Aranyhegy-Ürömhegy-Péterhegy

Climbing the slopes of Budapest’s Arany-hegy offers a unique perspective on the city. This hill, part of the Aranyhegy-Ürömhegy-Péterhegy neighborhood, has a captivating story to tell. Aranyhegy-Ürömhegy-Péterhegy became an official Budapest neighborhood as recently as 2012. It combined the existing Aranyhegy and Ürömhegy areas with parts of Péter-hegy, creating this new district. Péter-hegy itself, reaching a height of 145 meters, officially received its name in 1847, replacing the former German name, Petersberg. Aranyhegy-Ürömhegy-Péterhegy’s boundaries are defined by several key landmarks and streets. These include the Bécsi út, Aranyvölgy utca, Aranyhegyi út, Pusztakúti út, and the administrative boundary of Budapest. This area is rich in history, particularly Arany-hegy, known for its vineyards cultivated since the 18th century by the “braunhaxlerek,” or “brown trousers.” This nickname, given by the local German-speaking population, referred to the workers’ soiled trousers from their labor on the hill. The area also once housed a brick factory, the Aranyhegyi téglagyár, between 1925 and 1945. It was located at Aranyvölgy utca 10, at the intersection of Aranyvölgy utca and Taliga utca. Today, this area is filled with family houses. Another fascinating feature of Arany-hegy, within the Aranyhegy-Ürömhegy-Péterhegy district, is the Pogány-torony, or “Pagan Tower.” Designed by Géza Täubel and built by Géza Wührl in 1934, it stands at the corner of Jutasi and Pogánytorony streets. This hexagonal tower was originally about 12-13 meters tall, topped by a turul statue. Commissioned by the Turáni Társaság (Turanian Society), it was intended to be a symbol of the ancient Turanian religion and culture. The tower has served various purposes throughout history. It was used as an air defense observation tower after World War II and later became private property. Sadly, its condition has deteriorated over the years. The local government hopes to restore and repurpose the tower. However, negotiations with the current owner are ongoing. The tower and its surrounding gardens, once vibrant, now lie overgrown and neglected. Despite its current state, the Pogány-torony serves as a reminder of a complex and often overlooked chapter of Budapest’s past. It stands as a silent witness to the changing tides of history, adding another layer of intrigue to the already fascinating story of Aranyhegy-Ürömhegy-Péterhegy.