Dent, Bob: Budapest for Children - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1992)
3. Going for a Ride - Enjoying some transport
GOING FOR A RIDE 21 Funicular [Sikló] The Funicular “lift” runs from Clark Ádám tér at the Buda end of the Chain Bridge [Lánchíd] up to the Royal Palace on Castle Hill. Although only lasting a minute or so, for children it’s one of the most interesting and unusual ways of reaching the Hill. As the carriages slowing ascend, there is a good view ahead of the Chain Bridge below, the top of the Basilica and Pest beyond, though the views to the left and right are restricted. Children from London may notice a resemblance between the Chain Bridge, built in the 1840s, and Hammersmith Bridge. They should do, the designer of both was Englishman William Tierney Clark who used the latter bridge as a model. Adam Clark (no relation) was a Scottish engineer in charge of the building. Both men were brought to Budapest by Count István Széchenyi, one of Hungary’s leading reformers of the last century and a great admirer of British engineering and technology. Children are often told that the lions at the end of the bridge have no tongues. Can you see any? The odd-looking white monument in the park in front of the Sikló is the “Zero Kilometre” Stone. All distances to Budapest you see on Hungarian roads are supposed to be measured from this spot. The Funicular can be reached on the no. 16 bus from Erzsébet tér (the stop is near Deák tér). It runs from 7.30 to 10 pm, though is closed every other Monday for maintenance. For the view the best carriage is undoubtedly the lowest one. The Funicular was damaged in the war and only reopened in 1986. At that time it was one of the few facilities built with wheelchair access in mind. However the ramp leads you to the top carriage, from where the view for someone sitting is minimal and even the door is not too wide! The huge bird statue at the top of the Funicular represents the mythical “Turul” eagle, about which there are many ancient Hungarian legends. Cog-wheel Railway [Fogaskerekű Vasút] The Cog-wheel railway is fun to ride and is a convenient and pleasant way of sampling the Buda Hills (13),
