THE RENEWAL OF THE CITADELLA

The renewal of the Citadella was guided by an architectural concept developed by Dániel Taraczky, lead designer of the art1st design studio. Today, the Citadella complex evokes at once the tragic chapters of Hungarian history, the symbols of oppression, and the powerful gestures that marked their undoing. With the opening up and careful cutting through of its fortress walls, new entrances and passageways have been created, linking the two sides of the hill and liberating areas that had long remained closed. In a potent historical metaphor, it was the “head” of tyranny — the Western Round Bastion — that was separated from the “body”, allowing the space itself to open and become freely accessible to those who enter.

Long anticipated, the renewal began in autumn 2020 with extensive archaeological investigations. Beneath layers of later construction emerged significant traces of earlier epochs. Excavations revealed remnants of the domed university observatory built in 1815 at the initiative of Palatine Joseph, which once ranked among Europe’s most advanced astronomical facilities. Rare military artefacts also surfaced, including a First World War anti-aircraft gun mount from the Austro-Hungarian period. Coins and ceramics from Celtic, Roman and Ottoman times further enriched understanding of the hill’s deep historical strata. During the works, Second World War shells and aerial bombs were discovered and safely removed by the Hungarian Defence Forces.

The first step of the refurbishment was a comprehensive survey of the fortress walls and slabs. Structurally problematic wall sections were removed, then rebuilt in line with the original construction methods, reusing the dismantled stone blocks. Once reinforced, the interior spaces of the round bastion and the central courtyard were cleared of later additions, restoring the fortress’s original spatial structure.
To enhance the visitor experience in the Citadella, new entry points were created, while lifts now ensure step-free access to every level of the building. Landscaping in the courtyard introduced dozens of ornamental flowering trees and shrubs. The inner park is enriched with flowering turf, roses, lavender, climbing plants and grapevines — and to complete the day, an ice cream parlour, café and gift shop await visitors.

The two promenades of the Citadella Park converge before the Round Bastion. Within the renewed cannon tower, spanning more than 1,700m², one of the development’s most significant features has found its home: the permanent exhibition The Bastion of Liberty, which unveils the inside story of Hungary’s struggles for liberty across the centuries. In the former round bastion courtyard, an artificial reflecting pool has been created, with an eternal flame at its centre — a symbol of remembrance and freedom.