A photo essay created by Sarah Elizabeth
We begin our walk at the water’s edge looking towards the old city of Buda. Fisherman’s Bastion, a well-known Budapest monument, can be seen below the tallest squire on castle hill (image featured above).
At our feet are metal shoes made to honor the Jewish lives lost at this site during World War II. The cold air brushes my cheeks and the water flows peacefully by. I am grateful for my existence and respect the ultimate sacrifices that were made here. We stop for a moment of silence.
We venture further into the old city Pest. Along our way, we find the Great Market Hall, built in 1896. It was built to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the Hungarian state. Today, the hall is decorated with festive lights and full of life. As we prepare to leave, I buy a small cloth bag of sweet paprika.
Continuing our journey, we walk past an ornate steel walking bridge that connects the past cities of Buda and Pest into the current thriving city of Budapest. I think of the pain this city and its people have survived. The Nazi and Soviet occupations make up more than four decades of terror in the city’s history.
As we approach Heroes Square, the sun begins to set on the horizon. I admire the monument that stands strong and proud. The monument today stands rebuilt after the original was deconstructed under communist rule. The resurrection of this monument speaks to the resilience and strength of this proud nation.
If you enjoyed this post, you may enjoy: The Riverside.
