After spending more than an hour at Fisherman's Bastion, it was still barely 6 a.m. We'd learned already that Budapest was not an early-rising city, and once leaving the crowd at the famous fortress I didn't see another person on the street as I walked over to Buda Castle.
The entrance to the castle grounds is marked by the imposing Turul Statue, a massive bronze monument of the mythical Hungarian falcon holding the sword of King Saint Stephen.
Ornate planters adorn the gardens before the castle's main entrance. I'e also seen this building referred to as the "Royal Palace," and it definitely feels more like a palace than a castle. To me, "castle" is a word that connotes a structure with some defensive aspects. A "palace" has Cinderella vibes -- more decorative and residential than martial.
This equestrian statue of Prince Eugene of Savoy was originally made for another town of Zenta. When the town couldn't afford the monument's price, it was bought in 1900 by the master-builder of the Royal Castle.
These stone steps are more impressive than their name -- the Water Carrier Stairs.
Pyrogranite decorative vases at the Castle Garden Bazaar are considered iconic masterpieces of Hungarian Art Nouveau, and feature detailed motifs inspired by Hungarian folklore and mythology.
I walked back to our hotel, the morning still cool, the streets still quiet, and reveled at having been able to experience two stunning locations before the day had even really begun!
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