Author: Zhang Linchu Source: "Galaxy Reading", "Diplomats Say Things"
About the Author
Zhang Linchu was the Secretary of the Military Attache Office of the Chinese Embassy in France and Algeria, the Army Attache of the Chinese Embassy in France, the Military Attache of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the Chinese Embassy in Italy, and a senior researcher of the China Institute for International Strategic Studies. He is currently a researcher of the China Foundation for International Studies, a member of the 9th Council of the Chinese Society of Civilian Diplomacy, a senior advisor to the French Studies Association of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, a director of the Beijing Society for Foreign Studies and the deputy director of the Center for European Studies.
He has published hundreds of current affairs papers and literary works in newspapers and periodicals such as Jiefangjun Daily, Global Times, International Strategic Studies, Foreign Issues Studies, Global Finance and Economics, Peace and Development, Geography and Energy, World Knowledge Expo, World Culture, Friends of Military Retirement, Chinese Geographical Names, World Literature, and other newspapers and periodicals, as well as International Network, China Social Science Network, Jiangshan Literature Network, and Galaxy Yue Reading Chinese Network.
Main works: "Remembering My Father and Mother", "Eternal Memory", "Traces of Time", "Mulberry Elm Shellfish", "Looking Back", "Towards Europe in 2000" (co-author), "Chronicles of Nations-Côte d'Ivoire", "World Knowledge Series" in 18 countries including Belgium, Algeria and South Africa, and "World Expo" in 4 countries including Portugal, Belgium and Monaco.
His main translations include the Biography of Algerian President Juari Boumediene (co-translation), The History of the Development of French Nuclear Forces, The War of the 21st Century, etc.
He has won many awards in essay contests held by "Jiangshan Literature Network" and "Galaxy Yue Reading Chinese Network", and has been named "Gold Medal Author" for four consecutive years, and has won the titles of May Day Model Worker, Excellent Party Member, Outstanding Galaxy Man and "Model Comrade-in-Arms".
In June 2005, at the invitation of the Hungarian Center for Security and Defense Studies, a group of four members from the China Society for International Strategic Studies visited this beautiful country. In Hungary in early summer, everything is vying for glory, and the fragrance is strong. The beautiful Danube, the symphony "Blue Danube", the musician Liszt, and the poet Pedorfi are almost all familiar to us.
The pearl of the Danube - Budapest
Early in the morning, the squeaks of a few small birds woke me up from my sleep. The first day on the agenda after arriving in Budapest is to explore the city.
Along the way, the Hungarian escort enthusiastically introduced us that the quiet Danube River flows from north to south, flowing through the middle of Hungary and dividing Budapest in two. To the west of the river is Buda, gentle and hilly, where the remnants of the Carpathian Mountains come to an abrupt end; To the east of the river is Pest, where the vast Hungarian plain begins, stretching southeast to the borders of Hungary and Romania and Hungary and Serbia.
At present, Budapest covers an area of 525 square kilometers and has a population of more than 200,000. The two banks are connected by nine majestic bridges of different styles, the most famous of which is the Chain Bridge (also known as the "Elizabeth Bridge" or "Sissi Bridge").
Chain bridge
Construction began in 1839 and was completed in 1849 and is the oldest and most magnificent of the nine bridges connecting Buda and Pest, while the newest bridge is the Rajmanyuš Bridge, completed in November 1995.
Bustling Pest is the administrative, commercial and cultural center of the Parliament building and government agencies. Buda is mainly a residential area, with buildings nestled among the green trees on the hillside. The whole city is more beautiful than we imagined, surrounded by mountains and rivers, the ancient Gothic and Baroque buildings are exquisite and atmospheric, the gorgeous natural scenery and ancient and modern architecture are cleverly combined, and many quaint streets are full of romantic atmosphere, and the streets are lined with rows of linden, acacia and lilac trees, covered with thick shade and verdant greenery.
The Reichstag on the banks of the Danube
The first thing that catches our eye is the Capitol. Situated on the banks of the Danube, the Reichstag is a building of European renown and one of the grandest and most stately buildings in Hungary. Before the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, inspired by the slogan of national awakening "Fatherland and Progress", a Hungarian poet said that "the motherland needs a parliament".
