Városliget

Hello to you all!

Városliget for me represents a nostalgic world just like Margaret island. I was enormously sad, when I heard that the city administration hand in hand with architects was willing to modify Városliget, and make changes in its appearance. Any kind of modernizing and developing activity performed by humans frightens me in general. Because I know, that once a place/park/monument is influenced, it wouldn't ever be the same as it was. Due to this, I decided writing about Városliget the way I experienced it in the past 4 years when I was living in Budapest. In my memories it will always be how I'll write about it.

Városliget is located in a very beautiful region of Budapest, almost at the end of subway 1 (the yellow one). Városliget is in fact a conglomeration of nice, old and valuable places. Is a stamping ground for people from Budapest, and it was like that decades before as well. Budapest’s citizens used to and use to go out at Városliget meeting with acquaintances and friends, or just walking alone in nature. Városliget is a preferred place by lovers and families too. Városliget underwent some changes, and it still be worked on its new design and appearance till 2019; however now I’ll make a description about how it looks Városliget like at this very moment. There’s nothing you can’t do there. Városliget is a cancan of opportunities.

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Varosliget is a huge territory, a pleasant green place with lot of trees, bushes and beautiful green lawn, perfect to lie in. It’s more than 200 years old, so it still contains motives and aspects which can remind us of life in the 19th century. The buildings remained unchanged, trees were not cut, only few new and modern buildings were constructed in the past. Consequently, Városliget is an oasis, a remedy against everyday buzzle, hurry, and busy big city-life.

Varosliget is easy to reach by metro and by trolleybus 72 and bus 25. If you’re just walking nearby Keleti Railway Station or Andrássy Street, and continue your walk in the direction of Hősök tere (where the big statues can be seen), You will get exactly at the entrance of Városliget. The opposite pole of the park can reached from Hungária boulevard as well.

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Városliget is in general a frequented place by citizens and tourists, but it lies on a so big territory, that people are not concentrated, in one spot, so spending time here is not inconvenient. Regardless of how many people are out at Városliget, You can still find chill, silent places to spend intimate moments with your love or friends.

Walking from the city centre in the direction of Városliget, the first attraction which comes to Your way, is Hősök tere (Heroes square) and National Gallery vis-a-vis the building of Fine Arts Museum. Hősök tere is part of World Heritage. It’s one of the biggest and most beautiful squares of Budapest, with cobble-stones. Great sculptures of archangels, Hungarian kings and gallants are placed on high columns. The mass of statues is majestic and imposing, enhancing proudness in the heart of the visitors. Heroes square is venue of cultural events, concerts, political events, flash mobs and also protests.

Next, if you start walking on Olof Palme alley, you’ll soon be facing Városliget ice rink. For me, this ice rink represents my academic years. My university (Semmelweis University) organized (and it’s still organizing) each winter an open-air ice-skate party only for med students. There were thematic parties, like Carneval, or Christmas parties. On Semmelweis ice-carnival people dress up in various costumes, put on masks and have a good good time by dancing on the ice, and drinking mulled wine. There’s good music, mixed by a Dj. Student parties on ice are very cool!

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However, there’s another location too for perfect student parties. I’m talking about Széchenyi bath. I’ve already written a post about Széchenyi spa (link). It’s the oldest and most valuable and beautiful thermal-water spa of Budapest, located close to the ice-rink. In attention of students: there are many occasions of night-parties at Széchenyi spa. But even during the day it’s a great experience bathing here. The entire spa lies inside of an old and breath-taking classic building. The journey will be exciting not only by having a bath in pools and enjoying treatments, but also by having a historical journey and experiencing how old Budapest was like. That’s because Széchenyi bad was absolutely kept the way it was established at the beginning of the XXth century.

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Vis-a-vis Szechenyi spa is Budapest Zoo hosting more than 1000 animal species. The Zoo is the oldest one in Hungarian, dating from the 19th century. It has won several awards, and it's one of the main attractions of Budapest.

Next, the following attraction: Vajdahunyad Castle, situated right at the bank of Városliget lake. The castle embodies many architectural styles, showing aspects from gothic to roman and baroque. You can pass by its flower garden, cobble-stoned court and take a look at the monuments and statues on its alleys. There’s no lack of romanticism and mystery by walking by the castle, so it’s the perfect venue for having a date. I love getting out at Városliget and walking by its frost-bound lake and the castle covered by snow. Nevertheless, this place is perfect in summer too for sitting in the lawn, watching the sunset reflecting in the lake, and drinking a good rosé.

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Furthermore, if you just simply want to hang around in Városliget, You can ride a bike, jog, play with Frisbee or play badminton in the lawn. There are basketball courts, ping-pong tables and football pitch for sport lovers. The plain trees are offering pleasant shadow in hot summer days.

Last, but not least, let’s not forget about the vendors at Városliget. Traditional Hungarian meals and snacks can be bought for eat from the merchandisers’ stands. The most popular snacks are baked apple on a stick, fried chestnuts, salted pretzels, pop-corn and candy-floss. These create a reminiscent and nostalgic atmosphere. However, you can choose among restaurants and bars as well. During winter, there are many stands offering hot-chocolate, mulled wine and Christmas cookies.

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In conclusion, Városliget has no age, because every generation can find the most suitable activity by it. In Városliget time stopped, thus it miraculously transports its visitors in another era, in the 1900’s Budapest. It represents a gastronomical and cultural journey; moreover, it’s sport- and leisure-oriented. For me, Városliget symbolizes the entire Budapest in small. It has almost everything Budapest has. It’s like a micro-Budapest in the big capital city. And still, an oasis in the pleasant and green environment.

I don’t know in which direction does its restoration go, and how many trees will be cut down till 2019, and why people needed to ever influence this park. But I hope it won’t be totally destroyed. I will always remember it like the way I described it above.

Thanks for reading, Dora

If you’re interested about other writings of mine, click on the following link: link