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The unique lime stone caves within Castle Hill were carved by erosion of underground hot water sprigs over millions of years. At the beginning of life on earth, these caves served as refuge for animals, then the prehistoric man (the "Hunter of Buda) appearing roughly half a million years ago. The entrance to the caves were hidden by lush vegetation and dense forests. The interiors had flowing water so this valuable resource made this a comfortable dwelling.
Later the numerous small caves were connected to each other enabling an entire society to live within. With modern man building hoses over these caves on the hillside of castle hill, cellars were developed out of them which were used as wine cellars, refuge from nomad attacks. During the Turkish invasion of Hungary, these caves were even extended away from the hill to points many kilometers away, under the seiging attackers. Using these for food routes and ultimately at the collapse, an escape route for the defenders. In the Hungarian history of the middle ages, parts of the caves were also used as torture chambers, jails and even as a treasury.
In the 20th century, it was used for military purposes, and the complex developed into a full blown labyrinth. In the 1930s, as part of the wartime defense program, the complex of cellars was converted into a shelter large enough to accommodate as many as ten thousand people at the same time. Reinforced with concrete, it was used for supply storage as well as a large hospital for wounded soldiers. During the Cold War, it served as a secret military installation.
Today you can visit parts which are open to the public, as seen on the map below. The admission fee is 1,500 HUF for adults, students 1,100 HUF, with group discounts available.
Access: Buda side of Budapest, Castle District, Úri u. 9. on the opposite side from the Danube River.
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