Sitting over on the Buda side of Budapest (as our tour guide told us, the best thing about Pest is the view across the river), Buda Castle is the historical castle and palace complex of the Hungarian Kings. First completed in 1265, the palace that occupies most of the site today was built between 1749 and 1769 and has been severely damaged and rebuilt several times since. It's been rebuilt so many times; it's basically the IKEA version of a royal palace - probably missing a screw somewhere. In fact, the castle has survived wars, fires, and centuries of drama, but the real test is tourists trying to take selfies while standing on cobblestones.
Presently, it houses the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest Historical Museum, and the National Széchényi Library. And at this particular time - a Christmas Market - because, well it's Christmas.
Charley and I rugged up and set off across the famous Chain Link Bridge (one of several) and decided we were not going to pay the exorbitant price to catch the funicular up to the top and that a bit of exercise would do us (and by that, I mean me). With several let's stop and look at the beautiful views (translation, I'm going to fucking die if I keep going) we did finally make it. There was not any doubt that Charley was going to make it (with a dramatic bit of encouragement on my part - "you can do this and take photos for us both.....").
Once up there, we decided that just looking around the outside of the beautiful buildings and taking in the views was enough. We were lucky enough to arrive right in time for the main changing of the guard ceremony - pure chance, our research was woefully lacking. My personal favorite bit was crow man, there feeding the Hooded Crows. These crows are apparently a bit aggressive in spring when the chicks are born and a square in Budapest had to be closed down after several attacks. I'm sure my beautiful crows on the common wouldn't attack me.
Back to the castle. it certainly has that brooding atmosphere of history and memories and none of them are the comforting kind. Walk past a quiet courtyard and you can practically hear the stones whisper, “Oh… another mortal seeking meaning.” The gothic style statues have that expression of beings who’ve witnessed too much tragedy and wish the world would go away.
In stark contrast, the Christmas Markets sent out smells of mulled wine, chimney cakes and all those other Christmas goodies. Job done. Maybe it shouldn't count as we didn't go in, but my list, my rules yada yada yada. The walk down was certainly much easier.
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