Vajdahunyad vára and Hősök tere

In 1896, the city of Budapest dressed itself up and put on a show to celebrate the 1000 years since the Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin and the foundation of the Hungarian State. To commemorate this event, a large park was created, Hősök tere (Hero's Square), at the end of an upgraded Andrássy Avenue and this park contained a series of statues to celebrate the mighty Hungarians of old, kings and such as that. Next to this park is a city park to which the Vajdahunyad vára, the castle you see above was added.

These two areas form the largest park in the city. On this fine autumn day, we went for a stroll in the park to see the sights.



The castle  is a hodgepodge of various styles chosen to represent castles from all over the country. In spite of have much appeal, there were clearly places showing the lack of maintenance of the years. For example, the paint was coming off all the window sashes and the paint sections of the wall in the gift shop was peeling badly. Yet, the detail in the exterior stonework is very nice.

The castle today houses the Museum of Agriculture. there was such a line out the door when we went that we decided to come back another day to check for a shorter line. One of the many virtues of a long house sit.

As we walked around the castle, we could see the almost fairy-tale like style many parts were built in.

But being the time for colorful trees, I couldn't resist a shot of these thees next to the bridge over the man-made lake that surrounds the castle. Unfortunately, the cement-bottomed lake is already drained for the winter, so I no great shots of the castle and it's reflection. We have read that in the winter the lask is again flooded a little to make a ice skating rink. Perhaps we'll see that before we leave.

Next to the castle is Jáki kápolna, the Jáki Chapel, also built as part of this celebration. Interestingly, both this chapel and the castle were originally built of wood and plaster on only later, when it was clear they were popular and the materials were failing, were they rebuilt in stone. the facade of this church is Jáki church in Vas County, hence the name.

A short walk across the bridge spanning the man-made lake, is Hősök tere, Hero's Square. Here we find the monumental adoration of the great Hungarian kings on display.

All I could think about when I saw this was for the poor horse who have to wear antlers around his head for a harness.

These are dominant figures meant to inspire aw in the visitor with their size and confident visages. And this they do very well. One could almost smell the sweat and leather while standing near them.