The Hospital in the Rock is the built-up part of an extended network of natural caves and tunnels under the Buda Castle in Budapest.
Since the Middle Ages, the locals have used the 10 km (6 miles) long underground caves.
The hospital played a crucial role as an emergency facility during World War II and the 1956 revolution.
It was developed into an atomic bunker during the Cold War, so Hospital in the Rock is also known as the Rock Hospital Nuclear Bunker Museum.
Its location was strictly secret until 2002.
Today the Hospital in the Rock is a museum whose objective is to showcase the true face of war and highlight the value of peace.
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What to expect at Rock Hospital
The Rock Hospital can only be visited as part of the official 1-hour long guided tour.
During your visit, a local guide will take you through cramped operating theaters and machinery-filled nuclear bunkers, all of which have been restored to their wartime conditions.
Guests can even participate in a competitive nuclear readiness drill against other tourists.
Hospital in the Rock tour tickets
This is a 3-hour long guided tour out of which you spend one hour exploring the Rock Hospital Museum.
You will meet your guide at the Holy Trinity Statue, from where you walk around the magnificent Matthias Church.
Along the way, you will also see the Fishermen’s Bastion, Hungarian Parliament building, President’s Palace, the Royal Palace, etc.
During the last leg of the tour, you will receive a physical Hospital in the Rock ticket from your guide and step into the museum.
You can cancel this ticket up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund.
Cost of tickets
Adult ticket (up to 69 years): 25430 Ft (€68)
Senior ticket (70+ years): 19860 Ft (€54)
Visiting Rock Hospital with kids
Due to the disturbing and shocking design of the exhibition, young children under six are not allowed to visit the museum.
Even though the Rock Hospital & Nuclear Bunker museum is not recommended for children under 12 years of age, they can visit under the supervision of a parent/guardian.
How to reach Rock Hospital & Nuclear Bunker
The underground Rock Hospital is only a few minutes away from the Matthias Church.
When you book the guided tour of Hospital in the Rock, you will meet your guide at Budapest, Szentháromság tér, 1014 Hungary Szentháromság Square, in front of the Holy Trinity Column opposite the front gate of Matthias Church. Get Directions
Check out this video to find the path you and your guide will follow to reach the Rock Hospital Museum –
Hospital in the Rock’s timings
Hospital in the Rock in Budapest is open from 10 am to 7 pm all days of the week.
The ticket office closes at 6 pm, and the last entry is an hour before the museum’s closure.
The museum remains closed on 1 Jan, 1 Nov, 24-25 Dec, and 31 Dec.
Essential information
It is important to note that photography is not permitted within the Rock Hospital Museum.
The Rock Hospital has a few steps, but you can access most of the museum with a wheelchair.
If the guided tour is not available in English due to unforeseen circumstances, written English language documents are always provided during the tour.
Sources
# Budacastlebudapest.com
# Whichmuseum.com
# Tripadvisor.com
# Wikipedia.org
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