The Citadella is a historic fortification located on the top of Gellért Hill in Budapest, Hungary. It was built by the Austrian Empire after the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 to control and monitor the city. The Citadella is the highest point in Budapest and offers a panoramic view of the Danube and its bridges.
If you want to visit the Citadella, you need to buy a ticket that costs 1500 HUF (about 4.5 EUR) for adults and 750 HUF (about 2.25 EUR) for students and seniors. The ticket includes access to the bunker museum, where you can see wax statues and photos of the Second World War, when the Citadella was used as a military base by the Soviet troops.
The Citadella is open every day from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, except on Mondays, when it is closed. You can get there by bus number 27 from Móricz Zsigmond körtér or by walking up the hill from the Gellért Baths. The walk takes about 20 minutes and is steep, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water.
Some tips for visiting the Citadella are:
- Check the weather forecast before you go, as it can be windy and cold on the hill.
- Bring your camera or phone to take pictures of the stunning views.
- Visit the Liberty Statue, a monument dedicated to the heroes of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, which stands next to the Citadella.
- Explore the open-air display of Soviet weapons next to the Citadella’s wall.
- Enjoy a coffee or a snack at the café inside the Citadella.
There are also guided tours available for groups of at least 10 people, which cost 3000 HUF (about 9 EUR) per person and last about an hour. You can book a tour by calling +36 1 385 8413 or emailing info@citadella.hu.
One of the attractions of the Citadella is the list of statues of Hungarian kings and national leaders that are placed along the wall. Here are some of them:
- Stephen I, the first king of Hungary and a saint of the Catholic Church.
- Matthias Corvinus, a Renaissance king who expanded Hungary’s territory and culture.
- Lajos Kossuth, a leader of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 and a symbol of independence.
- Ferenc Deák, a statesman who negotiated the Compromise of 1867 that created Austria-Hungary.
- István Tisza, a prime minister who tried to prevent Hungary’s involvement in the First World War.
- Miklós Horthy, a regent who ruled Hungary between the two world wars.
- Imre Nagy, a prime minister who led the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 against Soviet domination.
