October 14 - Budapest

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, has a history shaped by centuries of cultural and political upheaval. Founded from the unification of Buda, Pest, and Óbuda in 1873, the city quickly grew into a major hub within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Its strategic location on the Danube River facilitated economic development and made it a crossroads for trade and innovation. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Budapest was renowned for its stunning architecture, including iconic landmarks like the Parliament Building and Chain Bridge, as well as its lively café culture and cultural scene. However, the city also saw social tensions caused by rapid urbanization during this period.

Following the outbreak of the First World War, Budapest experienced significant hardship as the Austro-Hungarian Empire dissolved in 1918, leading to political instability and economic decline. The city endured occupation by Romanian forces in 1919 and the subsequent establishment of a short-lived communist regime, followed by the conservative Horthy government. During the interwar years, Budapest struggled with economic challenges, social tensions, and the rise of extremist anti-Semitic political movements. The Second World War brought further turmoil: the city suffered heavy bombing, severe shortages, and, in 1944–1945, a brutal siege by Soviet forces that caused immense destruction and loss of life.

In the aftermath of the Second World War, Budapest found itself on the eastern side of the so-called Iron Curtain—a political, military, and ideological barrier that divided Eastern and Western Europe during the Cold War. The city became part of the Soviet sphere of influence as Hungary was transformed into a socialist state under communist rule. The Iron Curtain not only restricted the movement of people and ideas but also deeply affected everyday life in Budapest, with strict government surveillance, censorship, and limited contact with the West.

Despite these constraints, Budapest emerged as a focal point of resistance, most notably during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, when citizens briefly revolted against Soviet control before the uprising was violently suppressed. Over the following decades, the city remained under communist rule until the late 1980s, when the gradual weakening of the Iron Curtain eventually led to Hungary’s transition to democracy and the re-opening of Budapest to the wider world.

When I first started working, one of my co-workers told me a horror story that has stayed with me all these years. Tom Deri was a young boy in Budapest during the Second World War. Being Jewish, he and his family were forced to hide in a sympathetic gentile’s apartment. They managed to escape the mass deportation of the Hungarian Jews to the death camps. On the day that the Russians liberated the city, Tom left his hiding spot and went outside to a park, where he saw multiple German soldiers hanging from the trees. I can’t imagine what damage that would do to a young child. Tom’s family left for Canada after the Hungarian revolution was crushed by the Russians in 1956.

Budapest is two cities merged into one large metropolis. Buda is the richer of the two and is on a large hill. Pest is on a flatter plain with more commerce and livelier nightlife.

There are three outstanding architectural buildings. The most important is building is the Parliament Building, which is an amazing example of Neo-Gothic architecture, featuring soaring spires, an ornate dome, and intricate stonework that reflects grandeur and national pride.

Buda Castle, perched atop Castle Hill overlooking the Danube, is a blend of architectural styles resulting from centuries of rebuilding and renovation. Originally constructed in the 13th century as a medieval fortress, the castle complex was later expanded and transformed with elements of Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture, with traces of Ottoman structures remaining visible.

St. Stephen’s Basilica is a focal point of the city’s skyline. Completed in 1905 after more than 50 years of construction, the basilica is an amazing example of Neo-Classical architecture, with a grand façade featuring imposing Corinthian columns, ornate stone reliefs, and a vast central dome that rises ninety-six metres above the city.

There are many other palaces that are now home to multiple Hungarian companies.

Today, modern-day Budapest is celebrated for its thriving arts scene, world-class thermal baths, and bustling nightlife along the Danube. As Hungary’s political, economic, and cultural heart, Budapest attracts millions of visitors annually, drawn by its UNESCO-listed sites, innovative gastronomy, and festivals that highlights both traditional and modern influences. The city's growing international community, making Budapest a unique bridge between East and West in 21st-century Europe.

One of the highlights of the trip was the nighttime river cruise of the Danube. All the major buildings are lite up and make a memorable trip to finish the cruise.