Gellert Hill

                                                          View from Gellert Hill

The Gellert Hill offers one of the best views of Budapest, overlooking the Danube River. The hill was named after St. Gellert who came to Hungary as a missionary bishop around 1000 A.D. His goal was to convert Hungarians to Christianity. Many Hungarians did not like this idea. There are thoughts that some Hungarians who were not happy with St. Gellert’s mission rolled him down the hill in a barrel.

Gellert Monument

 

The Citadel sits on top of the Gellert Hill. It was built by the Austrian Habsburgs between 1850 and 1854 to help them control the city after the suppression of the Hungarian War of Independence. The Habsburgs were trying to show their power and control. They could view both the cities of Buda and Pest from the hill. When the Habsburgs left Budapest in 1867 because of the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, the ownership of the Citadel shifted to the city. They tore down part of the walls as a symbol of victory over the Austrians. The Citadel was used in WWII by the German SS regiment when they help the city at bay.

The Citadel

 

Today, the Gellert Hill in itself is a popular tourist place because of the beautiful panorama view it offers of Budapest. The Citadel is now used as a tourist hotel. Guests can look out at the beautiful city and the Danube Rover. The Cave Church and the Gellert Monument are both important attractions on the hill, also. Part of the drinking water supply of Budapest is stored in an inner reservoir within the hill. On August 20^th, fireworks are launched from the hill for the national holiday.

Cave Church

Gellert Hill

 

References

A View on Cities. (n.d.). Gellert Hill. In Budapest attractions. Retrieved from http://www.aviewoncities.com/budapest/gellerthill.htm

Budapest Tourist Guide. (n.d.). Gellert Hill-One of the best panoramic views of Budapest. In Things to see & do: Budapest sightseeing. Retrieved from http://www.budapest-tourist-guide.com/budapest-gellert-hill.html

Cave Church [Photograph]. (n.d.). Retrieved from A View on Cities website: http://www.aviewoncities.com/budapest/gellerthill.htm

Gellert Hill [Photograph]. (n.d.). Retrieved from A View on Cities website: http://www.aviewoncities.com/budapest/gellerthill.htm

Gellert Monument [Photograph]. (n.d.). Retrieved from A View on Cities website: http://www.aviewoncities.com/budapest/gellerthill.htm

Panoramic View [Photograph]. (n.d.). Retrieved from Budapest Tourist Guide website: http://www.budapest-tourist-guide.com/budapest-gellert-hill.html

The Citadel [Photograph]. (n.d.). Retrieved from A View on Cities website: http://www.aviewoncities.com/budapest/gellerthill.htm

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