August is a good time to go on a trip, right? Surely many of you will be on those summer vacation days, so it is a luxury for the getaway that we want to propose today. It is precisely around these dates that Hungarians celebrate their national holiday. Parades, horseback rides, long nights and fireworks castles that, in Budapest, are named after the Festivities of San Esteban.
Stephen I was the first who, at the beginning of the eleventh century, managed to reunite all the Magyar tribes under the same nation, which made him the first king of Hungary, being crowned in the year 1.000 by Pope Sylvester II. That Holy Crown with which he was crowned is still preserved and is a symbol of the nation. You can see it in the building of Parliament of Budapest.
Canonized in the year 1083, his remains rest in the St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest, where in one of the chapels the relic of his right hand is preserved, the most holy relic of Hungary and for which the Hungarians feel special devotion. That is why, every August 20, Hungary celebrates the founding of the Hungarian State, hence the national holiday that takes place and to which we want to invite you this year.
The festivities start very early, on August 20 at 08.30:XNUMX in the morning, with the raising of the Hungarian flag in front of the Parliament building. That day will culminate with a large fireworks display on the Danube, next to the Chain Bridge and the Isabel Bridge. Although, of course, you can see it from anywhere in the city looking up at the sky.
One of the main acts of the festivities is the procession of the relic of Saint Stephen's right hand around the Basilica. There are other series of events, such as a medieval archery show, theaters, airshows with the Red Bull Air Race over the Danube ...
But possibly one of the events that attracts the most public is the Handicraft Market and the Festival of Popular Arts, which takes place on the hill of the Buda Castle for four days. The most important artisans in the country come here to sell their products and show their skills. In addition to attending these parties, you can take home a good memory in the form of souvenirs.
Needless to say, Festivities of Saint Stephen in Budapest they are possibly the best excuse we have to get closer to this wonderful city. Also, being in August, I think we have a better chance of coming, right?
Photo Via Teacollection blog