Ange, Tour guide - Budapest

The Tatars (Mongols) invaded Hungary in 1241 and unexpectedly redrew a few months later. Though there is little trace of their passage, not even the infamous steak as popular culture has you believe, a country in devastation was left behind. Bela IV, king of Hungary, and “second founder of the state” can be credited with the development of what is now the Castle district of Buda, among many accomplishments. Photo: best Tartar steak of the city - as mentioned ironically absolutely nothing to do with the Mongols - at Cintanyeros. 🇭🇺

Just two blocks from the Dohány Street Synagogue complex stands the Kazinczy Street Synagogue, a master piece of late Art Nouveau architecture, erected at the beginning of the 20th century for the Orthodox jewish community. The idea to finance its building was born after the Great Schism of 1869-1871, when the Neolog and Orthodox branches split. Its charm resides in a mix of heavy ornemented areas and brick surfaces, ironic consequence of a lack of foundings once the facade was almost completed. The magnificent building was so heavily damaged during the Second World War that it barely stood and could only operate partially until its renotation in 1997, and it can now be visited.
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Detail of a wall of the medieval Füzér castle ❤️

Hungarian-born Marton Munkácsi was one of the very first photojournalists and was considered, at the beginning of the 20th century a pioneer of fashion photography. His carrier took off in Budapest following a scandal during a football game, during which an altercation between supporters left one man down. Munkácsi captured the fight and the man wrongly accused of the crime could be exonerated thanks to his reporting.
Later in his life he settled in New York and became the best, if not the first, fashion photographer. Though his name does not ring a bell for most people, he hugely influenced the craft, and his work is often ripped off for high-end fashion campaigns.
If you have a chance to see some of his works, do not hesitate. Munkacsi’s photography is delicate, modern, not to mention technically perfect.
Photos sourc: https://maimanohaz.blog.hu/

Built at the turn of the 20th century, the Romanesque hall of the Fine Arts Museum is one of the most stunning halls I got the chance to see. Due to the damage inflicted during the 1944-45 Budapest siege, it was used to store plaster casts until its renovation a few years ago.

“The murals include depictions of the great figures of Hungarian history. The walls of the main nave are decorated with the coats of arms of the Hungarian state, partner states and provinces. The hall’s compellingly rich ornamentation also contains symbolic depictions, tree of life motifs and peacocks symbolizing immortality, while the triumphal arches are adorned with zodiac signs. The griffon and dragon figures on the ceiling of the ambulatory bear the influence of German medieval murals and panel painting. The interior with an overall sacred character represents the pinnacle of decorative painting at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.”

Though Budapest museums can not compare with the ones of Saint Petersburg, Venice, Vienna, Paris, etc., this is truly remarkable and is absolutely worth a pick.

Source of mural description and second photo: https://www.szepmuveszeti.hu/

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Hungary offers hundreds of kilometers for hike/ trail enthusiasts, many of them in Budapest.
Some of them busy, some of them fairly isolated…

A quiet day next to the Opera… ♥️
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Matyas temple gate… ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

A very Happy New Year, or as we say in Hungary BÚÉK (Boldog Új Évet).
Let’s start it with a clap!
*Not too loud, hangover(s) obliged.*
👏😵‍💫💋💋💋🎉🎉🎉🎊🎊🎊🍾

Some of the best moments of my job are when culture and entertainment are mixed. In some other words: history and WINE 🍷 .

Maker’s market at the Fény Street Market hall… ❤️

One of my favorite Hungarian architects is Lajta Bela.
Not just because I love his work for what it is, brillant, but also because he was a pioneer, an artist without concession.
Though he passed in 1920, his work was the precursor of Modern and even Brutalist architecture.
Please have a look at the Új Színház (New theater), erected in 1909 in Art Decorative style, a decade before the short trend became a movement.
Stroll in the little streets of the city and you might find some of his works.
They are shining out...

♥️budapest

Almost too hot to be in the city. Almost. 🌺

♥️budapest

Extreme exemple of gentrification of the 8th district of Budapest. Let’s hope it won’t infuriate the vast population of pigeons. 😉🦆


♥️budapest

It is kinda cold (colder than what it should) so today I went for a Szegedi fisherman’s soup . It’s just an excuse because though I do not always like eating fish in Hungary, country without a sea access since 1920 (😭🤬😡😡), I am a HUGE enthusiast of this hearty soup, specialty of the South of Hungary. Best place to have it:
https://www.sotarto-halaszcsarda.hu/ but if you are not willing to drive the 200km, Új Sipos Halászkert in the historical district of Óbuda, is a great place both for its location and its soup.
♥️budapest

A nice program idea for this week end:

Charity event at Durer Kert, by the Danube banks, with concerts and various variety of meals directly provided by non-governmental organizations. For visitor, it is a great way to have an imersive experience in the cult Dürer Kert, „Dürer garden” as it is an outdoor place.

https://www.durerkert.com/events/bbm_charity_2023

♥️budapest

Shortly after having moved into the city, as I was obsessively exploring its smallest corners, I ended up wandering in this marvelous neighborhood that is Terézváros.
Here are a few of the wonders that make me loooooooove Budapest.

Epreskert and its cemetery of sculptures.
You might know by now, I mention it often enough, my father was an artist and so is my hubby so I love to be around art, around artists and ateliers. I love the smell of paint, I love the sound of carving and I love to see all the stages of an Art Piece being made (well... most of the time, wink wink).
In the 6th district you may pass a garden, that use to be in the XIXth century an artists colony, and now belongs to the Fine Art School of Budapest. Not unpleasant either, the beautiful Art Nouveau former residency of M. Sonnenberg, designed by M. Kőrössy.
Past, present, and future, are colliding in this remarkable place. Highly recommended for a visit!
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♥️budapest

Shortly after having moved into the city, as I was obsessively exploring its smallest corners, I ended up wandering in this marvelous neighborhood that is Terézváros.
Here are a few of the wonders that make me loooooooove Budapest.

Epreskert and its cemetery of sculptures.
You might know by now, I mention it often enough, my father was an artist and so is my hubby so I love to be around art, around artists and ateliers. I love the smell of paint, I love the sound of carving and I love to see all the stages of an Art Piece being made (well... most of the time, wink wink).
In the 6th district you may pass a garden, that use to be in the XIXth century an artists colony, and now belongs to the Fine Art School of Budapest. Not unpleasant either, the beautiful Art Nouveau former residency of M. Sonnenberg, designed by M. Kőrössy.
Past, present, and future, are colliding in this remarkable place. Highly recommended for a visit!
Post 1/2

♥️budapest

https://hungarytoday.hu/rihanna-wears-gloves-made-in-hungary-at-super-bowl/

Rihanna Wears Gloves Made in Hungary at Super Bowl Several variations were made for the world famous singer, but in the end, a fiery red glove made of soft lambskin was the winner.

Of course, busy time means no post (at least for me.-).
Just taking a few minutes to post pic of a rare selfie with lovely group (every tour I’m like… I should take photos but my focus is never there). And of course, I had to remove myself because the sun was in my face and let’s face it, I am not 20 anymore and can hardly laught at myself looking repulsive (on photos). Anyway… Thanks to all the guests of 2022 (still a few to come though). I only had wonderfull experiences and hope they did too. Second photo, with amazing cousin Gregoire, coming from Paris and making deeper discovery of his grand-mother’s birth country, and his own heritage.

♥️budapest