The famous citadel stands atop Gellert Hill. It was built by the Habsburgs, one of the most powerful dynasties in Europe during the Middle Ages and the Modern Age. The main purpose of this structure was to control Budapest and, if necessary, suppress revolutionary uprisings among the residents of the Hungarian capital.
The decision to build the citadel was made after the events of 1849, when the people stormed Buda Castle and the revolution began. To prevent anything like that from happening again, construction of the Citadel began in 1850. Four years later, an Austrian garrison was stationed there.
The fortress is 220 m long, and the walls are 16 m high. Moreover, compared with the original plan, the construction was never fully completed.
In 1867, a compromise agreement was reached between Austria and Hungary, under which the Austrian garrison no longer needed to remain in the citadel. The troops left the fort. Excited local residents rushed to dismantle the fortress, but fortunately they got no farther than the upper part of the entrance.
During the Second World War, the citadel was heavily damaged, and it has not yet been fully restored. However, inside you will find the Military Museum, which contains many archival photographs and wax figures depicting the 1944 assault.