In 1838 the Danube flooded and flooded the city. After that, the Habsburgs and Hungary formed a dual Austro-Hungarian empire with a common head of state, a common diploma, a common currency, a common army, but each with its own parliament and law enforcement agencies. It was against this backdrop that the construction of the Hungarian Parliament began to be conceived.
"I didn't want to make the Reichstag stand out from the rest," said renowned Hungarian architect and designer Teinder Imre, "because I couldn't strike a balance between a century-old building and fleeting details, and I had to try to carefully embody the soul of the nation in this medieval style building as art dictated." Therefore, all the building materials of the Reichstag were taken from Hungary.
Ground was broken in 1884 and completed in 1902, taking 18 years and costing 3,700 gold crowns. The building covers an area of 17,745 square meters, with a total length of 268 meters, a maximum width of 118 meters, and a dome height of 96 meters. The entire building, made of high-quality stone and marble, is a fine example of European architecture from all eras of Europe, with a Gothic minaret and 88 sculptures on the façade, from the seven chieftains of the Hungarian settlement to King Ferdinand V, all of whom were rulers, grand dukes and military leaders in Hungarian history.
Led by our Hungarian friends, we toured the building and listened to the parliamentary debate on social security. Our Hungarian friends also welcomed us in the building. Inside, we are decorated in Renaissance, Neoclassical, Baroque, Greek and Roman styles, with statues of famous Hungarian figures from all periods neatly arranged in the halls, and colorful frescoes reflecting history hanging on the surrounding walls.
The building is magnificent and extravagant, and it is said that more than 40 kilograms of gold alone were used in the renovation, and the cold water air conditioning system used in it led the world trend at that time. Even today, this majestic building remains the pride of Hungary and has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Today, the building is the seat of the Hungarian Parliament and the Prime Minister's office, as well as an important meeting place for foreign guests.
Kossuth Square
Outside the Reichstag, the famous Kossuth Square is the place where foreign heads of state are welcome for ceremonies. The square is very solemn and solemn. The square is flanked by a giant statue of a Hungarian national hero, a bronze statue of Kossuth, the leader of the 1848 struggle for freedom, on the left, and an equestrian statue of the 18th-century national hero, Rakozi Ferenc, on the right.
After visiting the Houses of Parliament, we drove to the famous Fisherman's Bastion. Located in the Old Town of Buda next to the beautiful Danube, the Fisherman's Bastion is a set of stone buildings that mix Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. When the Hungarians first settled here, it was a tribe of fishermen, and in the Middle Ages it became a fishing market, surrounded by walls fortified with bunkers and guarded by fishermen, hence the name of the Fisherman's Bastion. The current Fisherman's Bastion was built in 1895-1920 and was partially damaged during World War II and restored after the war.
The Fisherman's Bastion, with its beautiful arcades, gentle minarets, and exquisite statues, is very bright, harmonious and magnificent. The whole group of buildings is divided into two floors, north and south. On the ground floor is the verandah, connected by a beautiful arched doorway with a twisting loop; The upper floor is 7 conical towers, which are undulating and scattered. On the south side of the complex is a 54-metre-high bronze equestrian statue of King St. István, the founding monarch of Hungary.
Statue of King St. István in Fisherman's Bastion
Ascend to the castle for an unobstructed view of Budapest, with the blue sky and the blue Danube sparkling; The whole city is wrapped and surrounded by lush trees, flowers, and meadows; Palaces, churches, and museums are scattered and look particularly neat and bright in the bright sun. Today, the Fisherman's Bastion is an important place for Budapest citizens to take a leisurely stroll and is a favorite place for couples. Some couples kiss, kiss and caress in the sun, completely oblivious to the tourists around them. An interesting survey shows that young people have the highest rate of first kisses at Fisherman's Bastion.
Matthias Church
After saying goodbye to the Fisherman's Bastion, we head to the Matthias Church. Matthias Church was built between 1255 and 1269 AD during the reign of King Béla IV and is one of the landmarks of Budapest. In 1458, the famous Hungarian king Matthias took the throne and held a ceremony of thanksgiving to God here, and then King Matthias held two more weddings here, hence the name of the church. Later, the coronation ceremonies of the successive kings of Hungary were held here, so it is also known as the "Coronation Church". During the Turkish occupation in the 16th century, the church was burned and later used as a mosque by the Turks.
