Deep within these Buda hills lies a poignant reminder of sacrifice. This is H\u00e1rom katona s\u00edrja. It marks the final resting place of three unknown Hungarian soldiers.
H\u00e1rom katona s\u00edrja stands as a testament to selfless patriotism. The unknown soldier is a symbol. It represents love for the homeland. We honor these unidentified soldiers. In doing so we remember all fallen warriors. Hungary’s most famous unknown soldier rests in Pest’s Heroes’ Square. But Buda has its own similar burial site.
Picture the chaos of February 11, 1945. Hungarian and German soldiers and civilians were trapped in Buda Castle. They desperately tried to break out near Ostrom Street. The attempt turned into a chaotic escape. They fled across Sz\u00e9na Square. Their goal was to escape the city. Some moved towards Sv\u00e1bhegy.
Of the roughly 30,000 Hungarian soldiers fighting in the Castle district, only a few hundred managed to fight their way west. They crossed the Soviet lines. Some were captured. Most perished in the Buda hills or the Zs\u00e1mb\u00e9k basin. Civilians tried to give the fallen a dignified burial. Soldiers’ graves can be found in various locations including the Pilis.
To reach H\u00e1rom katona s\u00edrja start from Normafa. Follow the yellow tourist trail towards Csacsi-r\u00e9t. At a fork, switch to the green cross. A ten-minute walk will lead you to the grave. It is the final resting place for three unknown Hungarian soldiers. They died during the February 1945 breakout. The grave is about three hundred meters from the Children’s Railway tracks. They likely fell where they were buried. A circular stone mound and cross mark the memorial site of H\u00e1rom katona s\u00edrja.
The fates of these war graves vary greatly. Vit\u00e9z K\u0151r\u00f6si K\u00e1lm\u00e1n has cared for this XII district triple grave since 1986. He represents the Historical Order of Vitez. The order regularly commemorates those resting here. They use candles, flowers and wreaths. They also erected a memorial pole in their honor at H\u00e1rom katona s\u00edrja.
In 2014 someone removed the original tombstone. Its inscription read “Here lie three unknown Hungarian soldiers 1945”. They replaced it with a sign that said “Three Soldiers”. A Hungarian-German plaque was also added. The erected memorial pole disappeared too. Their intentions might have been good. However, these historical memorial sites should be preserved. They should be maintained in their original condition. They should not be altered regardless of motivation.
But the story has a happy ending. In 2016 the original inscription was accidentally found in the forest. K\u0151r\u00f6si K\u00e1lm\u00e1n has since returned it to the grave. Thanks to his care interest in soldiers’ graves has been revived. Many now visit this site. They remember those who fell near H\u00e1rom katona s\u00edrja.