Buda Arboretum lies at the southern foot of Gellért Hill, a conservation area and university campus – like the ELTE Botanical Gardens in Pest. Once this area was full of vineyards but they were destroyed by phylloxera at the end of the 19th century. The first educational institution was established here by Ferenc Entz, a military doctor during the Hungarian War of Independence in 1848-49. Although the grapes disappeared, the gardeners' training school remained, and was expanded into other fields. Today they also train landscapers, viticulturists and master brewers. Visiting Buda Arboretum is free of charge all year round.
