Citadella — Attraction in Budapest

CITADELLA At the summit of Gellert Hill stands the Citadella, which offers a magnificent panoramic view of the city. Adjacent to this area, the Liberty Statue stands as another notable landmark. The construction of the fortress was completed in 1854 by an Austrian Empire commander following the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. It encompasses nearly the entire plateau, rising to a height of 235 meters. The fortress takes the shape of a U, enclosing a central courtyard and measuring 220 meters in length, 60 meters in width, and 4 meters in height. It was equipped with sixty cannons. Following the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 and the establishment of Austria-Hungary, the Hungarians demanded the Citadel's destruction. However, the garrison troops vacated only in 1897, when the main gate was symbolically damaged. It wasn't until late 1899 that the city gained control of the Citadel, and a few months later, in 1900, the walls were demolished. During the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, Soviet forces occupied the Citadella and fired down into the city during the attack that toppled the Nagy-led Hungarian government. The hill's incline from the Danube side is traversed by a network of paths and stairs, leading directly to the Citadella. Regrettably, during our visit to the area, we came to the well but didn't drink, as both the fortress and the Liberty Statue were closed for...

When I visited, Citadella was temporarily closed, with railings around the main area, so you can’t walk right up to the Liberty Statue. But you can still see it clearly from just outside the barrier — and honestly, the view from there is stunning enough on its own.

The walk up Gellért Hill takes around 25–35 minutes, depending on your pace. It’s a steady, scenic climb with small resting points and viewpoints along the way where you can pause, catch your breath, and take in the city slowly revealing itself through the trees.

At the top, the Liberty Statue stands tall and calm, looking over Budapest. The area is beautifully kept — clean paths, open spaces, and a soft breeze that makes you just want to stay a little longer. The view of the Danube, the bridges, and the Parliament is truly special — especially around sunset when the whole city

Citadella isn’t just a viewpoint — it’s a calm escape right in the middle of the city, a place that makes you grateful.

Even with the gates closed, Citadella still feels open in spirit — a calm, elevated space where you can stand quietly and take in all of Budapest at once. 💙

🥾 Tips:

Still absolutely worth visiting while it’s closed — the view is unforgettable. Go at Sunset or early Morning for the best experience. Wear comfortable shoes; parts of the trail are uneven. Bring a bottle of water, especially in...

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A Budapesti Citadella története tele van izgalmas és érdekes eseményekkel, amelyek a Gellért-hegy tetején található erődítményhez kapcsolódnak. Az 1848-49-es szabadságharc leverése után, 1854-ben épült a Habsburg uralkodó parancsára, hogy megfélemlítse a pesti lakosságot. Az erőd falai között számos történelmi esemény zajlott, és a helyszín azóta is Budapest egyik leglátogatottabb turisztikai pontja.

Történelmi események és változások A Citadella eredetileg a Habsburg császárság hatalmának megerősítésére épült, és a magyarországi lázadások elfojtására szolgált. Az építkezés során több száz magyar munkás vett részt, akik közül sokan az építkezés során vesztették életüket. Az első világháború idején itt működött a város légvédelmi központja, a második világháborúban pedig a német és a szovjet csapatok is használták a Citadellát. A szovjet megszállás alatt a Citadella a Vörös Hadsereg egyik legfontosabb parancsnoki központja volt.

Mende-mondák és pletykák A Citadella körül számos mende-monda és pletyka kering. Az egyik legismertebb történet szerint a Citadella falai között kísértetek járnak, akik az építkezés során elhunyt munkások lelkei. Egy másik történet szerint a Citadella alatt titkos alagutak húzódnak, amelyek a város különböző pontjaira vezetnek.

Romantikus és pikáns történetek A Citadella romantikus helyszínként is ismert, ahonnan lenyűgöző kilátás nyílik a városra. Számos szerelmespár választja ezt a helyet eljegyzésük vagy esküvői fotózásuk helyszínéül. A helyszín pikáns történetei közé tartozik, hogy a második világháború alatt a Citadella falai között titkos találkozók zajlottak, ahol a katonák és a helyi lakosok szerelmi viszonyokat folytattak.

Filmforgatások A Citadella lenyűgöző panorámája és történelmi jelentősége miatt számos filmforgatás helyszíne volt. Itt forgatták például a “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” című film egyes jeleneteit, ahol a főszereplő, Tom Cruise, a Citadella falai között hajt végre izgalmas akciójeleneteket.

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The history of the Citadella in Budapest is filled with exciting and interesting events connected to the fortress located atop Gellért Hill. Built in 1854 by order of the Habsburg ruler after the suppression of the 1848-49 revolution, it was intended to intimidate the citizens of Pest. The fortress has witnessed numerous historical events and remains one of Budapest’s most visited tourist spots.

Historical Events and Changes Originally built to reinforce the power of the Habsburg Empire and suppress Hungarian uprisings, the Citadella saw the participation of hundreds of Hungarian workers during its construction, many of whom lost their lives. During World War I, it served as the city’s air defense center, and in World War II, both German and Soviet troops used the Citadella. During the Soviet occupation, it was one of the Red Army’s key command centers.

Legends and Rumors Many legends and rumors surround the Citadella. One of the most famous stories is that ghosts haunt the fortress, believed to be the spirits of workers who died during its construction. Another tale suggests that secret tunnels run beneath the Citadella, leading to various parts of the city.

Romantic and Spicy Stories The Citadella is also known as a romantic spot, offering breathtaking views of the city. Many couples choose this location for their engagements or wedding photoshoots. Among the spicy stories, during World War II, secret meetings took place within the Citadella’s walls, where soldiers and local residents engaged in love affairs.

Film Shoots Due to its stunning panorama and historical significance, the Citadella has been the site of numerous film shoots. For example, scenes from “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” were filmed here, featuring Tom Cruise performing thrilling action sequences within the Citadella’s walls.

Fotó: Fortepan...