Shooting Budapest – The City of Contrasts

A city of contrasting elements, Budapest is a shutterbug’s dream. With its various cultural influences, awe-inspiring architecture, and layers of history, it’s easy to create captivating compositions.

Manic Tours’ shooting packages are guaranteed to give you an adrenaline rush and unforgettable memories. But it’s important to follow safety rules when shooting real firearms.

The Danube Bridge

The Danube Bridge (Hungarian: Szechenyi lanchid) is the main railway and pedestrian bridge that spans the River Danube in Budapest, connecting Buda with Pest, the western and eastern parts of the city respectively. It is the oldest and most famous bridge in Hungary, a symbol of the historic Hungarian revolution of 1848–49.

The bridge is often used in filming as a backdrop for action scenes, especially those set in the early 20th century. Its significance was highlighted in the 1993 movie “The Great War” (Le grand Guerre), where it was used as a location for the scene where an Allied convoy crosses the bridge.

Along the edge of the River Danube near Szechenyi Istvan ter, there is a monument to Hungarian Jews shot and thrown into the water by members of the Arrow Cross Party police forces during the Holocaust in 1944. The memorial features sixty pairs of shoes in cast iron, tossed higgledy-piggledy along the shore.

The bridge is also a popular spot for Bollywood movie shooting. Several Bollywood movies including Raabta starring Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon, Force 2 featuring John Abraham with Sonakshi Sinha, and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam starring Salman Khan have been shot in the vicinity. Amir Khan’s latest release Dangal was also shot in and around the area.

St. Stephen’s Basilica

Sometimes pictures do not do a place justice, and this is certainly the case with St. Stephen’s Basilica. This enormous Roman Catholic church is dedicated to Hungary’s first King, and is a symbol of the nation’s resilience and recovery after the Second World War.

The massive structure was built in Neo-Classical style, and it took 54 years for it to be completed (the delay is partly due to the dome collapsing in 1868 and needing to be rebuilt). The building is awe-inspiring at any time, but especially when the sun streams through etchings on the windows to illuminate the intricate details.

As you walk around the interior, you will see numerous statues and works of art created by some of Hungary’s most renowned sculptors and painters. The main highlight is the Holy Right Chapel, which houses the mummified right hand of Saint Stephen – the namesake of the church and its most important relic.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can take a lift up to the dome and enjoy some of the most breathtaking views in Budapest. The spacious St. Stephen Square is also worth visiting, as it offers a number of terraced cafes and restaurants. In winter, the square hosts one of the city’s biggest Christmas markets, complete with ice skating and mulled wine. It is also the location for a number of organ concerts at the church.

The Chain Bridge

The Chain Bridge is one of the most iconic structures in Budapest. It was the first permanent bridge to span the Danube River, and it remains one of the city’s top attractions. It’s also known as the Szechenyi Bridge because it was designed by English civil engineer William Tierney Clark and named after Count Istvan Szechenyi, a politician who helped fund its construction.

The bridge was completed in 1849, and it features carved lions at both ends of the abutments. Sculptor Janos Marschalko created these figures, and he also adorned the abutments with the coats of arms of the Szechenyi and Sina families.

Today, the Chain Bridge is a popular place for tourists and locals to enjoy the beautiful scenery and views of the mighty river. It’s a great place to get some breathtaking photos, and the bridge is especially stunning at night.

The area around the Chain Bridge is perfect for sightseeing and walking, but you can also take a guided tour of the city’s top sites. You can also find plenty of good restaurants in the area. And if you’re looking for an even more memorable experience, consider booking a dinner cruise on the Danube River. Budapest’s dinner cruises are a must-do for all visitors to the city. They offer a delicious three-course meal and spectacular views of the city.shooting Budapest