Gellérthegy

Gellérthegy, meaning St. Gerard's Hill in English, is a prominent 235-meter-high hill in Budapest, Hungary, overlooking the Danube River. The hill is named after Saint Gerard Sagredo, a Venetian monk who, according to legend, was thrown from its summit in the 11th century. It is a significant landmark and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city, including the Parliament Building, Buda Castle, and the Chain Bridge.

The most recognizable structure on Gellérthegy is the Citadella, a fortress built by the Austrian army in 1849 after the Hungarian Revolution. Although initially intended to suppress potential uprisings, it now serves as a tourist attraction and houses a museum. Atop the Citadella stands the Liberty Statue, a 14-meter-tall bronze monument depicting a woman holding a palm leaf, erected in 1947 to commemorate the Soviet liberation of Hungary from Nazi Germany.

Gellérthegy is also known for its thermal springs, which feed the famous Gellért Baths, a renowned Art Nouveau spa complex located at the foot of the hill. The area is a popular destination for both tourists and locals, offering walking paths, green spaces, and several caves, the most notable being the Cave Church, which is carved into the side of the hill and serves as a place of worship for the Pauline monks. The geological composition of the hill includes Pannonian limestone, and the surrounding area is part of the Duna-Ipoly National Park.