Dark Gate

The Dark Gate of Esztergom is a gateway under the huge artificial slope of Castle Hill, built in front of the basilica. Its length is about 90 metres. The tunnel follows the line of the former battlements in front of the eastern castle wall.

The monumental tunnel was built in 1824, during the construction of the Basilica, by Sándor Rudnay, in the neoclassical style. Its structure is vaulted. It was named after the lack of adequate lighting. Its function was to provide a shorter connection between the canon's houses and the seminary, while at the same time ensuring quick access to the Szentgyörgymező district. When the basilica was built, the Castle Hill was artificially filled in, with a slight slope to the east. Since the Dark Gate opens into a huge vaulted basement system, it was possible to reduce the amount of filling of the hill. The Dark Gate was the main site of the events of the 1956 revolution in Esztergom. See History of Esztergom.

The tunnel was renovated in 2006, with a new cobblestone pavement, and since then one-way vehicular traffic to the city centre has been allowed.