One of the most thrilling things for me, aside from simply being back in a land that I love, was finding missing pieces in my research--like realizing the current Buda castle is three times the size of the castle that would have stood there in 1848. (This block, below, is essentially the only part of the castle that existed then--not the gaudy dome that everyone knows from pictures of the city).
But there were other discoveries that thrilled me because most tourists had no idea of their significance.
Like finding the Karolyi palace, where Karolina Karolyi (an ardent patriot who makes a cameo appearance in my book) lives.
Or Cafe Pilvax, where the young men of March planned their revolution (though the current incarnation looks nothing like the pictures I've seen). It was just around the corner from our apartment.
Or this: this lovely building is the Vigado, some kind of music hall. But it was
significant to me because it was one of those aha! research moments. I'd
been trying to find out where the Redoute was, a public ballroom used
frequently in 19th century Budapest. In a local guidebook our host left
in the apartment, I discovered why I couldn't find the ballroom. The
original building had been destroyed by canon fire during the 1849 siege
of Budapest: this was built on the site.
Probably my favorite discovery, though, was this little
street not far from Buda castle. There are some lovely baroque palaces
there: this is one of them, though in the 19th century it was used as a
prison to house political prisoners, and I use it in my story as the
prison that my heroine has to fight her way to get to. So imagine, if
you will, this seemingly pedestrian street filled with soldiers (and
maybe a dragon or griffin or two).
There's nothing like visiting the real location you have set your story in! These pictures are wonderful, and I know how thrilled you must have been with each discovery of a special place in your book. I felt the same way when I visited the Pyramid of the Sun as research for one of my books. :)
ReplyDeleteOoh, that sounds like such a wonderful place to visit! So fun--if only we could convince our publishers to *pay* for those trips for us.
DeleteWOW, what a great trip. I've always wanted to go there. My brother has been a couple of times, because his job to him to Hungary. His company has a factory there. He went to Vienna too and took pictures. Isn't it odd how you can go to a place and well, you can feel the size of it. Even though you know it, somehow standing there orientates you into a different perspective. I am so looking forward to your book. I see you read Brodi Ashton. I loved her series. It's one of my favorites. So excited for you.
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