Curious about the source of the name “Boar Head Spring”? The answer lies right here at Disznófő-forrás.
Disznófő-forrás is a natural spring in Budapest. It is located in the XII district. The spring has a fascinating history and several names.
In Turkish times, legend says this area was a resort. It was for the Buda pasha’s harem women. They called the spring King Spring. They kept part of its original name. Or they translated it into Turkish. King Spring became “Kiral bunar” or “Kiral bunar bain” with King Hill.
After the Turks were expelled, buildings were torn down. The spring was renamed Sauwiese or Saukopf after 1686. This was due to the many wild boars living here. “Sau” means sow in German.
The 1982 Budai Mountains guidebook says the name was misinterpreted. Disznófő does not mean boar head. It means Boar Spring. The “fő” suffix meant spring in old Hungarian.
The spring house was built in the late 1820s. In the 1890s, an iron boar’s head spout was added. It was removed in 1955. Later, it was restored to its original form.
In 1847, it was named Matthias Spring. This was for a christening event. But the name did not become popular. King Matthias I of Hungary had a hunting lodge nearby. This spring supplied the lodge with water.
Disznófő-forrás was a popular destination. A restaurant called Disznófő was built in the 1840s. It took its name from the boar’s head on the spring house. By 1857, it was very popular. It could accommodate 600 people. In 1990-91 it could serve 120 people. Today the spring is on private property.
The Disznófő-forrás flows at 378 meters above sea level. It comes from Pannonian sandstone layers. This is on the eastern side of Hármaskút-tető. Its water flow is 3-10 liters per minute. The water temperature is 7.5-8 °C. The dissolved material content is 704 mg/l.
A green-marked hiking trail passes by the spring. A Kossuth Lajos memorial can be seen nearby.
So next time you hear the name Disznófő-forrás remember its history. From harems to boars it has a vibrant past. Although now on private land its story still flows.