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Budapest2006-20 :
Holiday in Budapest, Hungary (Jun/06) |
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The interior of Matthias church is richly decorated
with gilded altars, statues, rose windows and
frescoes.
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Budapest2006-21 :
Holiday in Budapest, Hungary (Jun/06) |
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A large crucifix at the main altar of the church.
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Budapest2006-22 :
Holiday in Budapest, Hungary (Jun/06) |
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One of the many beautiful painted windows.
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Budapest2006-23 :
Holiday in Budapest, Hungary (Jun/06) |
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A dragon sculpture decorating one of the towers
of Fishermen's Bastion.
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Budapest2006-24 :
Holiday in Budapest, Hungary (Jun/06) |
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These four(!) scary statues of early Magyar
leaders are found in an arch near the entrance
to the Fishermen's Bastion.
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Budapest2006-25 :
Holiday in Budapest, Hungary (Jun/06) |
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Detailed map of the castle district, including
the main attractions Matthias church, Fishermen's
Bastion and the Royal Castle.
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Budapest2006-26 :
Holiday in Budapest, Hungary (Jun/06) |
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The Royal Palace, which dominates the southern
skyline of the Castle District, shares a similar
history to that of the Mátyás
Templom, namely one of upheaval and reconstruction.
The building that stands today is a mock historic
structure, comprising of original features
from the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
The
first royal residence on Castle Hill is said
to have been constructed by Bela IV after
the Mongol Invasion of 1241. Later, new sections
were added by the Angevin kings before a much
larger Gothic palace was established under
the reign of Sigismund of Luxembourg (1387-1437).
The golden era of the palace complex came
during the reign of King Matthias (1451-90).
The
castle was completed destoyed by the pan-European
Christian army which liberated Buda in 1686.
Work was done to restore it, but it was damaged
again during the 1848-49 War of Independence.
During World War II the building served as
the command post for German occupying forces,
and was destroyed when the Red Army besieged
the Palace.
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Budapest2006-27 :
Holiday in Budapest, Hungary (Jun/06) |
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The Matthias fountain (Matyas kut) is seen on
the left as you are about to enter the last
courtyard of the palace. The fountain pictures
the majestic scene of King Matthias hunting.
He is surrounded by his dogs and retainers,
with Szep Ilona (Beautiful Ilona: a peasant
woman who fell in love with him unaware that
he was the king) gazing up at him. It was sculpted
in 1904 by Alajos Strobl. At the onslaught of
World War II, the statue was disassembled and
parts of it were hidden in people's gardens
for safety.
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Budapest2006-28 :
Holiday in Budapest, Hungary (Jun/06) |
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The present post war reconstruction of the
castle, which includes Baroque and Gothic
elements, now houses the Hungarian National
Gallery, Budapest History Museum and the National
Szechenyi Library.
The
building showing in the photo is the Hungarian
National Gallery (rear view).
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Budapest2006-29 :
Holiday in Budapest, Hungary (Jun/06) |
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This is the gate leading out from the castle
garden.
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