A Walk up Gellert Hill in Budapest
Dominating the center of Budapest is Gellert Hill. The eastern face of the hill has cliffs that overlook the Danube. The hill is volcanic in origin and still has several geothermal springs that supply the spas that surround the hill. The first full day I was in Budapest I took a walk up to the top of the hill and back down through the park that surrounds the Citadella that stands on the top of the hill.
Walking out onto the bridge I was able to get some idea of the climb that was ahead. Not too bad and likely to have some great outlooks over the city. The turret in the left of the picture is part of a monastery that maintains the cave church that is carved into the rock at the site of a healing spring.
After climbing a little way up one of the paths, I could look back down on the bridge where I just had been.
Climbing further, I was now able to look down on Pest on the east bank of the Danube. Pest is fairly flat and is prone to flooding from the Danube.
Hmm... still a ways to climb. That statue doesn't seem to be getting any closer. How big is it, anyway?'
If I use the zoom lens on my camera, I can see that there appear to be light poles that look puny next to the statue.
As I continue up one of the many paths, I see a variety of areas that appear to be enticing places for a picnic or party.
Along the paths are streetlights with an unusual shape. I wondered where this shape had come from. Was it due to some natural shape that was prevalent in this area?
I'm still climbing. The bridge looks much smaller now. The green cupolas near the middle of the photo are the top of the the Hotel Gellert where I'm staying. I'm only a couple of blocks away, but it sure seems like I've climbed a lot of stairs. To the right of the next bridge downstream is the building where the SMABS conference is being held.
If I use my zoom lens again, I can see the building quite clearly. It's the one with the sphere on the top.
Still climbing and now the view of Pest is like that from a low flying airplane. The stone work gives a nice sense of solidity since it doesn't look like it has moved in a very long time.
The wildflowers and bushes are in full bloom here in the beginning of July.
No shortage of stairs. These have layers upon layers of repairs. Some of the stones look to be centuries old and some only decades. I just keep climbing. How big was that statue anyway?
Luckily there are rest areas built into the side of the mountain.
More stairs. I'll not need to do any workout at the gym today. The wildflowers are really just beautiful, though.
This is a view looking north along the Danube. The second bridge of which we can see one pillar is called the "Chain Bridge" and on this site was built the first Budapest bridge across the Danube. All the bridges were destroyed when the Germans retreated from the Russians during WW II. Each bridge was reconstructed to match its original character.
Finally made it to the top of the monument. The statue of the woman holding the palm leaf was erected after the German retreat. It is one of the few Communist era monuments that have not been removed to a special "Statue Park".
Here is a full view of the Chain Bridge from the top of Gellert Hill.
Here at the top of the hill, I marvel at the all of the people who are so fit. Walking up all those stairs must keep them that way. Then I realize that there is a back way up and it is a road full of tour busses.
The lady with the palm leaf dominates the size of the Citadella, the fortress at the top of the hill. Lest we forget its military origins, there is an exhibition of artillery.
The view to the north shows the hills of Buda and in the center, the Castle District where the Habsburgs and many others reigned. This area still has the residence of the President of Hungary.
Here is a close up of just the Castle District. You can see that the whole area is surrounded by three concentric rings of castle walls. We'll take a walk around that district another day.
I have had enough of stairs and so decide to take a different path back to the bottom. This winds gently through gardens.
On this Sunday afternoon, there are many others strolling through the park.
It seems to me that these pleasant paths are a reward for my exertion climbing the face of the hill.
Even on Sunday a gardener bends to his task next to a lovely fountain.
The descent is gradual but still affords dramatic views of the Citadella.
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