Budapest

East meets West. It is never more profound than here in Hungry where on the most western asian border two continents meet. Buda & Pest both sides of the Danube river ( Dabuse ) the Romantic figurativism meets the, clean mathematical designs of the arabs. For over 600 years this meeting place's influence has been unmistakable exploding on it's walls and castle walls, in song & dance.

Hungry. The first thing that will strike any novice is that Europe is ancient, beginning with 1,200 years ago. I am but a slow american, everything has three names, languages or references. That is because everything, every nation was ruled and overtaken at least four times. After it was concurred, they put their own tag on it. Their architecture is quite unlike their politics. To this day they build quite differently in stone, rock, built to last outlast any governments or temporary rulers that might inhabit them.

Everything building has presence, permanence. It is like living in a museum for the ages, build for tomorrow, not next week. I guess that there is great comfort in any kind of stability, or anything that remains lasting in their changing world. Their architecture reflects a constant and comfort. They have really taken the three Little Pigs to task, or the story from the bible where they shall build their foundations not upon sand, but build their fortress of solid rock. For me it began with all of those bright orange ceramic roofs ; even off even off in the obscure countryside the endless cobble stones streets and sidewalks as ordinary. The entire country is laid in beautiful details; in stone, terrace, statues in private domiciles, and wrought iron gates lovingly hand made. Lime stone veneer's, restaurant owners would do the most inventive things to try to spruce up these hard surfaces, as in using bicycles as planters. Vaulted ceilings are the norm, arched doorways a way of life, stone is their home. I never saw a flat , corporate ceiling.

Built to last the changing dynasties, conquers and inevitable rulers that will want to overrun them. The Turks overran them in 1453, it's Byzantine influence in their architecture remains into this day. They hold onto everything forever, for times sake, like their cherished families, and honor in today's changing worlds. It is because of their great sense of history. They are pack rats holding onto their identify, enduring through history within their masonry houses.

Time is.

Leo Lizard, co-inventor of the atom bomb was born and raised here.

All Photos property of byStrodl 2011