Mount Gellert

Mount Gellert was named in honor of the Catholic saint Gerard of Hungary. When you hear the word mountain, your mind’s eye appears, if not Everest, then something equally impressive and difficult to achieve by ordinary people. But Mount Gellert is not like that at all: to overcome it you will need a pair of comfortable sneakers and the desire to conquer it. The height of the hill is only 235 meters, so you can go on an excursion with children and elderly relatives.

Attractions of Mount Gellert

The most important attraction of the hill was the magnificent bird's-eye views of Budapest and its surroundings. It is for them that most tourists go, armed with cameras and phones. But in addition to the beauty of the Hungarian capital, here you can get acquainted with the ancient history of a small European state.

Citadel

For a long time, Mount Gellert served as a field for growing vineyards. But even then, local residents dreamed of getting rid of the tyranny of the Habsburg dynasty, who considered the area their territory and the population their subjects. The first uprising against the Austrian authorities took place in 1849. The rebellion was successfully suppressed by regular troops, but the royal family had to think about building a fortress that could become a stronghold for loyal subjects in the event of subsequent expressions of discontent from ordinary peasants. They didn’t think long, and literally four years later the construction of a formidable citadel on the mountain was completed. The location was not chosen by chance: the commanding height made it possible to shell a significant area without causing much damage to the garrison.

The fortress served as a defensive structure for almost 17 years: in 1867, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was formed, in which the Hungarians began to be considered an equal people. The soldiers left the fortress, and local residents almost destroyed it in celebration. True, the fuse of emotions was only enough to destroy the gate. The citadel again provided its areas for cannons in 1956, when the Soviet government suppressed the uprising against the communist regime. Today the Citadel is closed to the public, but behind it there is a picturesque place for walks with a nice playground.

Philosophical Garden

The small space of the Philosophical Courtyard always amazes with its silence. Tourists rarely get here, and those who reach the cozy place can admire the figures of eight philosophers located around an imitation of the Earth. And this will give a vivid impression when visiting Mount Gellert.

Monuments

The first monument that travelers flock to is the Statue of Liberty. It is located very close to the ancient fortress and for a long time was considered a sign of the liberation of Hungary from the Nazis by the forces of the Red Army. Today the sculpture is dedicated to all those who gave their lives for the freedom of the country.

The monument to King Buda and Queen Pest symbolizes the unity of the two banks of the Danube. Few people know about the unusual location of this monument: right below it is the entrance to the capital's reservoir.

Cave Church

During the excursion, those who want to know the history of Mount Gellert are told about this church. It is believed that a long time ago, a monk-healer lived in the cave, who relieved people of ailments through thermal waters and healing mud. Later, the Catholic Church ranked it among the clique of saints, the natural grotto began to be called the Cave of St. John (named after the hermit), and in 1926 the Temple of the Paulines was opened here.

During the Second World War, a hospital was located in the dungeon, and when socialism was established, it was walled up completely. The temple was returned to believers in 1989, so now services are held here, and tourists can get inside for a small fee. Next to the cave there is another monument - to King St. Stephen.