Budapest is one of the most extraordinary cities of the world. If you arrive here for a couple of days, or you have more time to spend here, we are sure that you agree with us, that the Hungarian capital is full of surprises. They say that Budapest has a million faces. These “faces” can be seen by those who participate at the special sightseeing walks of Imagine Budapest, which are exciting historical tours through Budapest’s less well-known parts, and hidden treasures that can’t be found in any guidebook.

Their aim is to show the city in its complexity by evoking the spirit of its past – within a contemporary scenery. Organized around special themes, their walks lead every participant of the walks beyond the façades and make them see what the holy places or hidden gardens can tell us about the life of Budapest. Their philosophy is that you can only understand a place if you become part of it, if only for a few hours.

photo:imaginebp.hu

If you decide to go for a walk organized by Imagine Budapest, you can see wonderful secret gardens, crime scenes from the past, or you can enjoy for example a much more jaunty tour, if you join “Sweet Life” walk. Or you can know more about the buildings and their decorations by participating the walking tour called “Message walls, or the secret language of the decorations of building in Budapest”.

The last one offers you entry to a magical world hidden before the eyes of the majority of tourists and locals, as well. Because it is high above eye level: the walls of many houses are adorned with flowers and vines, Hungarian folk motifs, domestic animals and beasts, and even men, women and ancient gods, all carved from stone. While these decorations are certainly pleasing to the eye, most of them carry a hidden message as well. During the walks, these messages and secret codes will be deciphered, and the tour guide sheds light on the personality, profession, interests, and marital status of the builder or occupant of the house.

During the 2-hour walking tour, the otherwise mute buildings confess the secrets and stories of their past. The meeting point of the sightseeing walk is in front of the Museum of Applied Arts (9th district Üllői út 33-37.)

The tour is available in English, as well. If you are interested in this walking tour, or you feel like participating another one, contact Imagine Budapest. They have several walking tours in their offer, some of them available in Hungarian and in English, too.

photo:imaginebp.hu