If you have been visiting Budapest for the last number of years you will no doubt have noticed the amount of renovation or restoration that has been going on. Most of Andrassy Avenue has now been restored to its former glory, and has rightly reclaimed its place as one of the world's most beautiful avenues. Similarly the Danube panorama in Budapest has again got to be one of the most spectacular river panoramas in world, rivaled only by Paris and Prague.
Budapest regulars will also notice that recently the streets and boulevards of Budapest most central quarter, District V have undergone significant restoration. If you walk from the Meridien Hotel via Vorosmarty Square, down to the tranquil Karoly Kert garden-square, though the Keczkemeti utca and on to the central market square with its view of the stunning Szabadsag Bridge, you could really be in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and hard to know that this was a city that underwent, until relatively recently, 40 years of communism.
And the work continues. The 4th metro line is due for completion in 2014 and will initially run from the Keleti (eastern) railway terminal through the central market square and under the river to the Buda side. And it was recently announced that the Budapest City Council is now preparing projects worth over EUR 50 million. This includes the reconstruction and updating of the Metro lines 1 and 3, continued modernization of the trams and trolley busses and the revamp of the chain bridge and tunnel under the Castle Hill [source Budapest Business Journal].
And speaking of the Castle (Var). It seems that the southern tip of the Buda Hill, under the castle, and facing the river will be completely renovated, with work beginning this month. Underground parking, escalators to the royal palace, a new tram stop, restored, a new pier on the Danube, gardens and terraces will bring this part of the Buda Hill back to its former Hapsburg era glory.
Source: Andras Patkai, Xpat Loop
