Budapest II

Budapest is said to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Everyone I know who has been there has waxed ecstatic about the place. Add me to the list. If you appreciate interesting architecture there are few cities to match the Hungarian metropolis in magnificence. You cannot walk down a street without coming across stellar examples of Belle Époque, neo-Renaissance and especially Art Nouveau styles. It seems that the entire city was rebuilt in the late 19th century. And indeed it was. The Golden Age began with the creation of the Dual Monarchy with Vienna and Budapest as co-capitals in 1875 and continued unabated until the First World War. Not only are there numerous public buildings to gawk at, but seemingly endless streets of gorgeous residential buildings. Of course some are neglected and crumbling quietly away, but very many have been taken care of. Considering the ravages of WW II and the '56 Revolution, Budapest is in surprisingly good shape. They might do a little better at trash pick-up, though. And some of the parks were in a sorry state, but those are minor quibbles about this great city. The photos show the famed Gresham Palace, originally built by a British insurance firm as an office building. In the Soviet era it fell into disrepair but has now been restored to its former glory by the Four Seasons hotel. It's a real stunner.