Budapest 100 2013 - Photographing old buildings Part One

This weekend, I'd been traipsing around the city photographing old buildings. This was the third occasion that the 100 year-old buildings of Budapest (houses and institutions alike) had opened their gates to the grande public.

I'd spent a lot of time poring over the various programmes at the Budapest100 website before I was able to settle for the perfect ones for me.

The first building I visited was Belgrád rakpart (quay or docks) at the (Pest) foot of Liberty Bridge. (If you ask any residents they'll most likely claim that it is their favourite bridge. No wonder, as it offers the most beautiful view on the Danube.)

Here, in the 100 year-old house on Belgrád rakpart visitors were first taken up to the attic.

After the attic tour, I attended a special history 'class' in one of the flats and learnt many interesting things about the area and the house. Which means, I'll later look up more info on it.

Next, I went to the 'residence' of a very famous Hungarian actress, Katalin Karády. Even you might have heard her name, as she fled to the US and died there. She was also famous for hiding Jewish people during WWII. Here, visitors could take a tour of the cellars where she hid children. It was a very special experience.

Before the next programme, I had a few idle hours, so I photographed a few beautiful, old buildings.

Then, I went to a renowned hotel where visitors were taught to dance the Charleston. Unfortunately, I have no photo of that, but I had a great time.

Before returning home, I took a photo of my favourite bridge, Margaret Bridge. The flags are promoting the Budapest Spring Festival or BTF.

To be continued...