Budapest/Városliget

Városliget (lit. City Park, German: Stadtwäldchen) is a large park in Budapest. This article describes the western part of the 14th district: Városliget and Istvánmező.

Understand
The City Park was the main venue of the 1896 millennium celebrations of Hungary, by which time Andrássy Avenue, Millennium Underground and the Grand Boulevard had been built.

Get in
has three metro stations here: is at the center of City Park,  and  are located on the edge of the area. has one metro station located at the southern edge of Istvánmező:.

Tram line crosses the area by connecting Kacsóh Pongrác út, Zugló vasútállomás and Puskás Ferenc Stadion. The City Park is well covered by trolleybus lines:,  ,  ,  and.

Historical buildings and statues

 * The tall column in the middle is topped by a statue of the archangel Gabriel. In his right hand the angel holds the Holy Crown of Saint Stephen, the first king of Hungary. In his left hand the angel holds a two barred apostolic cross, a symbol awarded to Saint Stephen by the Pope in recognition of his efforts to convert Hungary to Christianity. In Hungarian it is referred to as the double cross or the apostolic double cross.
 * At the base of the column is a group of seven mounted figures representing the Magyar chieftains who led the Hungarian people into the Carpathian basin. In the front is Árpád, considered the founder of the Hungarian nation. Behind him are the chieftains Előd, Ond, Kond, Tas, Huba, and Töhötöm (Tétény). Little survives in the historical record about these individuals and both their costumes and their horses are considered to be more fanciful than historically accurate.
 * Statues in the left colonnade are kings of Hungary: Stephen I, Ladislaus I, Coloman, Andrew II, Béla IV, Charles I, Louis I. Topping the outer edge of the left colonnade is a statue of a man with a scythe and a woman sowing seed, representing Labor and Wealth. At the inner top edge of the left colonnade is a male figure driving a chariot using a snake as a whip representing War.
 * Statues in the right colonnade are Hungarian statesmen: John Hunyadi, Matthias Corvinus, István Bocskay, Gabriel Bethlen, Imre Thököly, Francis II Rákóczi, Lajos Kossuth. On the facing end of the right colonnade is a female figure in a chariot holding a palm frond representing Peace. In the corresponding position on the top of right colonnade is a statue of a man holding a little golden statue and a woman with a palm frond representing Knowledge and Glory.
 * Statues in the right colonnade are Hungarian statesmen: John Hunyadi, Matthias Corvinus, István Bocskay, Gabriel Bethlen, Imre Thököly, Francis II Rákóczi, Lajos Kossuth. On the facing end of the right colonnade is a female figure in a chariot holding a palm frond representing Peace. In the corresponding position on the top of right colonnade is a statue of a man holding a little golden statue and a woman with a palm frond representing Knowledge and Glory.

Leisure

 * The bath was built in 1909 in the present-day City Park. This is the largest spa in Europe, and probably the nicest one in Budapest. A vast bath complex amidst beautiful architecture, it contains 3 outdoor pools including a large lap pool, at least 3 sauna rooms, and several indoor pools at different temperatures. Outdoors: Two hot soaking pools ( and ) and one swimming pool are all open-air (even in winter), and form the center of the baths. All facilities are shared by men and women (except shower and toilets). There's a swimming tube (a whirling corridor): round- (outdoors) or rectangle-shaped (indoors) pool with artificial flow, a feature difficult to find elsewhere. Another speciality is a tradition to play chess while sitting in the water – even in winter. One or two cafes/juice bars are available directly from the swimming deck, near the cabins, year-round. Indoors: Several saunas, one steam bath. Cold-water pool, hot tubs, aqua-gym pool with weights. Northern part of indoor baths is more modern and clean.
 * Some practical information:
 * There are warnings that the baths are not suitable for children under 14 years because of the temperature of the pools. These warnings are widely ignored and may infants will be seen enjoying the various pools. There are however no discounted rates for children.
 * It is recommended not to store valuables in the lockers, use the safe boxes for (well worth the peace of mind). Signs warn they are not responsible for losses except for safe boxes. The attendant will ask you to write a "code" word on a piece of paper. This paper is placed in the box along with your valuables, and you will be given a physical key. When retrieving your items, the attendant will ask you for the "code" and check it against the paper in the box.
 * It is recommended that you bring your own towel or bathrobe and sandals, as the cost of renting these items is expensive.
 * It is recommended that you bring your own towel or bathrobe and sandals, as the cost of renting these items is expensive.