Labyrinth of Buda Castle
The Labyrinth of Buda Castle is one of the unique attractions of the Hungarian capital, located right under the Royal Palace of Budapest. The underground corridors and caves are 16 meters deep and have a total length of 1.2 km. Part of the ancient dungeon is accessible to visitors. It is divided into several parts and is a modern art museum with historical exhibits and installations.
What to see
The illuminated caves and tunnels of the Buda Labyrinth reproduce pages of Hungarian history and mythology. There are wax figures in historical costumes and furnishings from different centuries, rock paintings, a stone coffin, heavy shackles, a metal cage and a tombstone with the inscription “Dracula. 1476”. Closer to the exit of the labyrinth are stones with imprints of modern objects – cell phones, Coca-Cola bottles and computers. Small posters contain interesting facts about the Buda Labyrinth and the names of the caves.
. The dungeon under the Royal Palace is not actually a classic labyrinth. The whole route through it is looped, so there is no way to get lost here. There are a few short dead ends in the tunnels, but if visitors get to the wrong place, it’s easy enough to return to the main route. Traveling through the dungeons takes about 30-40 minutes..History of the Buda Labyrinth
According to scientists, the underground cavities under the hill on the right bank of the Danube are of natural origin. Archaeological excavations have established that these dungeons were inhabited by people as early as 500,000 years ago. In the Middle Ages they were used as cellars for storing provisions, wine cellars and dungeons.
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Over the centuries, the Buda Labyrinth has been organized and connected by man-made passages. During World War II, it was a military hospital and a bomb shelter that could accommodate 20,000 German soldiers. The last large-scale reconstruction of the dungeon took place in 2011-2013.
.Tourist Information
For tourists in the Buda Labyrinth year-round conduct daytime (from 9.30 to 19.30) and nighttime (from 20.30 to 8.00) programs. At 18.00 the lights underground are turned off, so visitors can only light their way with flashlights.
.To avoid missing the building where the entrance to the Buda Labyrinth is located, you should pay attention to the signs. Above the door to the right place is the inscription “Labirintus”. Behind it you will start descending to the reception desk, where tickets to the dungeon are sold.
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At the entrance you can take a picture of the map of the Buda Labyrinth, which is very easy to navigate. The caves are quite high and it is comfortable to walk through them at full height. In some rooms there is quiet music playing, in others you can hear the sound of falling drops, the clatter of a metronome or the clanking of iron chains. There are places where there is no lighting at all, and to help visitors find the right direction, there are ropes along the walls and vaults.
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Keep in mind that the dungeon is 16 meters deep, so it is much cooler than on the surface. All year round the temperature here stays around +16…+18 ° C, so planning an excursion underground, it is worth dressing warmer.
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How to get there
The Buda Labyrinth is located in the historical part of the city, not far from the Royal Palace of Budapest. You can get to it from the basement of house No. 9, located on Uri Street. You can get here by buses No. 16, 16A, 116 and 916. Get off at the stop “Szentháromság tér” or “Dísz tér”.
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