A three-year reconstruction of the Budapest citadel is set to continue with the monitoring of archaeologists. The citadel which is located on Gellért Hill behind the Liberty Statue has had a comprehensive site assessment by archaeologists prior to reconstruction.
During the assessment archaeologists have found parts of history buried under the ground. Some small findings included Celtic, Roman and Turkish ceramics and coins.
A larger discovery was that the citadel was built on the remains of a two-tower university observatory that was commissioned by Joseph in 1815. In 1870, the tower was demolished after severe damage was incurred during the War of Independence.
A World War I anti-aircraft cannon base was also found within the citadel. Archaeologists are set to excavate this piece and it will be sent to the Military History Institute and Museum as its final resting place.
Excavations are set to continue and once the condition is revealed the next step will be renovation of the inner courtyard and reconstruction of the outer walls. It is expected that the finished citadel will be home to a beautiful public park.
The cost of the renovation is set to reach HUF 20 billion.
Photo credit: Budapest Attractions