Rudas Ancient Baths Reopened

Built in the 16th century by the Turks and as of yet scruffy, historical Rudas Baths house has finally been reopened after renovation. Now the exterior of the historical building, with the charcteristic dome and hexagonal thermal pool finally matches the interior, renovated in 2006.
Deputy Mayor Lszl Szke said the restoration of the Rudas to its former glory was in line with a policy of winning back Budapests international reputation as a spa city. EU development funds worth HUF 393 million (now EUR 1.38 million) covered four-fifths of the redevelopment. Other baths have undergone or are undergoing renovation around the capital. Hopefully, nearby Rc baths in Tabn area will open in the spring, as its restoration and incorporation into a new hotel was completed this year, though the baths remain closed. Further along the thermal water-rich Buda embankment, the venerable Kirly (Kings) Baths remains shabby and in need of renovation. The Lukcs complex near Margit hd (bridge) recently underwent a thorough makeover and is preferred by many locals to the more tourist-packed Szchenyi Baths near Heroes Square in Pest.