"Dear sweet Mother of God. We are in Eastern Europe." I mean... no, Sir, it's Central Europe, and it's not Bratislava, Slovakia (in fact, Pozsony, Hungary) but Budapest, Hungary on vintage Life Magazine photos. What a gorgeous city I live in! I have no time neither a happy pocket full of money to go to remote places right now so I applied for a journey in time instead.

The old Elisabeth Bridge, built between 1898 and 1903 was the longest suspension bridge of it's time with a single span of 290 meters (954 feet). It was blown by the retreating German troops at the end of WWII and regretfully it could not be rebuilt in its original form unlike the rest of the bridges of Budapest. It looks to have been a more likeable structure than the new one, though I think the new cable bridge's refined lines create a classy, aerial impression too, and this  impression has become more  noticeable since November 2009 when Lady Elisabeth received a high-end  lighting-gown (if you click the Life gallery below the photo which follows this one is depicting the construction of the new bridge in 1961-1963).

Other rare captures in the gallery are the everyday life scenes like the 1900's photo taken of fruit mongers inside Central Market (you can have a close look at the riveted iron structures you see above the monger's heads here and here) or a pair of lovely Hungarian faces (beautiful cuman cheekbones, manly moustaches).

And many more fine details... Budapest inhabitants definitely should claim back traditionally dressed Royal Guards, the impressive double-wing staircase of the Palace (in reality, a proper renovation of the whole Royal Palace is an absolute must) and those subway terminals at Vörösmarty Square (formerly Gisela Square) to be rebuilt.

And yes, I do claim coaches back too.

Actually, I just recalled James A. FitzPatrick's classic Traveltalk in Technicolor. Worth to watch it from time to time.

And here is Life's Gallery.

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A hozzászólások a vonatkozó jogszabályok  értelmében felhasználói tartalomnak minősülnek, értük a szolgáltatás technikai  üzemeltetője semmilyen felelősséget nem vállal, azokat nem ellenőrzi. Kifogás esetén forduljon a blog szerkesztőjéhez. Részletek a  Felhasználási feltételekben és az adatvédelmi tájékoztatóban.