Hungary's capital city, Budapest, is actually two cities, Buda and Pest, which face each other across the Danube River, which were unified in 1873. Pest, on the eastern side of the Danube, is set on a wide, flat plain and is where the heart of the old city lies. It is a very scenic and metropolitan city, with great architecture and culture. Buda, on the west, is dominated by a limestone ridge that runs along the river, almost to the shore. The ridge is surmounted by Buda castle, the Fishermen's Bastion and the Matthias Church.
Beneath the castle are an extensive warren of tunnels and caves and there are many tour options. One of the options is the Hospital in the Rock. The hospital entrance is on the western side of the ridge, a very short walk from the main square between the Royal Palace and Matthias Church. There are stairs and an elevator which take you down to the entrance.
The hospital was constructed during the Second World War, expanding the already existing cave and tunnel system. It was originally intended to provide air raid protection and medical services to the government district surrounding the palace. After the war it was repurposed as a nuclear bomb shelter until the end of the Cold War, much like some of the fortifications of the Maginot Line in France (see here: https://militarymuseum.blogspot.com/2019/06/hackenberg-ouverage-maginot-line-france.html).
The entrance. Tours of the facility are run daily.
As with all underground sites, it's cold in there. Visitors are offered an overcoat at the entrance.
Heading down. Officially, there's a no photography policy, but I did sneak a couple of shots.
Hospital ward diorama
Operating theatre
Switchboard
Ganz diesel generator
Water filtration and storage
Air filters
I'm not sure I'd feel entirely safe in this 'nuclear suit.'
Do not pass go without your mask
Thank you, we will. A gas mask makes a great souvenir.
The Hospital in the Rock is an excellent museum and the tour is well worth a visit.
https://www.sziklakorhaz.eu/
Address:
Lovas út 4c, Budapest 1012
Buda, Castle Hill, District 1
For more information, check out the website: http://visitbudapest.travel/arts-entertainment/budapest-museums/hospital-in-the-rock-museum/
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