Perched high on Gellért Hill, Budapest’s Citadel — one of the city’s most striking landmarks — will reopen in spring 2026 after an extensive restoration. The transformed site will feature lush green spaces, a new exhibition and a dramatic glass-sided walkway unlike anything else in Europe.
The former military fortification, long seen as a symbol of Hungarian freedom, is being redesigned as a modern cultural attraction. A highlight of the renewal is a glass pedestrian bridge offering sweeping views over the Danube and the city skyline.
Inside the large rondella, visitors will find an interactive exhibition, The Bastion of Freedom, exploring Hungary’s centuries-long fight for independence. The courtyard will gain a water feature and eternal flame, while the surrounding area will double its greenery.
New amenities include a café, a souvenir shop and open-air relaxation zones, creating a green urban terrace atop Gellért Hill — a favourite spot for panoramic photography and wedding shoots.
A landmark shaped by history
Built by the Austrians after the 1848 uprising, the Citadel became a potent symbol of national resistance. It has belonged to the city since 1899, except during the Soviet occupation amid the 1956 revolution.
The reconstruction, launched in 2020, uncovered Celtic, Roman and Ottoman artefacts. Engineers reinforced the ageing stone walls, while designers retained as much original Habsburg-era material as possible, integrating it with modern technologies.
The newly restored Citadel will open to visitors on 15 March — Hungary’s Independence Day.