George Ezra wrote his song Budapest despite not having actually been there. He was touring Europe and it was on his list of places to visit but he got a little hung over and missed his train. The video below was when George actually made it to Budapest.
The British have had a big influence on Hungary in its past. In the early 1800s, István Széchenyi, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest Hungarians of all time travelled to the UK. Based on his travels he gained a passion for improvement the transport infrastructure in Hungary. His initial focus was on improving the navigation along the Danube and the Tisza. Today most of us with see his legacy in the form of the Széchenyi Bridge or as it locally known the Chain Bridge (Lanc Hid). It was opened in 1849 and was the first permanent crossing of the Danube in Hungary. At the time is was seen as one of the wonder of the modern world. It is currently undergoing rennovation.
In the forground you can see the Clark Adam Square, named after the Scottish engineer who was responsible for overseeing the construction of the bridge. The bridge itself was designed by an Englishman, William Tierney Clark. He also designed the first bridge to cross the Thames in London, Hammersmith Bridge and the bridge at Marlow which is an almost identical prototype for the Széchenyi Bridge.
Around the city there are other connection with the UK. The very grand Keleti Station, so called because is was the most eastern of the main termini in the city, although it is the departure point today for train to Western Europe.
Built between 1881 and 1884 the main facade features statutes of George Stephenson on the left and James Watt on the right.
Inspired by the first underground in the world, Budapest was the first city outside of the UK to have an underground railway. Known as the “a kisföldalatti” or the little underground. It was opened in 1896 to take the residents of Budapest to Heroes Square and the City Park so that they could visit the Millenium Monument which celebrated 1000 years of the foundation of the Hungarian State.
Some visitors to Budapest can see links between the UK’s Houses of Parliament and the Hungarian Houses of Parliament situated on the banks of the Danbue. The connection and with the parliamentary buildings is that they have both been designed in the Gothic Style. London – early Gothic revival, whilst Budapest is of late Gothic revival style. Both buildings where chosen as the result of competitions.
Last September (2021), Prince Charles adressed a reception held in the Hungarian embassy in London to celebrate, 100 years of diplomatic ties between the UK and Hungary. The UK is the home to the largest group of Hungarian born community outside of the Carpathian Basin. The late Prince Phillip had visited Hungary three times to take part in equestrian events and the Queen herself visited in 1993. You too can visit this wonderful city anytime of the year and connected with last week’s blog why not include a trip to the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Maggie can give you advice on flights, hotels, transfers and everything required to make your trip to Budapest.
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