Bridge to Bridge in Budapest

Bridge to Bridge in Budapest

It’s not what I wanted to do

The sign on my corner. All photos are mine.

There’s even a sign on my corner pointing to the Chain Bridge. What kind of a nincompoop can’t follow a sign? I won’t answer that question but you can guess who. I must have still been affected by my illness. I am weak and dizzy but thought I could manage a stroll down to the Danube and the Chain Bridge. I don’t need maps! I’m off – it’s just straight down the road to the river.

I had no idea I was going the wrong way. Even when I stopped at Budapest- Nyugati Railway Station to have a fruit slice and an iced coffee, I didn’t think I’d gone the wrong way.

When I reached the Danube, and it was the Margrit Hid in front of me, not the Chain Bridge, I still didn’t think I’d walked the wrong way. I think this proves I was still suffering the after-effects of being sick.

I checked my phone to see how far I’d walked. Over 2.2 km. I decided I’d walk along the river. I didn’t take account of the wind. I fought it the whole way past Parliament House and the sad shoes until I reached the Chain Bridge.

I’d walked over 5 km and I could walk no further so I called a Bolt. It wasn’t until we drove past the ABC Roni that I realised the sign was pointing down the street opposite Andrassy not adjacent to it.

It was only 600 metres from my hostel to the Chain Bridge!

That Bolt driver must think I’m dreadfully lazy! Anyway, I had a lovely stroll and saw things I hadn’t seen on previous trips. I’ve never walked past Parliament House before. I’ve only seen it from the river.

Let me share some photos.

St Stephen’s Basilica

Captain Cook Pub, a wet street, an apartment building with bay windows.

Nyugati Railway Station,

A florist, the end of the (tram) line, and the statue of Imre Nagy statue who was hanged in 1958 for his part in the 1956 uprising against Hungary’s Soviet oppressors.

The Margit Híd and the bridge with the floral tributes to the South Koreans who died in 2019.

A memorial to the 27 victims of the “Mermaid” tragedy, The smaller boat was hit by one of those Viking cruiseships. The Cruiseship didn’t even feel the bump. The “Mermaid” sank in 7 seconds.

Margaret Bridge links Buda and Pest and Margaret Island to both banks.

Hungarian Parliament House finished in 1902 and the largest building in Hungary.

The Memorial to the Jews who were taken to the banks of the Danube, told to take off their shoes, and shot so their bodies fell into the river and were carried away by the strong currents. The perpetrators of this massacre were Hungarian militia… not the Nazis. The hundred pairs of shoes represent thousands who were murdered this way.

My sombre mood is lightened by the thought of simply walking away with one of these suitcases lined up for a cruise on the Danube. Each cabin has its own verandah and the cruise ship is so long it looks too long to turn around in the river! Am I jealous? I would never spend my own money to cruise the Danube but if I won it, that would be a different kettle of fish.

The Chain Bridge at last, looking over to Buda and the Fishermen’s Bastion and St Matthias Church.

The Chain Bridge aka Széchenyi Lanczhíd

Did you enjoy your virtual stroll with me? Sorry I took you the long way!

On the map, I walked three sides of the rough rectangle, all I needed to walk was the bottom side of the rectangle.