With only two full days in Budapest, there was no way we could see everything of interest in this beautiful city. But one place I absolutely wanted to see and shoot was Fisherman's Bastion, with its reputation for looking like something straight out of a fairy tale. I especially hoped to be there for sunrise, which I almost reconsidered when I learned that sunrise was at 4:47 a.m. With jet lag still in full effect it wasn't like I was on a normal sleep schedule anyway, though, so I set my alarm for 3:30 (7:30 p.m. Denver time) and headed out.
I only had a 1.3-mile walk, or about half an hour. So I had plenty of predawn light to work with. I wasn't sure I'd be able to get a decent shot down this street without a tripod, but when you turn your ISO up high enough anything is possible!
The fortress itself presented lots of great windows on the coming sunrise, with the Hungarian Parliament Building also in clear view.
The Parliament, the Danube, and the rising sun provided a pretty compelling trifecta.
Despite the early hour, there was quite a crowd. Not everyone seemed all that thrilled to be there, though.
In a tradition likely borrowed from the Pont des Arts in Paris, people had attached locks to this window grating. A lovely foreground for the rising sun.
The fairy tale reputation? Completely deserved. According to legend, this location was protected by the guild of fishermen during the Middle Ages, hence the name. The current structure was built between 1895 and 1902, purposefully for its panoramic view and to celebrate the 1,000th birthday of the Hungarian state.
With the other visitors completely focused on the view to the east, other areas were completely empty.
I continue to an unashamed sucker for a sunburst effect.
Carvings of 10th-century soldiers stand at the top of the grand staircase, guarding the entrance.
It was barely 6 a.m., and I still had another beautiful location on Castle Hill to see!
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