Sculpture of the Virgin Mary in her arms on the Porta Maria
What we see today is a Gothic church with a round front and a back, rebuilt between 1874 and 1896. The façade of the church faces west, and the main entrance is called "Maria's Gate", and there is a sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding the Holy Child on the forehead. On either side of the gate there are two asymmetrical conical minarets, the white conical south tower called the Matthias Tower, about 80 meters high, and the bell tower at the top.
The whole tower is carved and decorated, clear and exquisite, and is the most beautiful and attractive part of the church. The sarcophagus of King Béla IV and Princess is housed in the Matthitha. To the north, surrounded by four small minarets, the prismatic minaret is the Berau Tower, which is short and thick, in contrast to the beautiful and upright Matthias Tower.
Interior of Matthias Church
The interior of the church is resplendent with 7 large stained glass windows behind the altar forming a huge semicircle, no matter how strong the light from the outside, the stained glass windows will soften the light and make the statue of the Virgin more dignified and kind. Organ recitals are now held regularly in the church.
Buda Royal Palace
Next, we will visit the Buda Palace. The Buda Royal Palace is located on the Castle Hill on the Buda side, so it is also known as the "Castle Palace". The palace is bordered by the Danube River in the east and is surrounded by mountains and rivers. The royal palace is complemented by the nearby Matthews Church and the Fisherman's Bastion. The Buda Palace has gone through a history of being built and destroyed, and destroyed and built.
The palace was built during the reign of King Béla IV (1235-1270) and was mainly used as a fortress.
In 1241, the Mongol military commander Batu (Genghis Khan's eldest grandson, cousin of Kublai Khan) led an army westward and swept Hungary, defeating King Béla IV and burning the royal palace.
When the Mongol army withdrew in 1242, the population of Hungary was reduced by a third. It was rebuilt and enlarged during the Anjou dynasty (1270-1382), and reached its peak in the days of King Matthias (1458-1490).
At the end of the 15th century, it became one of the most splendid royal palaces in Europe, when the entire palace was built in the Gothic style.
When the Turks invaded and occupied Buda in 1541, the palace fell into Turkish hands and the treasures were stolen. During the 150 years of Turkish occupation, it experienced earthquakes, explosions and fires at ammunition depots, which were later repaired several times. As a result, the fortifications and fortresses of the royal palace are currently in the Mediterranean Turkish style.
In 1686 it was burned to ashes.
In the 18th century, it was partially rebuilt, and in the mid-19th century, the former palace was restored and expanded, becoming a huge baroque complex with 860 rooms.
During the Second World War, the Germans had their headquarters in Buda. By the end of the war, the palace and its interior had been burned down.
It was rebuilt in 1948.
Today, the palace occupies a third of the castle area and is a magnificent example of Hungarian history and architectural features, including the Gothic Basilica, the Tower of Eastvand, the Chapel of the Royal Palace and the Imperial Gardens, which are now used as museums. There is a fountain in the palace, named "King Matthish's Fountain", which has a hunting statue of King Matthish.
Fountain of King Matthias
Statue of Grand Duke Eugenie
In the Imperial Garden stands a equestrian statue of Grand Duke Eugenie, the military commander who liberated Buda in 1686, and a statue of Tujur, the mythical bird of the ancient Hungarians, at the gate of the garden. The east wing of the palace is the Castle Museum, the Budapest History Museum. The palace also houses the Hungarian National Gallery, the Museum of the Hungarian Workers' Movement and the State Széchenyi Library. To the south of the palace, there are also ancient buildings such as the Gothic gate tower and the Renaissance Round Castle with a diameter of 40 meters. When we visit the streets of the old city, the dense bullet holes left by the Second World War are still clearly visible. A Buda palace is a condensed history of the rise and fall of Hungary.
Heroes' Square
In the afternoon we visit Heroes' Square. Heroes' Square is the most majestic square in Budapest, with the 36-meter-high "Millennium Monument" in the center of the square, which was built in 1896 to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of the Hungarian settlement. The top of the stele is the statue of Gabriel the Archangel, and the stele is surrounded by a giant bronze statue of the leaders of the seven tribes of ancient Hungary, led by the leader of the Magyar tribe, Arbad. At the back of the monument there are two symmetrical curved colonnades, and in the middle of the colonnade there are statues of 14 Hungarian kings and national heroes. The ironclad warrior rode a horse, holding a shield and a sword, and looked majestic.
