Buda Castle Tunnel

The Castle Hill Tunnel in Budapest, or Buda Castle Tunnel – commonly referred to simply as the Tunnel – is a 350-meter-long tunnel connecting the Buda end of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge (Clark Ádám Square) with Krisztinaváros. "The greaterst Hungarian", István Széchenyi raised the need for the Tunnel and József Ürményi established a company for its construction in 1852. Construction began in 1853 according to Ádám Clark's plans. It was opened to traffic in 1857, and a fee had to be paid for its use until 1918. Its eastern gate was built in an eclectic classicist style. Its western gate was destroyed during the war and rebuilt in 1949.

Interesting facts:

• At the end of the tunnel, on the Clark Ádám Square side is the official residence of the Chain Bridge bridge master.
• There is a sidewalk along the south side of the tunnel, but its use is not recommended for pedestrians due to the noise and air pollution caused by cars, as indicated by a sign posted there.
• At the top of the eastern exit of the tunnel, a sign also warned people that it was forbidden to climb outside the wire fence previously erected on top of the gate. In 2013, the top of the tunnel gate was renovated and a new railing was built to prevent fatal accidents, which also fits in with the cityscape. 

Accessibility:

Bus lines 16, 105, 178, 216, and 916 pass through the Tunnel.

Best time to visit:

If you arrive at the tunnel at dawn or sunset, you will have the opportunity to take amazing photos from the tunnel terrace. 

How do you find it? There is a staircase (or ramp) beside the roundabout that leads up to the tunnel entrance. Walk through the short pedestrian tunnel and you will emerge onto a cosy terrace with steps leading up just a few metres.

Opening hours: 

The tunnel is open 24/7 except for a few nights each year. It is cleaned twice a year, in spring and autumn, by Fővárosi Közterület-fenntartó Zrt. (Budapest Public Works Company),[6] usually between 11 p.m. and midnight every night for three to four days.

Nearby attractions:

There are several attractions located nearby, such as Clark Adam Square, the Budavári Sikló funicular railway and the Chain Bridge. It is also worth walking up to Buda Castle from there.