Budapest Citadel’s Renovation Entering Its Final Phase

The Citadel’s renovation is in full swing, with parallel works reaching an important stage with the reconstruction of the fortress wall. A special glass bridge has been built and the Budapest landmark is continuing to be renovated in a spectacular way: the park’s green areas are being planted and the wings are being painted and paved. 

In some areas, the final stages of the Citadel’s gigantic renovation are already underway, Magyar Építők reports. New planting has begun to create a greener Citadel, and flowering ornamental trees and shrubs will be planted to enhance the renewed fortress in all seasons. In total, over 10,000 shrubs, 100,000 perennials, and over half a million bulbs will be planted in the area, along with 128 large trees.

In addition to the panoramic view from the Citadel, a large park and a unique architectural exhibition space will make the top of Gellért Hill a magnificent meeting place for the city.

The portal recalls that the extensive renovation of the Citadel and the Statue of Liberty is part of the effort to make the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Banks of the Danube, including the historic Buda Castle and the Castle Garden on the Buda side, worthy of this title.

As previously reported by Hungary Today, the renovation of the Citadel and its surroundings started in spring 2021, within the framework of the National Hauszmann Program. So far, the works included a condition survey and archaeological excavation of the area, reconstruction of the outer and inner walls of the fortress, and the tidying up of the inner courtyard in several phases.

The Citadel received one of the most spectacular elements of the renovation on March 15, 2022, the day of the national holiday: it was decorated with Hungary’s largest national flag, commemorating the heroes who gave their lives for Hungarian independence.

The Statue of Liberty, undergoing a major facelift, will also be given a new feature:

a cross will be placed on its pedestal, where formerly a statue of a Soviet soldier used to stand.

One of the most eye-catching sights of the Citadel is the Statue of Liberty. The metal bolt connections inside the statue have been inspected and replaced where accessible. This has meant the installation of 12,000 cubic meters of scaffolding, with specialists restoring 200 square meters of the sculpture’s surface and replacing 7,000 screws.

Half of the work is still to be done regarding the installation of utilities, the portal notes. A major challenge is the construction of the piping networks in the rocky ground, as the ridge lines are buried under the base plates, i.e. they are carved into the rock. The construction on the top of the hill is also a challenge because of the site conditions and the slope, meaning that the cables have to be carefully placed at the planned levels.

The entire network of roads and utilities along the promenade will be renewed, and 700 meters of individual steel railing will be installed along the walkway. The utility works will involve the movement of some 14,000 cubic meters of rock and soil. The whole project is scheduled for completion in 2026.

Via Magyar Építők, Featured image: Facebook / Nemzeti Hauszmann Program