If you're on the hunt for Insta-worthy spots in Budapest – or just want to soak up some real spring vibes – make your way to Gellért Hill! From the cross above the Cave Church, you'll get breathtaking views (and magical shots) of the Danube and Liberty Bridge, all framed by stunning almond blossoms. It’s one of the most spectacular spring sights in the capital.
Although not native to Hungary, almond trees have become a staple in the Gellért Hill landscape. Originally from Asia, almonds made their way to the Carpathian Basin through Italy. While some think they arrived during the Ottoman period, it's more likely they showed up after the phylloxera outbreak, when vineyards were replaced by fruit orchards. Almonds made great rootstocks for grafting peaches, as they’re tough enough to handle heat, dryness, and calcareous soil – just like grapes. In 1884, Károly Kerkapoly, a former finance minister and vineyard owner, bought land on the southern side of Gellért Hill. There, he swapped out dying vineyards for peach orchards, using hardy almond trees as rootstocks.
Source:
- A Gellért-hegy mandulafái. Fokert.hu
- Viczián Zsófia: Budapesti fák. Látóhatár, Budapest, 2023.
- Kerkapoly Károly életrajza és munkássága. Parlamenti könyvtár
- Rapaics Raymund: A Gellérthegy csodája. A Természet, 1931. március 15.
(Cover photo: Juhász Norbert – We Love Budapest)
