High above the city Zugliget awaits. This is no ordinary suburb. It holds centuries of secrets nestled amongst its hills.
Zugliget once played a vital role in supplying Buda and Pest. Imagine fields stretching as far as the eye could see. Around 40000 vineyards thrived here in 1713. Wild boars deer and pheasants roamed the forests. Hunting rights belonged to the city.
The Kayser map of 1780 shows only eight buildings in Zugliget. A stark contrast to today. The 19th century brought change. People flocked to Zugliget for picnics. The area blossomed with inns. The Szarvas Inn the Fácán Inn and the Laszlovszky Manor became popular spots. Kossuth Lajos was even arrested in Zugliget in 1837. Empress Elisabeth herself summered here in 1861.
Zugliget’s permanent population grew by the turn of the 20th century. A school was built in 1896 to educate the children. It still stands today though much expanded. A network of omnibuses and horse-drawn carriages helped transport people. In 1868 a horse-drawn railway started operating. This later became a tram line in 1896. A terrible tram accident in 1900 spurred the line’s extension.
The iconic tram line 58 operated until 1977. It served Zugliget for decades. Its demise is often lamented by locals. The line was replaced by buses. The famed Fácán Inn a magnificent structure designed by Hild József was later used as a military base. It now stands derelict.
Today Zugliget is different. Luxury villas dot the hills. The area’s charm remains. The Libegő chairlift provides breathtaking views. It opened in 1970. The American ambassador’s residence also sits within Zugliget. The legacy of Zugliget’s past however endures. Its stories live on.