“This part of the city, which today captivates visitors with its beautifully restored buildings, rich history, and undeniable charm, was once one of the fiercest battlefields of the war,” said Bence Madaras, CEO of Várkapitányság, at the exhibition's opening ceremony. “As the stronghold of German-controlled defenses, it became a constant target of aerial and artillery attacks.”

Recalling the devastating events of late 1944 and early 1945, Madaras emphasized the immense suffering endured by Budapest’s residents.

Nearly 800,000 civilians were trapped within the encircled city, seeking refuge from relentless bombings and shelling in air-raid shelters, the underground chambers of the Royal Palace, or the vast network of caves and cellars beneath Castle Hill.

During the siege, gas and electricity services ceased, and clean drinking water became scarce. It took over fifty days before Soviet forces took control of the city. Even then, many residents remained hidden in cellars until Easter - either because they had lost their homes or feared the violence perpetrated by Soviet troops.

A Testament to Budapest’s Architectural Heritage and Human Resilience

A collaboration between Várkapitányság, the Hungarian Museum of Architecture, and the Heritage Documentation Center (MÉM MDK), the exhibition preserves both the city’s architectural heritage and the harrowing experiences of its people. In addition to striking photographs, visitors can read excerpts from diaries and firsthand accounts from those who lived through the siege.

Though many buildings in the Castle District sustained serious but not fatal damage, the post-war leadership, driven by ideological motives, chose to partially or completely demolish them. As a result, Budapest had to wait more than half a century for the restoration of these historic structures.

“The large-scale restoration truly began with the National Hauszmann Program,” Madaras explained. “The goal is to restore the Buda Castle District to its former grandeur, reflecting the way it stood at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.”

Reviving the Spirit of Buda Castle

Kornél Almássy, Director of MÉM MDK, highlighted the ongoing efforts to preserve and restore the area’s architectural heritage, stating: "I hope the Castle District will once again regain the vibrant energy it had in the 1930s."

He also noted that while this exhibition offers only a limited selection of the vast photographic archives documenting the siege, it focuses specifically on the destruction of the Buda Castle area. A more comprehensive presentation, titled The Siege of Budapest, is on display at the Hungarian Museum of Architecture’s Bajza Street gallery.

Almássy stressed the importance of showing the stark contrast between destruction and rebirth:
"This city was nearly obliterated by a futile defense effort that held little military significance. And yet, despite everything, Budapest managed to rise from the ashes and shine once more."

A Moving Experience for Visitors

The exhibition features ten illuminated installations displaying twenty large panels, illustrating how residents endured air raids, buried their dead, and struggled for survival.

Additionally, several interactive programs accompany the exhibition. High school students can participate in special history lessons led by historian Mihály Nánay, providing deeper insight into the siege, its causes, and its aftermath. Visitors can also explore the Then and Now map supplement - available at the Testőr Palace Information Point - which compares historical locations from the exhibition with their present-day appearance.

More: 
Várkert Bazár website.
1013 Budapest, Ybl Miklós tér 2-6.