"The Austo-Hungarian Emperor and Hungarian King, Franz Joseph, had the stronghold built in 1851 following the suppression of the 1848-49 War of Independence to keep the rebellious city under the control of his cannons. Today the complex is a tourist destination.The Citadel, designed by Emánuel Zita and Ferenc Kasselik, was never suited to the requirements of modern warfare, even at the time of its construction, and served rather as a deterrent to the Hungarians. Sixty canons were placed in this 220 metre-long, 60 metre-wide and 4 metre-tall fortress.
Following the Compromise with the Hapsburgs in 1867 (Hungarian Kiegyezés, German Ausgleich ) the Hungarians demanded the destruction of the Citadel, but the garrison troops left only in 1897, when the main gate was symbolically damaged. In the 1960's following much debate the decision was made to turn it into a tourist centre. A wonderful view over the city opens up from the terraces and the walls of the Citadel."
Source: hungarystartshere.com
07.03.2008