Budapest during the Night at Citadella

How does Budapest look like at night? Will there be any difference when you look at the city in top perspective during the night? Will the atmosphere of liveliness and vitality be the same? I have been asking this question to myself in my first twenty (20) days of stay in the city. But to wrestle for an answer without practically trying it for myself is a futile exercise. It is like a wishful thinking that will never have its full realization. They say that the taste of the pudding is in eating so I ventured out to find for myself, how Budapest looks like at night by climbing up Citadella.

At seven in the evening, I started to pass through Kiniszi utca to drop by at a grocery store, Spar, to purchase two cans of beer and some chips which I will bring with me at the top of the hill. I usually prefer to go the Spar for my routine grocery activities for its location is nearer to my dormitory. I knew I needed these boosters to provide me the needed energy when I take a momentary rest somewhere midway up the hill. I carefully packed them up inside my little backpack and journeyed out towards the Gellert Hill.

The moment I reached the E Building which houses the Faculty of Business and Economics of Corvinus University of Budapest, I was awe struck of its stunning beauty. The building really looks even more beautiful during the night. The lights that floods the building surrounding areas give it an attractive reflection which makes it look more golden in effect. It is worthy of a second look and you would not get tired of admiring the building’s accidental elegance.

Take a look at this amazing photo of the E Building which is situated near the Szabadsag Bridge. It just looks sterling and magnificent during the night. It is really nice to have an evening stroll along this place. You would definitely enjoy the evening stroll particularly if you are accompanied by a friend or partner. Take notice of the effect of the lights in the entirety of the building and its immediate surroundings.

I have already walked as much as four hundred meters or perhaps almost a kilometer already. It took me around fifteen minutes from the Kiniszi Dormitory to the foot of the hill. I was at the Gellert Square and was dazzled by the beauty of the Gellert Hotel with its attractive lights. It was already a quarter past seven in the evening.

There were five (5) people whom I reckoned were tourists who headed towards the hill. I followed them momentarily to see for myself whether it is safe to trek up the hill during the night. When I walked further, I saw that there were a great number of people who were likewise heading up Citadella. Convinced of the power of number, I deduced that Citadella is still bustling with activities even during the night.

I continued my journey until I felt tired and decided to stop in the cave church. The station near the entrance of the cave church gives you an overlooking view of the Szabadsag Bridge which was shimmering with lights. The very silhouette of the bridge was apparent in my location. The lights appeared to have beautifully danced in reflection with the waters of Danube river. The Szabadasag Bridge is comparable to a beautiful giant caterpillar adorned with precious stones that shimmer in the dark. It was a perfect romantic setting. The Szabadsag bridge does not run out of passers-by even during the night. It is dazzling and stunning!

In this picture, I was just starstruck by the magnificence behind me.

Here is another peek of the Szabadsag Bridge:

After a few minutes of rest near the cave church, I continued my trip to Citadella. I passed by a group of students who were having good time drinking beer and sharing vociferous laughter. You can hear their merriment even from a hundred meters away.

Truth to tell, I was already tired when I reached midway the hill. This must be because I did not have any physical exercise in the last few days so I easily get tired. I needed to rest for the second time and wait for my second wind. I drunk the first can of beer and munched on the chips. I was having a good time with myself. The can of beer made me more recharged and revitalized.

As I was having a brief rest, I can hear the sounds of some night insects in the woods. From my location, I can also see some folks who were likewise heading to the top of the hill. The number of people who wanted to see Citadella and the city at night is swelling! I must not be the only one who wanted to see the city at night.

I continued my journey at the top of the hill. If this is a marathon, I should reach the finish line successfully. I do not have the time to hesitate and falter. The stake is so high: Budapest classic and elegant beauty at night! I was already gasping with my breath when the figure of the lady holding a palm frond with her arms raised in heaven was already looming. At that juncture, I knew that I was almost there. I knew I was already tired. If I were a tired dog, my tongue must have been already sticking out! (just kidding). Fatigue is gradually setting in. I felt thirsty. It tempted me to take another can of beer. But I held back to the temptation. I should have the last can of beer at the top. Just some minutes ago, I almost gave up the idea of getting to the top. But I have gone this far and I needed to fulfill my mission for that night before I go back to the dormitory: to conquer Citadella and see the promised beauty of Budapest adorned at night.

The trekking up the hill is not an easy task. But the fulfillment that you have when you reached the summit is unexplainable. Once I reached the top, I felt relieved. When some people told me that Citadella looks gorgeous at night, they were not telling a lie. They were just telling the cold hard facts, the truth without adulteration. Citadella looks astonishing and stunning at night. The place is lively and bustling with tourists during the night. At first I thought there may be only a couple of people who would be there, but to my surprise Citadella appears to attract more people during twilight and early night. Couples, lovers, families and friends were there when I got the top of the hill.

The Liberation Monument is an epitome of a classic beauty. It is in itself an obra maestra, whose beauty is waiting to be discovered during the night. The Statue of Liberty (I am referring to the lady holding a palm leaf) is such as magnificent structure, whose poise and bearing denotes strength, magnanimity, bravery and fortitude. The man holding the torch is just so splendid. It exudes with flawlessness in its balance and seem to harmonize with the air that prevails in Hungary during the days of turmoil and eventual liberation.

I needed to nudge my way to some tourists who were taking pictures of the city. I was not mistaken the city of Budapest is like a masterpiece of a painter during the night. It was like a night island full of gems: shining, shimmering and splendid. Do I sound like exaggerating? Nope. If you were here, you may have a more hyperbolic expression of description. The city is full of vitality and is standing-out even during the night. The lights that permeated the city give it a look which has the effect of creating a very vivid image so beautiful and romantic.

This picture does not need further description as it will speak for itself. My camera does not have good resolution and does not have that much features to make my shots better but this beautiful city does not choose any lenses to appear beautiful in still medium.

There were a great number of tourists who were huddled together in the area facing the city and they have almost invaded the flank rim that gives the best circumferential and angular views of the city. Your lenses cannot be choosy which angle to take as almost every angle is a worthy of a shot from your camera. I, myself, am not a good photographer but I do not need to be one when the subject of my photography no longer needs to be emphasized but only needs to be admired. Budapest during the night at Citadella when seen at the top is a great masterpiece in itself. It exudes with unparalleled beauty. You would not get tired looking and gazing at its almost flawless beauty.

In closing, on my way to the dormitory, all that is true, good and beautiful that I have seen and experienced at the top of the Gellert Hill left but indelible positive impressions in my mind. I surely brought with me undescribable feelings of admiration of the city. Definitely, these will form part and parcel of my education. I have gained and learned something new. I was not mistaken when I thought of this city as one full of wonders and surprises. And this night did not disappoint as I was able to witness wonders and surprises at its best! More surprises are sure to come in the next few months and I resolve to make the best out my experiences here and live life to the fullest!

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