When in Rome…..

Popular with the people of Budapest are the thermal baths. According to the advertisements your asthma,circulation , skin problems and any other ailments will all improve following a visit. The two most frequented are the Széchenyi and Gellert baths. We chose the latter since some of the pools at the Széchenyi baths were closed. The Gellert is famous for its Art Nouveau decoration. The baths are traditional Roman style baths……water is heated to different temperatures and you go from one to another. It was pleasant but after the thermal baths in both Iceland and New Zealand, we were a little disappointed. The decorations in the foyer were everything promised…..just the staff and actual baths were a bit ho hum. Perhaps we have been spoilt.

Opposite the Gellert is a hill with caves in it. One cave was occupied by a hermit monk. He carved a church out of the cave and used the thermal waters to help the sick. The cave was expanded by a Paulian group of monks and became the Church in the Rock. During the last war, it served as a hospital for the Germans. It is still used daily for  church services.

Across from the church and the Gellert is the original bridge linking the cities. Destroyed during the war , it was rebuilt to the original plans and named the Freedom bridge. It is constantly in use with pedestrians,bikes,trams,cars and yes we walked across it….twice!

We are waiting now for the next stage of our adventure, the Emerald    Sky for a trip down the Danube. All future instalments at the wim of the Internet.