Budapest: August 4-6, 2016 (off off Tokyo)

I visited Budapest for the first time in about 20 years. I found many changes –- political shift, economic reforms and the integration into the EU -- during the period

The Danube River flows between Buda and Pest, two main regions of the city. The Chain Bridge is the oldest one which linked the both sides. It was built in 1873.

People enjoyed a summer evening on the Freedom Bridge, which also links both sides of the city. 

I saw tourists and local people walking in the riverbank along the river.

The river flow slowly under the bridges..

Buda Castle is a complex of palaces, churches and other buildings on a hill in the western side of the river. It was first built in the early 13th century. (see the top photo)

The Matthias Church is probably the most famous building. The roofs were covered with modern ceramics. They were renovated around 2000.

The scene from the hilltop was beautiful.

The Pest part has many historical buildings including the parliament and St. Stephan Cathedral.

The Vaci street in one of the main shopping streets. There are many fashionable shops and restaurants with western European brands. It seemed to symbolize the economic integration with the EU.

Hungary was ruled by the Ottoman Turkey about 150 years (1541-1699) and by Austria (Habsburg family) more than 200 years (1699-1918). It was practically controlled by the Soviet Union after the World War 2.

The Hungarian Revolution in 1956 was crushed by the tanks of the Soviet Union and its allies.

There is a monument of the move just in front of the parliament building (see the 2nd photo from the top). The statue of Prime Minister Nagy Imre, who supported the revolution moves and was later executed, stands near the parliament. 

Europe faced a serious refugee crisis in 2015. Hundreds of thousands of refugees arrived in Hungary last year. The stations were overflown with them. Many pictures of the crisis were delivered from Budapest to the world.

The inflow of the refugees decreased this year because of EU’s stricter regulation and cooperation with Turkey.

Still, the problem remains unsolved. Hundreds of refugees stayed in the Eastern Station of Budapest. (see also the 3rd photo from the top)