes and towels in case you forgot yours or are looking for a souvenir.  A small cafe perked us since our langós from Central Market had worn off.  In short, a day at the spa in Budapest could only set you back about $100 U.S. and that's including entry, a spa treatment and lunch!