Citadella is an citadel located upon the top of the strategic Gellért Hill in Budapest. The fortress was built in 1851 by Julius Jacob von Haynau, a commander of the Habsburg Monarchy, and designed by Emmanuel Zitta and Ferenc Kasselik, after the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. It occupies almost the entire 235 metres high plateau. The fortress is a U-shaped structure built about a central courtyard, being 220 metres long, 60 metres wide, and 4 metres tall. It had a complement of sixty cannons.

Actually built by Hungarian forced labourers, it was finished in 1854. In June 1854 Austrian troops settled in the citadel. After the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 and the establishment of Austria–Hungary, the Hungarians demanded the destruction of the Citadel, but the garrison troops left only in 1897, when the main gate was symbolically damaged. It was not until late 1899 when the city took possession of the Citadel. A few months later, in 1900, the walls were demolished.

In the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, Soviet troops occupied the Citadella. Tanks fired down into the city during the assault that overthrew the Nagy-led Hungarian government.

From the top of the Citadel, there is a panoramic view over the city, the Danube and its eight bridges. On the plateau and nearby are other points of interest like the Liberty Statue, Hotel Gellért, the Gellért Baths and the Gellért Hill Cave.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 1851
Category: Castles and fortifications in Hungary

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Tanvi Alwe (4 years ago)
It's a tiring hike with structured staircase..but buses and cars go up too..u get yummy hot chocolates and coffee water etc at the top. The views from the top are amazing!!
Sanjay Karki (4 years ago)
If you want to see whole Budapest in only one glimpse then this place is for you. Totally amazing to be here during sunrise and sunset. One of the best place of Budapest. If you are visiting Budapest then this is the most important place to visit in this beautiful city. Comfortably accessible by tram and little walk from Metro 4. This place is also known as the eye of Budapest too. Statue at the top represent the freedom & protection of this city. This place worth five out of five star.
PetrayVirus (4 years ago)
Worth the walk to the top, breathtaking scenic views over Budapest. Pack a water bottle as when you get to the top you'll feel like a cool refreshment. Definitely worth the walk and effort.
Ajay D (4 years ago)
Can only describe this attraction as a testament to the city of Budapest and its people. The view compounded by the tranquil atmosphere and historic past makes this a worth while visit.
Pál Máté (4 years ago)
The best view in Budapest, it worth to go up during the day and after sunset too. There are many walking path on the mountain they have good atmosphere an nice view too. If you have only a few hours in the city you shouldn't miss this place!
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Monte d'Accoddi

Monte d"Accoddi is a Neolithic archaeological site in northern Sardinia, located in the territory of Sassari. The site consists of a massive raised stone platform thought to have been an altar. It was constructed by the Ozieri culture or earlier, with the oldest parts dated to around 4,000–3,650 BC.

The site was discovered in 1954 in a field owned by the Segni family. No chambers or entrances to the mound have been found, leading to the presumption it was an altar, a temple or a step pyramid. It may have also served an observational function, as its square plan is coordinated with the cardinal points of the compass.

The initial Ozieri structure was abandoned or destroyed around 3000 BC, with traces of fire found in the archeological evidence. Around 2800 BC the remains of the original structure were completely covered with a layered mixture of earth and stone, and large blocks of limestone were then applied to establish a second platform, truncated by a step pyramid (36 m × 29 m, about 10 m in height), accessible by means of a second ramp, 42 m long, built over the older one. This second temple resembles contemporary Mesopotamian ziggurats, and is attributed to the Abealzu-Filigosa culture.

Archeological excavations from the chalcolithic Abealzu-Filigosa layers indicate the Monte d"Accoddi was used for animal sacrifice, with the remains of sheep, cattle, and swine recovered in near equal proportions. It is among the earliest known sacrificial sites in Western Europe.

The site appears to have been abandoned again around 1800 BC, at the onset of the Nuragic age.

The monument was partially reconstructed during the 1980s. It is open to the public and accessible by the old route of SS131 highway, near the hamlet of Ottava. It is 14,9 km from Sassari and 45 km from Alghero. There is no public transportation to the site. The opening times vary throughout the year.