THE GELLÉRT HILL

The fortress of opression and the Liberation Monument

The Gellért hill and the Citadel
The Gellért hill received its name after St. Gellért who came to Hungary as a missionary bishop upon the invitation of King St. Stephen I. around 1000 a.d. His task was helping the Hungarians convert to Christianity. Some pagan leaders who did not want to convert captured St. Gellért and rolled him down from the hill in a barrel. The St. Gellért monument and fountain representing his martyrdom can be found on the Northeastern slope of the hill facing the Elisabeth bridge.
	The fortress of the Citadel was built by the Habsburgs in 1851 to demonstrate their control over the Hungarians. The top of the Gellért Hill is a strategical point from where they had an overview of both Buda and Pest. Though it was equipped with 60 cannons, it was used as threat rather than a working fortification. After the reconciliation with the Habsburgs the Hungarians wanted to demolish the buildings, but after all it did not happen. In the mid 20th century it was converted to a tourist center. From the panorama terraces one can have a stunning view of the city.
By a short walk one can reach the Liberation Monument . The statue was erected in 1947 after the second world war. The main figure is a woman, holding an olive branch, the symbol of peace in her hands. On both sides symbolic figures can be seen: the young man's victory over the dragon represents the defeat of fascism. The Citadel can be reached by bus 27 from Móricz Zsigmond körtér.