The Var and central Buda

We crossed the bridge to get to the Var (Castle Hill) in Buda, a 1500m plateau with bastions, mansions and a huge palace which dominates the area, making this stretch of the river one of the grandest, loveliest urban waterfronts in Europe.

Looking across, we could see Parliament on the Pest side

Once we arrived at the Royal Palace, the bridge looked spectacular

 



 

 

 

one more view

 



 

 

 

We were intrigued by these figures in front of the palace

 

 

 

We left the Royal Palace and started wandering the streets, liking this fountain

 

Matyas Church

 



 

 

 

Fishermen's Bastion, an undulating white rampart of cloisters and stairways with seven tent-like turrets, designed by Schulek as a foil to the Matyas Church.

 



 

 

 

 

The views are fantastic

 



 

 

you can see Pest and Parliament on the left

The Royal Palace and Matyas Church were full of tourists, mainly groups, too many, so we moved on to the quieter streets where the architecture did not disappoint

 

It's very different from Pest, but very pleasing. One of the most notable differences is that the buildings are quite low - most of them are 2 or 3-storey

 



 

 

 

grand doorways abound

 



 

 

in different styles

 

The buildings are painted in different colours

 



 

 

 

and behind the mostly closed heavy doors, are courtyards to be found. This one was open so I ventured in

 



 

 

this garden was gorgeous

 

The building was being renovated and one of the workmen invited me inside one of the dwellings - the entrance is grand indeed, as is the stairway

 



 

 

 

After the cacophony of the tours and their guides, wandering around the quiet streets was bliss

and we really enjoyed looking at the various buildings

each house has its own particular detail

I was particularly intrigued by the first-floor windows of this building - they are bay windows, but only the glass

you can see what I mean here

 

I particularly liked this, the Mary Magdalene Tower

 

 

 



which is situated in this small square of ruins

We then walked to the edge of the hill which afforded great views of the Buda hills

some of the buildings are very ornate

 

 

We were able to walk in here and have a look at the courtyard

 

 

the floor, those white glass double doors, the vaulted ceiling....

 

 

 

the courtyard is surrounded by dwellings - I particularly liked the round tower

and thought this door was cute

 

 

 

Ornate, yet simple

most of the architecture in Buda of similar style, but each house very different

 

I loved the post boxes and their pedestals

nice bay window in the corner

an unusual balcony

Most houses in Buda had these windows on the roofs - are they windows, or just ventilation outlets? I do not know