Planning a city break in Budapest? Read four curious facts about the capital of Hungary.
1. The home of the largest synagogue in Europe
Dohány Street Synagogue is colossal. Able to house 3000 people and stretching 44 metres high and filling a size of over 2000 metres square, it is the second largest synagogue in the world, after one in New York. The synagogue is made up of various temples and gardens and was built in the mid 19th century with a design based on Moorish architecture from northern Africa.
2. The oldest underground train system in mainland Europe.
Another record-breaking fact about the capital of Hungary lies underground this time. Apart from London off the mainland – whose underground lines are the oldest in the world -Budapest can proudly boast some of the oldest metro railways in the world, with work beginning on the system in 1896. But there are only three lines and in order to get onto the others you have to change at one station. Something London might struggle with in rush hour.
3. How to become a better writer
If you touch the pen of the Anonymous statue, that sits in the park just near to Heroes’ Square then it’s said it will make that person a better writer. The statue is pretty menacing and looks like the Grim Reaper, but is thought to be a chronicler of King Bela. But no one is really sure which Bela as there have been quite a few in Hungary throughout history.
4. It’s getting hot down there
Budapest has more thermal springs below the city than any other capital in the world. The springs have given birth to dozens of medicinal baths all over the city and can produce an amazing 70 million litres of water every single day. There are also over 100 springs that have been enjoyed by many of the patrons and visitors of Budapest since the Roman Empire.
Hotel near Dohány Street Synagogue
Photo of Budapest Synagogue, Hungary, by harshilshah100
Topic: General Travel |
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About the author
Phil is a freelance writer working on various writing and editing projects ranging from feature film scripts to travel writing. He enjoys writing from experience and sharing information on the many places he has visited over the years
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