On the top of the outer columns of the left and right colonnades, there are a group of carvings. The right group represents labor and happiness, and the left group represents knowledge and glory. On the top of the inner column, there are also two sculptures, one is a carriage heading to the field, which means war, and the other is a carriage traveling safely, symbolizing peace. The colonnade is often compared to the Hungarian "Temple of the Great Men of History".
The municipal park across from Heroes' Square is a large forest park, because it was a weekend on the day we visited, and the park was full of families relaxing leisurely. I suddenly realized that in addition to the beauty of the scenery, Budapest also has the beauty of people, that is, the peace and tranquility of the people. For a nation that has endured many vicissitudes, peace and tranquility are so precious.
The ancient capital of Esdelgom
Bathed in the sun, we drive along the blue Danube River to Esdergom, the ancient capital of Hungary. Esdelgorm is located about 60 kilometers from Budapest, on the banks of the Danube River on the border between Hungary and Slovakia. With a total length of 2,860 km, the Danube is the second largest river in Europe, flowing through nine countries, making it the most of the countries in the world. There are many beautiful cities on both sides of the Danube, and they are like bright pearls, inlaid in this blue streamer. The Danube makes a big bend in Esdelgom and flows from west to east to north to south, winding like a blue streamer across the Hungarian land.
After a little more than an hour's drive, we arrived in Esdergom. Esdelgorm was the capital of Hungary and later became the seat of the Holy See. It was inhabited as early as the Stone Age. From 172 to 180 A.D., the Roman emperor and ascetic Malchus Aurelivos lived here, and the twelfth volume of his famous book "Ancient Thoughts" was written here. At the end of the 10th century, Esztergom became the seat of the Hungarian court, where the founding king of Hungary, St. Istvan, was born and crowned in 1001. At the end of the 12th century, the court chapel was burned, rebuilt in 1288, and then burned again. Since then, the city has been rebuilt and destroyed many times, and the current city and main buildings are mostly rebuilt after the Second World War.
Esztergom Cathedral
The most famous attraction in Esdergorm is the Cathedral of Esztergom, which was built in 1822 and took more than 30 years to complete, making it the largest and highest church in Hungary. The vault of the chapel is 71 meters high and 118 meters deep. In August 1856, the Esztergom Cathedral was inaugurated in the presence of Emperor Ferenc Josef of Austria and the dignitaries of Hungary, as well as the famous Hungarian musician Liszt, who conducted his Mass for the cathedral.
In fact, the work was not completely completed at that time, and the civil works were not completed until the end of 1869, after which the interior and exterior decoration were carried out for many more years. Italian, German, Austrian and Hungarian sculptors and painters were involved in reliefs, sculptures and paintings. The majestic and elegant cathedral welcomes visitors from the Danube Bay from the front with its huge columns and a soaring central dome.
After the invasion of the Turks, the chapel was converted into a mosque, the statue was shattered, and the relief was destroyed to a complete extent. But the spectacular church itself survived the Turks and became the only church on Castle Hill. Later, the famous designer Bowk Janos restored more than 1,600 fragments of sculpture in the cathedral. The central dome was newly built during the restoration, and the statue of the king was made by Pietro de Vidovar in 1875. Although the church has been added and expanded since then, the chapel designed by Bauk Janos remains one of the most prestigious works of Hungarian Renaissance architecture.
We climb the staircase to the top of the church's vaults, where we have a panoramic view of Esztergom and the meandering Danube River like a blue ribbon in the wind. Not far from the church, the flow changes from west to east to north to south, forming a beautiful bend, and the red-tiled houses of the Slovak border town in Hebei Province are particularly charming in the sunlight. Stepping down from the vault of the church, we crossed the Hungarian-Slovak border bridge to the Slovak side, and from the north bank of the Danube, we were impressed by the sparkling Danube and the majestic cathedral.
[Picture and text transferred from: Galaxy Joy Reading.]
Author: Zhang Linchu
Editor: "The Diplomat Says Things" Jia Jia]