Potholing and Caving Underground in Budapest
Descend deep inside Buda's mysterious Cave Systems and Labyrinths
Mar 30, 2009
Thermal waters formed the cave systems beneath Budapest over the course of several million years and presently at least 200 of varying sizes are known to exist, many discovered as recently as the early C20th.
Although the majority are off limits for reasons ranging from accessibility to environmental, a small number are open to the public. Whether gazing around at a cavernous expanse or squeezing through a narrow fissure, it’s all available in Budapest and makes for an exhilarating underground adventure.
One popular and historic attraction offers visitors the chance to descend beneath Castle Hill on the Buda side of the River Danube to the Labyrinth of Buda Castle.
Buda Castle
This cave system served as both a refuge and hunting ground for Prehistoric man and from the C20th it was expanded into a larger labyrinth for military and storage purpose from the 1930s.
During the Second World War it was transformed into a shelter large enough to house 10,000 people and the Cold War period saw its conversion into a secret military underground installation.
An especially atmospheric option here is to enter the Labyrinth after 6pm, when lights are switched off and guests are given the tour with lanterns, lending a far more surreal ambience to proceedings.
Palvolgyi Caves
A trip to the dramatic Palvolgyi Caves is an undoubted highlight of Budapest’s underground scene. The Palvolgyi system, a short tram journey west of central Budapest, is the second-longest in Hungary, having recently extended to 18 kilometres in length after being found to connect with nearby caves.
Palvolgyi is a fascinating world of stalactites, stalagmites, fossil shells, sparkling calcite crystals and unusual spherical rock formations carved by the ever flowing mineral waters. The temperature here is an unchanged 11 degrees year round, with hand rails and steps where necessary making for a comfortable and relatively unchallenging trip.
Guided Cave Treks
For a more ‘down to earth’ experience there are several guided cave treks of various lengths in and around Buda. No prior potholing experience is necessary but those suffering any degree of claustrophobia should think twice before committing to these tours.
One such tour lasting around three hours enters the Matyas Caves, close by Palvolgyi. Protective suits and headlamps are worn by each group member and the group proceeds in single file to a maximum depth of around 150 metres, sometimes stooped walking but more often than not crawling on hands and knees.
Matyas Caves
Certain passage sections given nicknames like the ‘Birth Canal’ tell their own story and are only passable inching through stomach-down with arms outstretched. The feeling of entering this Jules Verne-esque isolated world deep beneath the bustling streets of Budapest is overwhelming but is a worthwhile, rewarding experience.
Budapest’s caves and spa water complement the perfect day spent in the capital, with a trip to Buda’s famous Gellert baths the perfect way to unwind once safely back above ground.
For information on visiting some of the caves open to the public in Budapest, some of which offer discount entry with a Budapest Card, visit here. Details of more adventurous caving experiences at the Matyas Caves can be found here.
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