After being rejuvenated by lunch, the group hit the road again. They cross the Danube over the Lánchíd, of the Chain Bridge. The Chain Bridge was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Hungary and it opened in 1849 and at the time was one of the largest in the world. Like all the bridges in Budapest, it was blown up on January 19, 1945, but was rebuilt by 1949.
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| Yes, we saw the Chain Bridge by day and by night! |
There is trivia associated with the lion sculptures at both ends of the bridge. Ask one of the bikers.... they know what's special about the lions.
Once across the bridge, a choice needed to be made - the slow, winding, gently sloping ride up to Castle Hill or the get it over fast, steep ride up the hill. Before an answer could be confirmed, the group was on their way up the short, steep road.
At the top of the hill is the Castle District - the Vár, or Castle, is a museum today. Also up on top of Castel Hill is the President's home - also a white house. The President doesn't hold power in Hungary, though. He is a figurehead. The executive powers lie with the Prime Minister.
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| The White House in the Castle District. Home of the President of Hungary. |
At 2:45 the group headed to the Hospital in the Rock. Really? Wow. It looks just like it did during the war. It was used in WW2 and by the Soviets. Inside it is still set up with the equipment used in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. No pictures allowed. You'll have to go see it for yourself.
Yes, when you think we've seen enough, we haven't yet seen it all. We had 6:00 p.m. tour of the Cave Church (you see the theme: Caving, Hospital in the Rock and Cave Church - all on the Buda side of the Danube). But we got there a bit early, so we climbed up to the top of Gellért Hill. This was no small thing and we worked as a real team to get to the top. There was a fun playground with a super fast slide and in-the-ground trampolines. This was fun. At the top of the hill is the Citadel and the Liberty Statue. The statue still stands after two liberations - first in 1947, the statue commemorated the Soviet liberation of Hungary during WW2, which ended the occupation by Nazi Germany. Then in 1989, the statue remained but the inscription reflected the transition from communism to democracy.
Oh, and yes, there is a St. Gellért and he was put to death by being rolled down the hill named for him in a barrel with nails sticking into it.
It was time to be heading down the hill. The next stop was the Cave Church. Admittedly there is an interesting history to the Church. It is a natural cave and had a hermit living in it who cured people of illness. A group of monks created the Church in 1926. There is a monastery deep in the cave. It was used during WW2 as a hospital and for asylum for people being hunted during the war. The Pauline monks, once driven out of their monastery returned in 1991 and operate the church today.
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| One of many artifacts found inside the church. |
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The Cave Church as seen from the corner of the street
leading to the Liberty Bridge. |
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| Mass is said three times a day in the Church in the Cave. |
This was a seriously long day. At least the ride to the bike shop didn't take long and with dusk (and dark) setting in, side-streets were taken back to Bea's shop. The Maverick Lodge was a welcome site when we turned the corner onto our street.
It was time for dinner (back to Vapiano's) and of course Chimney Cake Cones on the way home. Wednesday was a marathon day!
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