While having lunch I was looking at my map trying to figure where else to go biking this afternoon. Nearby is the Jewish Synagogue which is either the largest in Europe or in Central/Eastern Europe.

I had tried going in 2007 but unfortunately it was closed that day. Checking their website they are also closed Saturdays for regular service and I wont have a chance to come back again but its worth seeing from the outside.

The architecture is interesting and a mix of several influences. Last time I didn't go round the back and this time noticed there were actually two buildings. You can also see the Jewish cemetery thru the railings as you walk round to the back.

The map also showed there are two other Synagogues in the side streets. The first was very easy to find with its two minarets sticking up. At the top were also two stone tablets with the ten commandments in Hebrew.

This one seemed to be in much poorer state of repair even though it was just a few doors from the main touristic Synagogue. Declining population may be a factor. This was is not open to the public.

I then made my way to Andrassy St which is a long boulevard with aristocratic homes, embassies, and upscale retail stores. It also has line 1 running under which is just an underground tram and the worlds first subway system. Today the street was closed to traffic which seemed strange.

At the opera house chairs were setup for a free outdoor performance probably in the evening. There were also costume characters performing a free outdoor opera. I guess doing it in childrens costumes such as these got peoples attention and would draw people in that wouldn't normally be interested in opera.

The outdoor stalls seemed to continue until Octagon which was the next major intersection. I didnt know if it would end but it seemed the street festival continued after the crossing. There were many delicious treats on display in some of the stalls

After the Octagon crossing the festival became more interactive with childrens outdoor games and events. In one they were doing acrobatic basketball displays doing high air somersaults once netting the ball.

In another area volunteers lined the pavement while stunt bicycle riders jumped over them

There now seemed to be tourism stalls. There were some countries such as Serbia, Kazakhstan, and Qatar. However, they were the only three so it seemed an odd assortment. Others were local tourism stalls for various provinces or for horseriding activities

As the street festival continued there were more outdoor food vendors cooking in giant outdoor pans and vats. It seemed I picked a lucky day to go biking with this long street festival. It seemed it was going all the way to Heroes Square at the top of Andrassy St.

Next came the beer and wine tents where things slowed down. Up to now I had been slowly riding my bike with no problems. I had to get off and start walking it as there were too many people going in all directions.

A couple of people banged into my bike so I was being really slow and there were other people walking with bikes. A lady with white pants brushed her leg on the tire and started brushing her pants and seemed angry. I tried to say sorry and asked if she was ok but I dont know if she heard or understood english.

I wanted to try to get out of the big crowd before a big fight starts where someone blames me for bashing the bike into them even though they werent looking where they are going.

When I got to Heroes Square things opened up again. I always take my picture here every time I come but unfortunately the whole square was closed off. I'm not sure what was going on but there was stadium style seating and tv crews

There was some sort of horseriding display but there was a big white curtain running all behind the seating so that people could not see unless they had tickets and were inside the ring. I dont think that was tourist friendly

As a tourist I did not know an event was taking place or where to buy tickets. They shouldnt have blocked everything off so that people without tickets could still see from a distance. This could be a great opportunity to showcase the city to visitors.

Luckily I found an opening where a big crowd was gathered in time to see a uniformed horseriding display. I then wanted to get away from the crowds into the park behind Heroes Square

It seems there were still more events going on in the park. I'm not sure what is special about today. Its not a public holiday and nobody mentioned anything about festivals on Saturday. The Chain Bridge had been closed to traffic so people could walk across and different things were taking place today.

Going back down Andrassy St I decided to go behind all the stalls to avoid the crowds. There were very large homes which are now galleries or embassies.

I took a turning down an interesting street which is infact the cities theatre district

I made it back to the Basilica where I had rented the bike from so wandered around a bit seeing some more of the city plaza's. One was near the Parliament building and had a view looking back as well as a statue of Ronald Raegan. There was another biking event going on in another park.

By now it was 4.30 so six hours of biking from 10am. I decided to return the bike and head home to start uploading pics. I walked back across the Chain Bridge which was still foot only traffic today.