Hidden lift under the Danube: a forgotten memory of the Horthy era

A story by András Károlyi unveils a unique lift concealed beneath the Danube, preserving the memory of a bygone era. The devastating 1923 flood caused significant damage, severely impacting the twin canal linking Dunakeszi and Szentendre Island.

Why did Governor Miklós Horthy need an Elevator?

The restoration process took several months and led to a serious water shortage. As a result, a parallel backup canal was built alongside two walkable tunnels to ensure continuous water flow. To this day, these tunnels house two 700-millimetre-diameter pipes that transport water.

According to a report shared by Fővárosi Vízművek, during the construction of the second tunnel, rumours spread that Governor Miklós Horthy wanted to personally inspect the work. In response, workers quickly began installing lifts at both tunnel shafts so that the 64-year-old governor would not have to climb up and down 25 metres of stairs, as reported by Lelépő.

However, by the time the lifts were halfway completed, Horthy’s visit was cancelled, leaving the unfinished structures abandoned to this day

This is not the only legend surrounding the tunnels beneath the Danube. Towards the end of World War II, the retreating German army planned to destroy the tunnels after blowing up the bridges. According to some accounts, Kálmán Lindenmayer, the chief engineer of the Káposztásmegyer waterworks, and his colleague Brúno Abos convinced the Germans that flooding the tunnels would be sufficient to block Soviet advances.

Another version of events suggests that when word spread of an imminent explosion, workers hastily flooded the tunnels and then informed the Germans that the water had already made entry impossible.

However, historical records clarify the true events. According to the wartime diary of chief engineer Béla Pétsics, military authorities had already begun discussions regarding the tunnels’ fate in early November 1944. As a result, on the night of 12-13 December, they ordered the flooding of the walkable water passage tunnels leading to the pumping stations, directing water through pipes connected to the Szentendre Island shafts.

Although not entirely unexpected, this move helped preserve the tunnels, ensuring that despite wartime difficulties, Budapest continued to receive at least a limited supply of drinking water.

Read also:

• 18th of June – The birthday of Miklós Horthy
• László Almásy: The Hungarian man who served as an explorer, reconnaissance officer, and spy
• Hitler wanted to kill the grandson of Governor Miklós Horthy, he dreaded returning to Hungary – details HERE

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Cover image is an illustration. Photos of the elevator can be viewed on the Lelépő website.