Central Europe 2019

Buda

Headed to Castle Hill and the Royal Palace on the Buda side of the Danube. It was a gorgeous morning, destined to be 80ish with an 87 humidity index. But it made for spectacular views against the kek (blue) sky.

Mátyás-templom (Matthias Church) is an understated beauty. Preferable we think to the gilded glory of so many cathedrals. This is subdued and somehow seems more spiritual because of it. It’s called Matthias after a Renaissance era king, rather than a saint, though it has an official church name as well.

Somehow like a cathedral through a sepia lens.

Adjacent is the Fisherman’s Bastion with sweeping views of Pest and the Danube. You just stand there and soak it in.

A short walk away is the Royal Palace, destroyed many times, used by conquering military’s over the years and notable mostly for its grounds.

Buda didn’t take as long as we’d expected, so we headed to the Vasatcsarnok or Great Market Hall. Three floors of fun shops, though the linens and clothing were definitely representative of traditional Hungarian crafts they seemed manufactured rather than artisan.

We were in search of paprika – available in most any container and type ie spicy, sweet and smokey. Purchases were made!

There are fruit, veg and meat markets here that are definitely for Hungarians. It’s a bustling and fun place! We didn’t choose to dine in the many food stalls – the traditional Hungarian fare seemed too heavy for the hot afternoon.