The Hospital in the Rock and the Siege of Budapest 2.

We continue to explore the sites associated with the siege of the Castle District – this part of the city was a special place, among other things, because the most important government agencies operated here: Horthy was based in the palace, and so were the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, of Finance, of Defense and of Interior Affairs. This feature justified the development of an adequate defense system using the Castle Hill cave system, including the construction of a bomb-proof hospital.

First, the “K” air raid alarm control center and the emergency room connected to it were opened in the area of today’s Hospital in the Rock, which could be approached from the Buda City Hall. The central role of the Castle District was also important for the Germans, who also arranged their own institutions here.

Air Raid Alarm Control Center „K” – It was operated by the Civilian Defence.

Siege of Budapest – part of our exhibition.

First aid on the battlefield – part of our exhibition.

Plans for the construction of the Air Raid Alarm Control Center.

The Hospital in the Rock and the Siege of Budapest

What is the connection between the Hospital in the Rock and the Castle District? Much more than the location of the Castle Hill caves inside of which the hospital was built out – the location is closely related to the history of the institution.

The underground facility was not threatened by airstrikes, so it was much safer than any other hospital in the city, but at the same time, the medical staff had to persevere in the midst of the fiercest attacks. This district is the one which was affected by the fights for the longest time during the siege of Budapest, from January 1945 it was the main focal point of military operations, air,-and artillery attacks in the area were constant. Finding place for the hundreds of wounded became impossible, the hospital was overcrowded, the staff had to save lives and at the same time deal with the problems of the lack of food, water and medical supplies in order to survive the long months of the siege.

The last territories kept by German-Hungarian troops in Budapest in 1945 February.

Educational poster made by the Civil Defense from the 1940’s.

Mária Daróczi (left) with her family on Tóth Árpád Promenade.

Verification of service issued by the Hospital in the Rock to Mária Daróczi.

You wonder what the Hospital in the Rock might look like after we turn off the lights? Do you like exciting and spooky programs?

Come and walk into the Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum as few have been able to do so far – in almost complete darkness!

This summer, you can take part in this exciting adventure only 4 times, in groups of up to 10 people, for the regular entry fee.

Tudod milyen mélyen  a föld alatt…

… néma csöndben, szinte teljes sötétségben?

Dates:

2020. 07. 17. 17:00

2020. 07. 24. 17:00

2020. 07. 31. 17:00

2020. 08. 07. 17:00

 

Reservation: Since the number of participants and the duration of the program is limited, we recommend to book in advance (and pay on spot). Depending on the capacity, it is also possible to join the program on the spot, without reservation.

 

During the program, the hospital part of a museum darkens and our skilled tour guides provide flashlights for every visitor.