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The Cinema Mystica: a journey through lights, colours and technology in Budapest

Cinema Mystica: One of Budapest’s Most Unusual Places Cinema Mystica is an immersive digital art space in Budapest. It is very different from a normal museum: instead of paintings and long descriptions, there are lights, projections, music, mirrors and interactive installations. The idea is simple: you enter different rooms and each one creates a new atmosphere. Some are colourful and energetic, while others are darker and more relaxing. In many areas, the images cover the walls and the floor, so it can feel like being inside the artwork. A different experience One of the most interesting things is that visitors are not only there to watch. Some installations react to movement, while others use reflections, sounds and changing lights. This makes the visit more interactive and also more fun. There is no single way to experience Cinema Mystica. Some people spend most of the time taking photos and videos, especially…

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Active tourism

Fisherman’s Bastion: Budapest at Sunrise and at Night

The Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the most famous places in Budapest. It is on the Buda side of the city, next to Matthias Church, and from its terraces you can see the Danube, the Parliament and a large part of Pest. It is especially popular because of the view, but the atmosphere can be completely different depending on the time you visit it. We decided to see it in two different moments: at sunrise and just after sunset. It almost felt like visiting two different places. Sunrise: quiet Budapest Visiting the Bastion early in the morning means waking up very early, but it is worth it. At sunrise, the first thing we noticed was the silence. There were only a few people around and we could walk through the arches and terraces without the big crowds that normally visit the area during the day. The light also changes everything.…

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Active tourism

The Deep Roots and Rebirth of Budapest’s Jewish Quarter

Any tourist asked about their plans for Budapest will definitely tell that they want to visit a “ruin bar.” And there is little doubt that their first step will be directed towards District VII, Erzsébetváros, which goes under another name: the Jewish Quarter. At night, these few square kilometers become one of the liveliest, chaotic, and dynamic places in all Europe to go to a party. However, during the day, the strobes disappear to unveil a district rich in history. It is a place of elegant Moorish buildings along the streets where you can see walls with bullet holes, and kosher bread shops right next to gourmet coffee roasters. But to get to know more about Budapest, one needs to peel off the layer of neon. Here begins the history of the Jewish Quarter, from its golden era to its darkest times, and its amazing comeback in modern days. The…

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Active tourism

Where Light Meets the Soul: In Search for Cinema Mystica in Budapest

Deep inside the cultural heritage of Budapest hides a place that removes all the limitations of physical reality. Situated in the very center of the city in Párisi Udvar, Cinema Mystica is no regular movie hall but a leading digital arts exhibition in Central Europe. As soon as you go through dark and heavy curtains you find yourself in a new dimension of reality that combines light, sound and sacred geometry of the material world and digital universe. Covering an enormous amount of dark rooms, this amazing experience utilizes the latest technologies to transform an environment into a living canvas that interacts with you forcing you to reconsider the limits of your body and the art itself. Sanctuary of Sacred Geometry and Digital Light The central concept of the exhibition at Cinema Mystica lies in a rather interesting idea – exploring ancient spiritual symbols, psychedelic patterns and hidden geometry of…

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Active tourism

Budapest from the Water: Local Danube Riverboat Cruise

This is one of the reasons Budapest is called “The Pearl of the Danube.” Although wandering through the winding cobblestone streets of the castle area or sitting in a ruin pub enjoying some drinks might be wonderful, there is nothing like the view of Budapest from the heart of the river, particularly at night, where the whole capital turns into a masterpiece of gold lights. However, one does not have to pay lots of money for an expensive private cruise in order to see this spectacle. The river boat line of the local transport operator BKV allows tourists to enjoy the sight of the most magnificent parliament of the world. Why the Local Riverboat is Budapest’s Best Kept Secret The majority of tourists immediately visit the tourist piers at Vigadó tér where the premium price is paid for the usual commercial cruises. But while the tours are excellent, there is…

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Active tourism

A Mediterranean Oasis at the Very Heart of the City: Discovering Twentysix in Budapest

