The lovely Gellért Hill

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.