Since the actions of the private companies managing the usage of the Citadel didn’t meet the requirements of the World Heritage Site laws, the Hungarian state takes the monument back. The Citadel was originally a fortress, which was built in 1894 in commission by the Habsburgs. The monument was pronounced a World Heritage Site in 1987.According to a regulation made at the beginning of October 2013, since the currant usage of the Citadel didn’t meet the requirements of the World Heritage Site laws, the Hungarian state gets the monument back. After the administrational procedures are finished, the Hungarian National Asset Management Inc. gets the former fort. According to the commands of the regulation the current owners have to give the area back in a month, since managing it they didn’t meet the requirements of the World Heritage Site laws, and they broke them several times.
The Citadel Was Originally a Fortress
The Citadel is located in the 11th district, on the Gellért Hill, and was built in 1854 in commission by the Habsburgs. The 220-meter long, 60-meter-wide, 16-meter high and 4-meter thick walls of the monument were erected by Julius Jacob von Haynau. The primary purpose of the building was not the defense of the city but the intimidation of the citizens. 60 cannons were placed behind the loopholes of the fort. The Citadel didn’t become popular among the locals; moreover, it became a symbol of despotism. In 1894 the fort became the property of the capital. It was used for military purposes in the World War II for the last time.
It Became a World Heritage Site in 1987
From the 1960s the Citadel’s role in the city’s tourism rose; a hotel and a restaurant were opened between its walls, which became very popular, mostly because of the view the guests could enjoy. In 1987 the Gellért Hill with the Citadel standing on it became a World Heritage Site. At the base of its Eastern wall stands the Statue of Liberty erected in 1947, from its top several radio stations broadcast, and between its walls a photo exhibit and a wax museum was opened.
Sources:www.portfolio.huhu.wikipedia.org
Photo:
wikipedia.org