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the VII District of Budapest, lies the hidden oasis of Twentysix, which offers the sensation of being thousands of miles away from the harsh winds of Europe. All one needs to do is enter the inconspicuous door on Király Street and suddenly find themselves transported to Twentysix, an exquisite indoor jungle that redefines the meaning of interior dining and hanging out altogether. This is not only a restaurant, but an entire living ecosystem that combines ultramodern architecture and nature. With a constant climate of 26°C (79°F)—which is suitable both for the exotic flora and people—the gorgeous courtyard under the glass roof has soon turned into the most desirable retreat spot for the local citizens and tourists. The Architectural Structure of the Botanical Courtyard There is something about Twentysix which makes it a true architectural wonder – it is the perfect example of blending nature…

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Active tourism

Budapest’s Great Market Hall – the Vivid Heart of Authenticity

For anyone looking to fully immerse oneself into the spirit of daily life in Budapest, the real energy and the culture of cooking in this unique city can be found in just one location. Nestled at the end of the Liberty Bridge is the stunning neogothic church of food known as the Great Market Hall (Nagyvásárcarnok). Upon entering this magnificent brick structure, one is immediately greeted with the wonderful scents of smoked paprika, pastry, and meat that have been part of the Hungarian cuisine tradition for over a hundred years. This vibrant market center is not only a tourist attraction but also an alive monument of European market traditions in the modern era. A Wonder of Brick and Zsolnay Tiles The Great Market Hall was erected back in 1897, led by the renowned architect, Samu Pecz. It came as a result of dire necessity to ensure the quality of food…

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Active tourism

Visiting Gellért Hill: The Dark History and Bright Future of the Budapest Cittadella

From any point in central Budapest if you look up, then you will be able to see a large stone castle looming from the top of Gellért Hill, with an enormous bronze woman standing with a palm leaf held to the sky. This is the Cittadella. For years it was considered simply the finest panoramic spot in Budapest. But the story of the limestone monster is a dark and highly ironic one, which is absolutely fascinating. And if you come to Budapest today, then you will experience the most dramatic changes that have been seen on this hill for more than a century. The History: A Fortress Built to Intimidate The majority of castles and fortresses are constructed by the city government in order to defend the citizens from the attacks by outsiders. However, the Cittadella is the absolute contradiction of this principle. In 1848, Hungarians organized a massive, and…

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Active tourism

Rolling and Floating: What It’s Really Like on Budapest’s Amphibious Water Bus

Have you ever been strolling around the banks of the Danube, minding your own business, when suddenly a flashy yellow bus comes right off the road, dives straight into the water? No need to be alarmed, the driver did not doze off behind the wheel. What you have just seen is the RiverRide, the amphibious water bus that Budapest is known for! If you are torn between a standard bus tour of the city and a boat ride, this funny yellow bus takes care of both of your needs. Below is what it is like riding this one-of-a-kind attraction in Budapest. What is an Amphibious Bus? At first glance, the RiverRide looks like a normal, albeit slightly bulky, tour bus. It has standard bus seats, large panoramic windows, and a tour guide with a microphone. But underneath, it’s built on a custom-designed chassis that functions entirely as a boat. Because…

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Active tourism

Remnants of the Golden Age: The Hidden Treasures of the Hungarian State Opera House

As you walk down Andrássy Avenue, Budapest’s elegant and prestigious avenue, you cannot overlook the magnificent architectural marvel that adorns the road. Not only does the Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Állami Operaház) serve as a place of magnificent operatic performances, but it also serves as a magnificent testament to the high culture of Europe, political aspirations, and luxurious living in its purest form. Step into the opera house, and you will find yourself thrown back into an age where going to the opera was an indication of opulence and power. Royal Competition in Neo-Renaissance Stone The history of the Opera House begins in 1875, during the glamorous dual monarchy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The city was developing rapidly and had the desire to build a cultural institution capable of rivaling other theaters on the European continent. The emperor agreed to finance the building of such an opera house, but…

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