Dent, Bob: Budapest for Children - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1992)
4. Castle Hill & Gellért Hill
32 CASTLE HILL & GELLERT HILL Ilonka (Ilonka the beautiful) who is said to have fallen in love with the king after she met him by chance when he was hunting in the forest. Later, when she discovered who he was, she died of a broken heart, believing her love to be hopeless. The archway, still at the back of the National Gallery, leads to the large, cobbled Lion Court, at the far end of which is the entrance to the Budapest History Museum [Budapesti Történeti Múzeum], The permanent exhibition has two parts: the history of Budapest and the medieval Gothic palace remains. The former is a large display including carvings, documents, prints, ceramics, glass objects, tapestries, photographs, and various items and works of art illustrating the history of Budapest. The latter, although not big, is probably of more interest to children as it involves going down into the old stone castle remains, through several “castle” rooms and out on to the old battlements. A text about both sections is available in English. The Budapest History Museum is particularly “children- friendly” in that from September to May on the last Saturday of each month between 10 and 12 special children’s activities are organised involving handicrafts, model-making, etc. These are open to all and foreign children are welcome to join in. In addition, on the last Saturday in May the museum organises its own “Museum Children’s Day” when the entire space may be taken over with children’s activities. If the weather is fine these take place in the castle courtyard, too. Open Nov-Mar 10-16, Mar-Nov 10-18. Closed Monday. Children’s entrance half price, but free for all on Wednesday. An English-speaking guide can be booked on tel. 155-8849. Wheelchair access is unfortunately poor, there being many steps, particularly in the castle section. There are often temporary exhibitions, which may be interesting for children, though usually an additional entrance fee is charged for these. Gellért Hill Gellért Hill is the hill that rises sharply from the Danube between the Freedom [Szabadság] and Elizabeth bridges. On top the huge female figure of the Liberation
