Dent, Bob: Budapest for Children - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1992)
4. Castle Hill & Gellért Hill
30 CASTLE HILL & GELLERT HILL From the top of the funicular it’s just a short way down some steps to the cobbled walkway in front of the Palace. There is a very good view of Pest from here. (Wheelchair access is possible round the back of the building and through a passage.) The front entrance in the middle of the building leads to the Hungarian National Gallery [Nemzeti Galéria]. This contains the country’s most important collection of Hungarian paintings. As a huge gallery of Hungarian art it has a limited appeal to foreign children. On the other hand there are many large, historical paintings which could be of interest, particularly in view of the fact that an English-speaking guide can be arranged in advance (tel. 175-7533 ex. 616). Given advanced warning, children can also be taken up to the dome at the top of the building. Even without a guide one of the sections in the museum may be of particular interest—the spectacular collection of Gothic winged al- tarpieces in “D” wing on the first floor. This is unique in eastern Europe. Open 10-18 except Mondays. Free entrance for children and free for all on Saturdays. Apart from the few steps to get inside, wheelchair access throughout the museum is good. Lifts go to all floors and corridors are wide. On the ground floor there is a pleasant and spacious coffee shop with tables and seats, which is accessible without entering the exhibition area proper. There is room for pushchairs here and toilets are nearby. At the back of the National Gallery in the wing nearest the upper terminus of the funicular is the entrance to the Modern History Museum [Legújabbkori Történeti Múzeum]. At the time of writing the museum is mainly given over to a variety of temporary exhibitions which may or may not be of interest to children. In addition, the museum houses the “Ludwig” collection of modern international art. Opposite the entrance to this museum, across the courtyard, is the attractive “Matthias Fountain”, which recalls one of the romantic tales associated with the popular King Matthias who ruled Hungary in the Middle Ages. On the right below the king is the legendary Szép
