THE HILL TO THE SOUTH OF CASTLE HILL was long
regarded as a notorious spot. In the 11th century, Prince Vata, brother of King
István, incited a heathen rebellion here that resulted in the death of Bishop
Gellért. During the Middle Ages, witches were even reputed to celebrate their
sabbath here. Under the Turks, a small stronghold was first built on the hill
to protect Buda. In 1851, the Austrians placed their own bleak and intimidating
Citadel in Budapest at the summit. Not until the end of the 19th century did the popular
image of Gellért Hill begin to change, when it became a venue for picnicking
parties. In 1967, the area around the Citadel was made into an attractive park.
Gellért Hotel and Baths Complex
BETWEEN 1912–18, this hotel and spa was built in the
modernist Secession style (see pp54–7) at the foot of Gellert Hill. The
earliest reference to the existence of healing waters at this spot dates from
the 13th century, during the reign of King Andras II and in the Middle Ages a
hospital stood on the site. Baths built here by the Ottomans were referred to
by the renowned Turkish travel writer of the day, Evliya Celebi. The architects
of the hotel were Armin Heged∂s, Artur Sebestyen and Izidor Sterk. Destroyed in
1945, it was rebuilt and modernized after World War II. The hotel has several
restaurants and cafes. The baths include an institute of water therapy, set
within Secession interiors, but with modern facilities.
Cave Church
ON THE SOUTHERN slope of Gellert Hill, the entrance to
this grotto church is a short walk from the Gellert Hotel and Baths Complex.
Based on the shrine at Lourdes, the church, designed by Kalman Lux, was
established in 1926. The church was intended for the Pauline order of monks, which
was founded in the 13th century by Eusebius of Esztergom. In 1934, 150 years after
Joseph II had dissolved the order in Hungary, 15 friars arrived back in the
city from exile in Poland. However, their residence lasted only until the late
1950s, when the Communist authorities suspended the activities of the church in Hungary,
accusing the monks of treasonable acts, and sealed the entrance to the grotto. The
church and adjoining monastery were reopened on 27 August 1989, when a papal blessing
was conferred on its beautiful new granite altar, designed by Gy≥z≥ Sikot. To the
left within the grotto is a copy of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa and a
depiction of a Polish eagle.
