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.
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| Lady Liberty |
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| across the street from the Gellért Baths is the entrance to the Cave Church... on the schedule for next visit! |
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| structure in front of Gellért Hotel |
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| 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!
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| entrance to Gellért Thermal Baths |
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| foyer |
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| atrium |
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| beautiful mosiac floor |
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| atrium |
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| 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!
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