The famous citadel is located atop Gellért Hill. It was built by the Habsburgs, one of the most powerful dynasties in Europe during the Middle Ages and the Modern Era. The main purpose of this structure was to control Budapest and, if necessary, suppress revolutionary unrest 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 this from happening again, construction of the Citadel began in 1850. Four years later, an Austrian garrison was stationed there.
The length of the fortress is 220 m, and the height of its walls is 16 m. Moreover, compared with the original plan, the construction was never fully completed.
In 1867, a compromise agreement was reached between Austria and Hungary, according to which the Austrian garrison no longer needed to remain in the citadel. The troops left the fort. Inspired local residents rushed to dismantle the fortress, but fortunately they did not get any farther than the upper part of the entrance.
During the Second World War, the citadel was badly damaged, and it has not yet been possible to restore it completely. However, inside you will find the Military Museum, which contains many archival photographs and wax figures depicting the assault of 1944.
