Another busy day. It started with an early morning visit to the Hungarian Parliament building for a brief visit outside for tours. Then we took the bus to visit the Heroes’ Square. A neat large open area with several monuments depicting the great early Hungarian kings and leaders. On top of a tall central column stands Archangel Gabriel holding the Hungarian Crown, and a double cross.
Next we followed it up with a visit to the Hungarian National History museum, a great place full of tons of fascinating relics from ancient prehistoric times, up through Cold War era and beyond, but focusing primarily from the early founding around 1000AD, to the 1800’s.
That was followed up with a return trip to the Országház, the offical Hungarian Parliament building, a massive and impososing iconic landmark, right on the Danube river. It was built in the laste 1800’s to early 1900’s, designed entirely by Hungarians, built entirely by Hungarians, using materials entirely from Hungary. It houses the Hungarian Crown, which crowned hungarian kings for hundreds of years, along with a scepter and sword. Fear of loss, destruction, or theft, during World War 2, the crown jewels were removed from Hungary, and sent for safe-keeping, in Fort Knox, TN, USA. They were finally formally returned in 1978 on orders from President Jimmy Carter.
Finally after that and some rest, we returned back to St. Stephen’s Basilica to view the inside, which is stunning and gorgeous. One side of the church houses a sacred Hungarian relic – the severed hand of St. Stephen himself, the founder of Hungary, kept in a small case which can be viewed by anyone. Image below!
Upon completion of our landly goals, we made for the docks to board our ship, the AmaLea, which is all decorated and ready for Christmas!
Heroes’ SquareSt. Gabriel holding the crown and double cross up on top! It was soooooooo cold here!The seven chieftains of the Magyar.the figures on top represent things such as Labor, wealth, war, peace, knowledge and glory.A statue of The Gipper, with the parliament in the background. A few meters away is also a statue of George H.W. Bush.Inside stairwell of the History Museum.An awesome suit of armor.The detail in the metal work is incredible.Weapons!The old Supreme Court Justice Building.Statue just outside parliament.Outside the parliament!The stairs inside the Parliament up to the 4th floor.The grand entry way from the main front entrance. Very few people are allowed to come in through this way, including the assembly members.The ceiling.The crown jewels. Photos were not allowed nearby. It was patrolled by two guardsmen with swords at all times. We also witnessed a changing of the guard ceremny when we were there. You can do a search for images of the crown. The cross on top is bent, and no historians quite know the reason why. It was suspected an accident of shutting the lid down too hard on a box it was in, a long, long, looonngg time ago.Another hall, with loads of figures representing the many varied professions of early and medieval Hungarians.The actual Hungarian parliament chamber itself. Neat!While no longer permitted, smoking used to be very common inside, and these were holders ALL OVER the place, against almost every windowsill, from which assembly members would leave their cigars.A large cutout model of the structure. The assembly chamber can be seen near the center of the image with all the brown seats.Return to St. Istvan’s Church (Szent István) and market.The hand is in the glass case on the right.Eww! A thousand year old mummified hand.Up in the dome.Front altar.Christ.Our ship, the AmaLea!All decorated so wonderfully!Right in the lobby!
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