The history of the Citadel standing atop Gellért Hill in Budapest is much more than just a simple story of fortification: it is also a symbol of power, oppression, and then freedom. This complex past is evoked by the open-air exhibition entitled „From Oppression to Freedom – The History of the Citadel on Gellért Hill,” which can be visited free of charge from February 20 to mid-April on the ramp leading to the Gloriett in the Castle Garden Bazaar. The exhibition presents the more than 150-year history of the Citadel. The fortress was built after the defeat of the 1848-49 War of Independence on the orders of the Austrian imperial authorities as part of a system of military fortifications designed to maintain control over the city. However, after the Compromise, Budapest’s rapid development slowly encircled the previously isolated fortress, and by the end of the 19th century, it was already being considered for a new role. The symbolic demolition of the walls began at this time. By the beginning of the 20th century, the Citadel had become a defining feature of the capital’s skyline and a popular destination for excursions. After World War II, however, the Soviet victory monument erected on Gellért Hill once again gave the place a powerful political significance. From the 1960s onwards, attempts were made to put the complex to use for tourism, but its condition continued to deteriorate, and the neglected building complex did not find a truly worthy function even in the decades following the change of regime. The turning point came only in recent years: the Citadel underwent a comprehensive renovation and is now being reborn as a 21st-century urban community space. New entrances have been opened in the walls, the area around the Liberty Statue has been renovated, and, according to the plans, visitors will be able to enjoy not only the panorama but also landscaped spaces, interactive exhibitions, family-friendly community venues, a café, and a gift shop. The open-air exhibition at the Várkert Bazár presents the story of this transformation. Visitors can learn about the history of the Citadella and Gellért Hill through ten free-standing installations illuminated at night and twenty tableaux, tracing the path from military fortification to urban symbol. The exhibition not only provides a historical overview, but also presents the process by which the former citadel gradually became an open, communal space in Budapest. The exhibition, which is free to visit, is also a great opportunity to discover the past and future of one of the capital’s most famous panoramic viewpoints. 1/3 ×