Although for many it used to be a symbol of repression for a long time, today the Citadella is one of the most popular tourist sights in Budapest. This is the building in the capital that generated the most concepts and initiatives for remodeling over the past centuries.

Its walls do not completely show its real arrangement as aerial photos do. The building is 220 meters long and 60 meters wide. When constructed the 4-meter-high walls were equipped with 60 cannons, although they were never used except for ceremonial shooting. The eastern wall is guarded by the Statue of Liberty by Zsigmond Kisfaludi Strobl, unveiled in 1947.

The name comes from the Italian word “citadella” meaning “small city”, a fortified part of a settlement outfitted with all supplies and amenities for the survival of defenders. Thousands of years before the Citadella was constructed settlers of the area had already recognized the military importance of Gellért Hill.

Atop the hill there was a chapel before the Turkish conquest, which they replaced with a stockade fort in the 16th century. It probably acted as a guard to keep Buda. However, they were not the first ones to use the hilltop for military purposes. Before the arrival of Romans the celtic-eravisci had a fortified oppidum there and after deporting the tribe Romans built a watchtower on the well defensible spot.

The Turkish being expelled burnt down their fort. More than a hundred years later Palatine József established an observatory called Uranie for the University of Nagyszombat. The university was relocated to Buda in 1777 and royal authority replaced archbishop supervision. Construction works began in 1813 and finished in 1815. Scientific work, however, was hindered by the unstable base for instruments and structural issues of the building, and finally, the observatory was pulled down in 1829. Astronomy remained unrepresented on the hill until 1947, when Uránia Observatory opened on the northern slope and it is still in use today.

The fortress opened in 1854 and was aimed to prevent rebels. Construction started on the order of Austrian general Julius Jacob von Haynau in 1850 by the plans of military engineer Emmanuel Zitta and finished 4 years later, only after the death of Haynau. The Citadella did not meet the standards of modern warfare of the 19th century. It was rather meant to threaten potential rebels. Originally, the Citadella was planned to be a more complex facility, however, finally Austrian military strategists chose Komárom for building a modern fortress there and the extension of the Citadella was cancelled.

After the Compromise of 1867 the Citadella was no longer used as a fort. Even some of its walls were partly pulled down. It was only in 1894 when Budapest regained possession over it by an exchange of valuable properties. Despite the deal Habsburg troops left the fort only in 1899 doing a symbolic damage to the main gate.

The Citadella was still regarded by the locals as the symbol of repression after 1849 thus more concepts arose to remodel the top of the Gellért Hill. Some claimed a complete destruction of the fort, although the necessary financial resources had never been available, and some argued for restoration. Most plans, such as that of István Széchenyi, his son, Ödön Széchenyi and Frigyes Feszl were various concepts for a national pantheon, however, none of them came true mostly due to conflicting priorities and lack of financial resources.

The last attempt to realize a plan of a pantheon on the Gellért Hill was made at the beginning of the 20th century when István Medgyaszay came up with an award winning concept of a monumental building with multiple halls. His plans were ruined by WW1 and 2. The Citadella was used for military purpose once again during WW2. It functioned as an air defense base, a warehouse and a military hospital.

By the 1960s the Citadella was totally transformed to meet the needs of tourism making it as an increasingly popular tourist sight in Budapest. Besides its role in tourism it is host to broadcast antennas for more radio stations. In the meantime further plans are still being made for remodeling the building.

From atop the walls of the Citadella there is a stunning view over the city. No wonder that in 1987, UNESCO recognized Gellért Hill, together with the view from its top over the Castle Hill and both banks of the Danube as a World Heritage Site. The Citadella is accessible by tourist bus, car and public transport as well but those who choose to walk up there will have several opportunities along the trail to experience the amazing view.