Jókai Garden Budapest
Urban natural reserve
Iulia from Budapest
The Jókai-kert (garden) may be small, but it belongs to the Duna-Ipoly National Park, and is, as such, a protected area which gives a home to several species of birds, insects and inquisitive squirrels as well. The garden belonged to famous novelist Mór Jókai, who bought the abandoned stone quarry in 1853. He then proceeded to plant vines and fruit trees, and also encircled the garden with large trees, such as maples and ash trees, to protect it from the strong winds which are still typical for the area-something you will find out if you make the rather arduous climb on foot: moving westwards from Déli station, it takes you through scenic neighbourhoods with great vistas and lasts about an hour and a half at a leisurely pace. Lazier nature lovers can take buses 21/21A or 212, getting off at the Városkút stop.
The garden can be visited for free during opening hours, but there is a small fee (600 forints) for the bird exhibition. Guided tours, birthday events and wedding photography packages are also available for those interested. On the Pest-facing slope, which comes with a fabulous view of the city, there is a small vineyard, with vines brought from several famous vineyards from within the current Hungarian borders and beyond. The aim is to recreate the once-famous Buda red wine, a mixture of the Csóka grape type, traditionally found in the area, the Kadarka, brought from south of the Danube by Serbian settlers and the Kékfrankos.
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