An entire network of caves and tunnels winds its way underneath the Hungarian capital of Budapest. This natural cave system was carved out by spring water centuries ago and the “rooms” left in its wake were originally used as cellars.
An Underground Project
To make better use of this unusual resource, a comprehensive exploration was done in the 1930s and the caves were joined together to form the basic structure of what was to eventually become the Hospital in the Rock.
This underground (both literally and figuratively) military hospital and nuclear bunker was built during, and specifically for, World War II and its victims. The Hospital in the Rock opened its doors in February of 1944 with the purpose of treating injured soldiers. Still containing most of the original equipment and tools, a visit here involves nothing short of a surreal experience.
An Overwhelming Need for Support
To little surprise, the history here is phenomenal. The hospital was only built to treat 60 to 200 patients, but they actually treated more like 600 at their peak, civilians as well as soldiers. Beds built for one were ultimately shared between three people, with the least injured in the middle. Short on proper supplies, the kitchen ended up having to resort to horsemeat to feed their staff and patients; proper food was supposed to have come from the nearby Saint John’s Janos Hospital, but this facility had already been occupied by the Soviets.
A Useful Resource over the Next Years
Although shut down in 1945, the hospital ran again in the 1950s. Eight children were even born here. Eventually classified as top secret, the hospital closed down in December of 1956, but expanded in the following years to include the bunker in case of nuclear attack. Cases of gas masks are still stacked at the entrance to the museum. Visitors witness the barber chairs and shower stalls that would have been used to treat anyone exposed to nuclear weaponry. Not to mention the incredible machinery and communication devices that were stored there and are still on display.
Protecting the Top Secret Facility
Despite its eventual closure, the site’s fascinating tale doesn’t end here. In an effort to protect the location and its history while still maintaining its top secret status, a janitor couple took over maintenance of the facility, living here from 1970 to 2004. Interestingly enough, the one time the hospital’s elaborate X-ray machine was used was when the janitor himself broke his finger (as per guided tour, June 2009). Finally opened to the public in 2006, the present-day museum was opened in March of 2008.
Visitor Information
For any information on this incredible project, including hours of operation and admission prices, visit the Hospital in the Rock website. It is truly a remarkable experience.
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