Budapest's Hospital in the Rock museum, Hungary: Budapest's hidden labyrinth of tunnels

By Catherine Marshall
September 5 2015 - 12:15am
The Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum conveys both the resourcefulness and the cruelty of World War II in Budapest. Photo: Supplied
The Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum conveys both the resourcefulness and the cruelty of World War II in Budapest. Photo: Supplied
The Danube: It's difficult to reconcile the loveliness of Budapest in spring with the history that lies beneath. Photo: Catherine Marshall
The Danube: It's difficult to reconcile the loveliness of Budapest in spring with the history that lies beneath. Photo: Catherine Marshall
Pest as seen across the Danube from Buda. Photo: Catherine Marshall
Pest as seen across the Danube from Buda. Photo: Catherine Marshall
The Danube: It's difficult to reconcile the loveliness of Budapest in spring with the history that lies beneath. Photo: Catherine Marshall
The Danube: It's difficult to reconcile the loveliness of Budapest in spring with the history that lies beneath. Photo: Catherine Marshall
Civil defence tools: At the height of the Soviet siege, 700 patients were crammed into the labyrinth.  Photo: Supplied
Civil defence tools: At the height of the Soviet siege, 700 patients were crammed into the labyrinth. Photo: Supplied
The underground treatment centre boasted state-of-the-art equipment and was staffed by Red Cross volunteers. Photo: Supplied
The underground treatment centre boasted state-of-the-art equipment and was staffed by Red Cross volunteers. Photo: Supplied
Pest as seen across the Danube from Buda. Photo: Catherine Marshall
Pest as seen across the Danube from Buda. Photo: Catherine Marshall
The Danube: It's difficult to reconcile the loveliness of Budapest in spring with the history that lies beneath. Photo: Catherine Marshall
The Danube: It's difficult to reconcile the loveliness of Budapest in spring with the history that lies beneath. Photo: Catherine Marshall
Pest as seen across the Danube from Buda. Photo: Catherine Marshall
Pest as seen across the Danube from Buda. Photo: Catherine Marshall
The Danube: It's difficult to reconcile the loveliness of Budapest in spring with the history that lies beneath. Photo: Catherine Marshall
The Danube: It's difficult to reconcile the loveliness of Budapest in spring with the history that lies beneath. Photo: Catherine Marshall
Pest as seen across the Danube from Buda. Photo: Catherine Marshall
Pest as seen across the Danube from Buda. Photo: Catherine Marshall

The hills of Buda tumble down into the Danube, that ribbon of water separating it for eternity from its fraternal twin, Pest. From Gellert Hill you can see the two parts of one city spread out: Buda, cloaked in green-tipped lindens and lilacs and horse chestnuts; Pest, stuffed full of beautiful, timeworn antiquities. From Castle Hill you can see the stepping stone that unifies the two: Margaret Island, lodged in the centre of the river, the spot locals come to from all over Budapest for summer picnics.

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