Detailed review by Praskipark
Praskipark
Warsaw, Poland93%
Andrássy Avenue is one of my favourite boulevards in Budapest but there is another colourful street that is worth visiting for lots of reasons - its name is Váci utca. Why is it interesting? There is always something happening here throughout the year. Váci utca is a pedestrian precinct which emerges from the northern side of Vörösmarty Square. During the day most activity focuses on the exclusive shops and in the evening on the many bars, restaurants, nightclubs and gambling houses that thrive in and around the Váci utca. There are numerous characters dotted around the precinct selling hand woven goods, embroidered cloths, furs and leather goods. These ethnic Hungarians are from Romanian Transylvania, trying to make a few bob and keep the wolf from the door. The precinct would be a less colourful place without these bright and cheerful souls.
Walking along Váci utca you soon become acquainted with the hustle and bustle of a modern 21st century capital city as well as a look back at its history. At the first side street you will see evidence of the medieval town wall that marked the municipal border of Pest until 1789. Then, the area around the tower known as the Vaco kup became so overcrowded by the ever growing population that the tower and walls had to be demolished. There is a marker on the plaster which recalls the original city boundaries.
You won't be able to miss Number 9 on Váci utca. A wonderful building which has a lavish Art Nouveau interior and is home of the Pest Theatre where classical drama is popular. The theatre was once owned by the Inn of Seven Electors and a young Franz Liszt performed here.
The building at number 11, Thonet House, is worth a peep because of its Art Nouveau facade of zsolnay tiles. Very unusual colourings here - at first you see the rich browns and tans and then the shades of green and gold shine through. The Hermes Fountain is another elegant structure to take photos of especially the statue.
Budapest was rather late in introducing Postmodern architecture and one of the first examples is the Hotel Taverna which was built in 1985. Across the street the Millenium Centre is a must for shoppers as the ground floor is occupied by designer boutiques.
Back on the left of the street if you turn into Haris köz. The word, köz means alleyway/passageway and at the end of the19th century a busines trader opened this alleyway to the public as a way of increasing the value of his property. The law at the time stated that he had to close the alley for one day each year if he wanted to keep his ownership rights.
From the right side of the alleyway you are able to enter the ornate and cavernous Párisi udvar (Paris Shopping Arcade) with one of the most beautiful stained glass cupolas I've come across in this part of Europe. This really is a beautiful arcade but to appreciate it fully you should enter from Kígyó utca which runs parallel to Haris köz. There is a main tourist office in this building (IBUSZ) and they offer an extensive range of services.
Váci utca may not be as elegant and attractive as Andrássy Avenue but there are one or two stunning buildings to see and the precinct is always animated with allsorts of colourful characters.
Váci utca8
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