Page 76 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

74  BUD APEST AREA B Y AREA GELLÉR T HILL AND T ABÁN  75

1 Gellért Hotel and Baths Complex Sun Terraces
Situated in the sunniest VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
spot, these terraces are
Between 1912 and 1918, this hotel and spa was built in a popular place for Practical Information
the modernist Secession style (see p87) at the foot of drying off in summer. Szent Gellért tér. Map 4 D3.
Gellért Hill. The architects of the hotel were Ármin Tel (1) 466 61 66. ^ 7 -
0 = Baths: Kelenhegyi út 4.
Hegedűs, Artúr Sebestyén and Izidor Sterk. The earliest Open 6am–8pm daily. & ^
reference to the existence of healing waters at this spot 7 ∑ budapestspas.hu
dates from the 13th century. During the reign of King Transport
András II and in the Middle Ages a hospital stood on the q Szent Gellért tér. @ 7.
site. Baths built here by the Ottomans were mentioned v 19, 41, 47, 49, 56.
by the renowned Turkish travel writer of the day, Evliya
Çelebi. Severely damaged in 1945, the hotel was restored
and modernized after World War II. Today it has several Outdoor Wave Pool
An early swimming pool with a
restaurants and cafés. The baths complex includes an wave mechanism, built in 1927,
institute of water therapy, set within Secession interiors is situated at the back of the
but with modern facilities. complex, looking towards
Gellért Hill behind.
. Baths
Two separate baths, one for Eastern-Style Towers
men and one for women, The architects who designed
are identically arranged. the hotel gave its towers and
In each there are three turrets a characteristically
plunge pools, with water at Oriental cylindrical form.
different temperatures, a
sauna and a steam bath.
Main Staircase
The landings of the
main staircase have
stained-glass windows
by Bozó Stanisits,
added in 1933. They
illustrate an ancient
Hungarian legend
about a magic stag,
recorded in the poetry
of János Arany.

Balconies
The balconies fronting the hotel’s rooms
have fanciful Secession balustrades that are
decorated with lyre and bird motifs.
Restaurant Terrace
From this first-floor terrace, diners can
appreciate a fine view of Pest. On the
. Entrance Hall ground and first floors of the hotel there
KEY The interiors of the hotel, like . Main Façade is a total of four cafés and restaurants.
the baths, have kept their Behind the hotel’s imposing façade are attractive
1 Hot pool with medicinal original Secession decor, with recreational facilities and a health spa that is also open
spa water elaborate mosaics, stained- to non-guests. The entrance to the baths is around to
glass windows and statues. the right from the main entrance, on Kelenhegyi út.
For hotels and restaurants see pp264–269 and pp276–285

074-075_EW_Hungary.indd 74 18/09/17 3:39 pm 074-075_EW_Hungary.indd 75 18/09/17 3:39 pm