Dent, Bob: Budapest for Children - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1992)
4. Castle Hill & Gellért Hill
CASTLE HILL & GELLERT HILL 27 Castle District. Although this bus route is scenic, traffic congestion on the bridge can cause delays. The quickest way from Pest is to take the no. 2 (red) metro to Moszkva tér, and then the mini-bus [Vár] service, which departs from across the road at the top of the steps facing the metro exit. There is also a lift which goes from near Dózsa György tér on the far, west side of Castle Hill up to the Széchényi Library, the large building at the back of the Royal Palace complex. The Castle District [Vámegyed] Almost everybody who visits Budapest heads for the Matthias Church and in particular the so-called Fishermen’s Bastion [Halászbástya] behind the church. From this rampart there is a marvellous view of Pest stretched out below. Around the church, particularly in summer, there’s usually lots going on—dancers, artists, various performers, etc. Horse-drawn carriages set out from the front of the church on a tour of the Castle District. Inside the church there is a small ecclesiastical collection which is contained in passageways and halls reached via the entrance to the crypt on the right of the chancel. Children may like to go down here and then work their way through up to Royal Oratory which overlooks the chancel. There is a copy of the Hungarian crown jewels here. The stretch of Tárnok u., which runs from Dísz tér (where there are sometimes folk-culture activities) to Szentháromság tér in front of the Matthias Church is one of the busiest streets in Budapest, pedestrianwise, in the summer. There are a number of “touristy” folk-art shops here where the salespeople dress up in traditional costumes. At no. 18 is the “Arany Sas” (Golden Eagle) Pharmacy museum, a former chemists, one of the oldest in the city. It’s a small exhibition, but of some interest to children, particularly the alchemist’s workshop with its stuffed crocodile hanging from the ceiling. There is usually someone who speaks English here and a small booklet in English is also available. (Open 10.30-18 except Mondays. Free entrance for children. Wheelchair access not bad — one step up.) Szentháromság u. is a little street running westwards
