Many were shocked to see that one of Hungary’s main tourist sites, the Fisherman’s Bastion, was sealed off in January. Additionally, the cords were covered with black curtains as if a forensic investigation was underway or something even worse behind them. The reason for this measure was that the local government made it pay to visit the central part of the lower level of the Fisherman’s Bastion and increased the entrance fees. The controversial decision sparked the first public debate of the new year.
Higher fees, extension of the paid zone on the Fisherman’s Bastion
The local government of Budavár, the 1st district of Budapest, agreed to the expansion of the paid zone and the increase in entrance fees during its December session. The mayor, supported by Fidesz László Böröczsaid that the initiative came from the company responsible for operating the Fisherman’s Bastion area. The local government-owned company proposed the expansion of the fee zone and initiated the increase in entrance fees according to inflation because its task is to propose measures to the local government that can increase revenue.
The original cords:
Access to the upper level of the Fisherman’s Bastion terrace has been prohibited for years. The full entry price until December 31 was HUF 1,200 (EUR 3), while the discounted price was 600 HUF (EUR 1.5). In December, the local government increased these prices to HUF 1,500 (EUR 3.62) and 750 XNUMX HUF (EUR 1.81) from January. Even the local opposition supported the initiative.
A restaurant occupies most of the terrace
In winter, the entire lower level of the Fisherman’s Bastion is accessible to tourists. However, during the tourist season (spring-autumn), a restaurant occupies two sides of the lower level of Fisherman’s Bastion, due to a contract signed with the local government in 2020, valid until 2025.
Thus, only the central part of the bastion is accessible to tourists or Hungarians to enjoy the panoramic view of the Danube and Budapest. Of course, if you buy something at the restaurant and sit there, you can enjoy the wonders of Budapest from there. Thanks to this view, Budapest has been voted one of the most visited cities in the world. the most instagrammable placesIt is therefore not surprising that the central part of Fisherman’s Bastion is a tourist hotspot and millions of tourists visit it every year.
In January, the municipality extended the paying zone to this part of the territory, which caused a public outcry. The entry price has been the same since January 1, either 3.6 or 1.8 euros. Additionally, payment can only be made electronically, as cash is not accepted.
Strange cords removed after public outcry
Additionally, local authorities installed cordons covered in black draperies, making the scene unworthy of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Even the mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony criticized the decisioncalling it absurd. The newly elected and Fidesz-backed mayor who came to power on October 1, László Böröcz, became aware of the problem and ordered the dismantling of the cordon this morning.
He said the extension of the toll zone was a pilot project that will take place this month. The local government’s decision allows this period to be extended for another month, but it seems that Böröcz is determined to do it without cords.
Will Fisherman’s Bastion remain accessible only to foreign tourists?
Some Hungarian media have complained about the need for Hungarians to pay to see the Danube and Budapest in their own capital. Some said such a measure should only apply to foreign tourists, meaning Hungarians with ID could enter freely, while foreigners could only do so after paying the fee. entry. However, without suitable barriers, such a measure is unimaginable.
During the December session of the local government, the opposition accepted the increase in taxes in line with inflation but criticized the extension of the charging zone. She said the local government should instead implement the provisions of the contract it signed with the restaurant operating on both sides of the Fisherman’s Bastion. The contract implied a crucial obligation for the restaurant owner: the catering establishment had to allow tourists to enter even the rented areas to visit the city.
But experience has shown that the restaurant (which rented the premises from the municipality) did not respect this obligation. Former opposition-backed mayor Márta V. Naszályi said that even she was asked to leave the restaurant by the team when she wanted to go to the bastion’s lower terrace.
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The featured image: depositphotos.com
