July 5, 2013
Zoltan, who holds a PhD in Philosophy, recommends that you visit The Garden of Philosophy.
There are a few very spectacular places in the Buda side, including the Castle Hill and Gellert Hill. If one visits the latter, the most obvious sights to see are the Citadella and the Liberty Statue. However, if you would like to visit a more peaceful place which is not so packed with tourists there are some more hidden and special spots on the hill.
One of the most unique of them is The Garden of Philosophy, a group of eight statues donated to Budapest in 1997 by Nandor Wagner, a Hungarian sculptor who lived in Japan. It is striking how the group of statues appears in the corner of the seemingly average-looking park, overlooking the city. Five figures - Abraham, Echnaton, Jesus, Buddha and Lao Tse represent different cultures from the world. They stand in a circle and next to them you can find the other three figures, Mahatma Gandhi, Daruma Taishi and St. Francis. The monument was created in the hope of a better mutual understanding between cultures.
The park is also excellent for social gatherings: take a picnic basket and some wine, enjoy the special atmosphere and the view. The easiest way to go there is to take bus 112 or 8 from Ferenciek Tere until Sanc utca and walk uphill for a few minutes but you can also walk up from the waterfall at Elizabeth bridge or walk down from Citadella.
Click here for a panorama view and for a map.