Ever wondered about the origin of such a dramatic name? V\u00e9rhalom. It means “Blood Hill” in Hungarian. V\u00e9rhalom is a district in Budapest’s second district. It sits on the southern slope of Ferenc Hill.
In 1847, V\u00e9rhalom got its name. Before that, it was called Franzisciberg. This renaming was part of a larger movement. It aimed to replace German place names with Hungarian ones.
D\u00f6brentei G\u00e1bor proposed renaming 56 locations in 1844. He was a poet, royal councilor and member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. D\u00f6brentei published a series of articles. These articles were titled “Re-Hungarianization in Pest”.
Some names reverted to pre-Turkish Hungarian forms. Others directly translated German names. V\u00e9rhalom emerged from legend. It is a less friendly sounding name.
Several unconfirmed legends surround V\u00e9rhalom. One story says H\u00e9derv\u00e1ri Kont Istv\u00e1n was buried here. He plotted unsuccessfully against King Sigismund. Another tale claims Hunyadi L\u00e1szl\u00f3 was first buried here. This was before his body went to Gyulafeh\u00e9rv\u00e1r. A third legend says Martinovics Ign\u00e1c and other conspirators were buried here.
The boundaries of V\u00e9rhalom include several streets. These are T\u00f6r\u00f6kv\u00e9sz Road, Ferenchegyi Road and Pusztaszeri Road. Also Cimbalom Street, V\u00e9rhalom Square, V\u00e9rhalom Street, Als\u00f3 T\u00f6r\u00f6kv\u00e9sz Road, Bog\u00e1r Street and Endr\u0151di S\u00e1ndor Street. Finally, Endr\u0151di S\u00e1ndor Lane and G\u00e1rdonyi G\u00e9za Street.
Only some of the new names became popular. B\u00e1tory Hill is now H\u00e1rs Hill. Virrad\u00f3, M\u00e1ty\u00e1scsorg\u00f3 and N\u00e1dork\u00fat are forgotten. Csat\u00e1rka, Csilleb\u00e9rc and Dobog\u00f3 are still used. Also Farkasr\u00e9t, Farkasv\u00f6lgy, Gazdagr\u00e9t and Kelen-b\u00e9rc remain. Kelenf\u00f6ld, K\u0151\u00e9rberek and Kurucles are still known. K\u00fatv\u00f6lgy, Mad\u00e1rhegy and M\u00e1rtonhegy persist. Naphegy, N\u00e9metv\u00f6lgy and Ny\u00e9k survive. \u00d6rd\u00f6g-\u00e1rok, \u0150rmez\u0151 and \u00d6rs\u00f6d are still around. P\u00e1lv\u00f6lgy, Pasar\u00e9t and P\u00e9terhegy are in use. Petneh\u00e1zyr\u00e9t, R\u00e9zm\u00e1l and Sasad endure. Sas-hegy, Spanyolr\u00e9t and Sv\u00e1bhegy are still recognized. Szeml\u0151hegy, Sz\u00e9pv\u00f6lgy and T\u00f6r\u00f6kv\u00e9sz live on. V\u00e9rhalom, Zugliget and Z\u00f6ldm\u00e1l also owe their names to D\u00f6brentei.
D\u00f6brentei’s work highlighted Hungarian naming. It showed the importance of reflecting the city’s life and history. Now, as you stand here in V\u00e9rhalom, remember its layered past. Consider the legends and the conscious effort to shape its identity.