High on Szélhegy’s peak a panorama unfolds. Before us lies a breathtaking view. The northern slopes of the Buda Hills stretch to the south of the Pilis mountain range. The Pilisvörösvári basin spreads beneath us. Szélhegy’s modest height belies its significance. It is one of the best viewpoints in the basin.
Szélhegy a solitary peak stands apart from the main Buda Hills range. It is located in Solymár Pest County. The Budapest-Esztergom railway line runs close by. Its summit reaches 242 meters above sea level. From this vantage point you can enjoy unparalleled views.
Szélhegy’s geological composition is unique. It’s an ancient residual island formed within the Pilisvörösvári basin. Its base consists of Upper Triassic Carnian-age Hauptdolomit. This makes it exceptional among its neighboring hills. While Hauptdolomit is widespread in the region even appearing 200 meters below the surface it rarely reaches the surface. Most surrounding hills are capped with newer formations. Zsíros-hegy and Nagy-Szenás are an exception formed of Middle Triassic dolomitic limestone.
Evidence suggests a rich history. Archaeological digs in the 1970s uncovered traces of a burial ground. These were dated to the Hungarian conquest period mainly the 10th century. Further investigations in 1974 revealed remnants of a 14th-century cemetery. A few 13th-century shards were also found. The presence of settlement traces leads some to believe that Szélhegy may have been home to a medieval village. This could have been Kandé Fémes or Ivánfelde. Or perhaps a settlement that predates the 13th-century villages.
Local accounts suggest a larger possibly medieval cemetery once stood near the summit. Some accounts even mention a small chapel perhaps from the 18th century. Old maps refer to this elevation as Altkalwarienberg. No physical remains of this chapel exist today. Another older local name Plutipéeg or Plutiberg is of unknown origin. Some speculate it may have originated as Blutberg meaning Blood Mountain. This could refer to a past violent event.
In the 1990s the Golgota Foundation built a new Stations of the Cross. This replaced an older mostly destroyed Calvary. The stations begin a few tens of meters south of the summit. They then spiral upwards to the top. Three crosses mark the summit. A steep concrete staircase leads back to the starting point where an artificial cave marks the 14th station. The 15th station celebrating the Resurrection stands at the village’s Catholic church. Local businesses and families funded the Stations of the Cross. Each station bears a small marble plaque naming the donors.
Today Szélhegy presents a blend of nature and history. The southern slopes are largely built up with two supermarkets nearby. The western and northern foothills retain holiday homes. The remaining uncultivated grasslands are under local protection. Szélhegy remains a testament to the passage of time a silent observer of history’s unfolding drama. The view from the top still captures the essence of the Buda Hills and the surrounding areas.