Labyrinth of Buda Castle, Cave system and tunnel network under Castle Hill, Budapest, Hungary
The Labyrinth of Buda Castle is a 3.3 km system of passages and chambers about 12 metres beneath Castle Hill, formed by thermal springs in the limestone and marl and later joined to house cellars and wells. Its entrances include Úri utca 9, Lovas út 4/A–C and Dísz tér 1–2. A yellow facade with a grey stone arch inscribed LABIRINTUS frames dark green double doors; inside, a rock tunnel shows faded reddish paintings of a horse and a horned animal.
The passages developed over many centuries and served various purposes, from cellar storage to imprisonment. During World War II, the labyrinth was used as a shelter after previously functioning as a prison and military facility.
From 1984 a wax museum opened in the passages, and from 1997 the cave hosted exhibitions and workshops across 4000 square metres, with literary, philosophical, fine-art, film and music programmes built around the labyrinth theme. In 1986 the Panoptikum episode of the television series Linda was filmed here.
Visitors should wear sturdy footwear for slippery surfaces and prepare for changing light conditions. It is wise to bring cash and allow enough time to explore the different sections without rushing.
The cave passages were used by prehistoric people 350,000 years ago, as finds of tools and bones show. In 1935 part of the caves opened to visitors with exhibitions of the bones found there. From 1939 the Székesfőváros Surgical Emergency Hospital was built in the passages and opened in February 1944.
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