Imagine a modest hill. It is only 234 meters high. This is J\u00f3zsef-hegy. It is now officially called Szeml\u0151-hegy. But its lookout tower still carries the old name.
Welcome to J\u00f3zsef-hegy in Budapest. This unassuming peak is part of the Buda Hills. It is essentially an extension of R\u00f3zsadomb.
The history of J\u00f3zsef-hegy is interesting. In 1928, the F\u0151v\u00e1rosi V\u00edzm\u0171vek built a water reservoir on top of the hill. Later a lookout tower was added to it. Over the past decades the surface of J\u00f3zsef-hegy has been completely built up.
Let us explore J\u00f3zsef-hegy further. The original surface of the hill consisted of Eocene marl. It also had Oligocene Budai marl. The highest point features a Pleistocene freshwater limestone cover. The base consists of Triassic dolomite. This dolomite can be seen in a quarry east of Sz\u00e9pv\u00f6lgyi road.
J\u00f3zsef-hegy extends slightly in a west-east direction. On its northern slopes are the streets of Z\u00f6ldm\u00e1l-v\u00e1rosr\u00e9sz. It slopes steeply towards the Danube in the east. To the south, it gently transitions into R\u00f3zsadomb. Ferenc-hegy is its closest neighbor to the west. A wide saddle along Pusztaszeri road separates them.
The southern slopes of J\u00f3zsef-hegy are home to villas. These often luxurious properties blend into the landscape. On the northern slope lies the entrance to Szeml\u0151-hegyi cave. It formed in well-karstified limestone.
The name J\u00f3zsef-hegy was originally Josephsberg. The name Szeml\u0151-hegy was given on July 17 1847. This was during the Buda dam busters’ christening. G\u00e1bor D\u00f6brentey initiated the name change. He noted this height was the main guard post. It was also a viewing point for the besieging army’s northern section. This was during the recapture of Buda castle in 1686. Later Haynau reinstated the German names. But the Hungarian name returned after the Austrian yoke.
While on J\u00f3zsef-hegy do not expect untouched nature. The hill is almost entirely built up. However a unique natural treasure lies within. The J\u00f3zsef-hegyi cave is the third longest in the Buda Mountains. It is also the sixth longest in Hungary. It contains the world’s largest cave formation of thermal origin. It is called the Kinizsi railway station. Unfortunately regular people cannot see it. Unlike the nearby Szeml\u0151-hegyi and P\u00e1l-v\u00f6lgyi caves the J\u00f3zsef-hegyi cave is not open to visitors. However you can still see its entrance. It is behind the lookout tower near a small brick house.
We hope you enjoyed this tour of J\u00f3zsef-hegy. This modest hill offers unique views and interesting history.