Vaskapu

Vaskapu is a cave located in Pilisszentkereszt in the Pilis Mountains within the Danube–Ipoly National Park. The cave (rock gate) is also described in tourist guidebooks.

The Vaskapu rock is a geological value situated in a specially protected natural area, to which no marked tourist trail leads. Thus, its visitation is theoretically possible only with permission from the nature conservation authority.

Description

The rock gate is located in the Pilis Mountains, in the outskirts of Pilisszentkereszt, 2 km from the centre of Pilisszentkereszt towards NyÉNy, on the D side of the Vaskapu gorge, at an elevation of 570 m above sea level. The Vaskapu, lying in the specially protected area, is one of Hungary’s most remarkable rock climbing schools, which lies on the side of the Pilis mountain and faces the valley extending towards Pilisszentkereszt. The rock arch consisting of a double massive gate arch has been known as a rock climbing school since the 19th century and is still visited today for its excellent scenic qualities, wild romantic environment and view. In 1929 a memorial plaque was erected here by the Hungarian Tourist Association Zsigmondy Society in honor of the best Hungarian mountaineer, Emil Zsigmondy, and since then it has become the site of commemorative events for Hungarian climbers.

The opening of the rock gate does not reach 2 m in length, but because side passages branch off from it, it can be considered a separate cave. The cave was formed in Upper Triassic Dachstein limestone, probably under phreatic conditions. Its present state is the result of natural surface erosion. No equipment is required to explore the cave, which can be visited without permission. On the opposite side of the gorge valley leading to the rock climbing school there is also a rock wall usable for climbing, but it is heavily overgrown with vegetation.

The cave (rock) occurs in its literature under the names Kőkapu (Schafarzik 1884), Nagy-Kapu (Szegő 1948), Nagy Sziklakapu (Kraus 1997), Pilisi kőkapu (Kadić 1938), Pilisi kőkapuk (Kadić 1952), Pilisi Vaskapu (Turisták Lapja 1889), Pilisi-Vaskapu (Bertalan, Schőnviszky 1976) and Vaskapu-szikla (Szegő 1948).

Research History

In the 1884 volume of the Geological Gazette, in a study written by Ferenc Schafarzik, it is stated that the Kőkapu, which can be seen from Pilisszentkereszt in the direction of NyÉNy, lies on the steep western slope of the Pilis mountain. The rock group protruding from the dense forest has thick Dachstein limestone layers that dip at 40° (2 hours) to the east. The characteristic of this rock group is that its upper layer has remained, but the second and third layers beneath it have broken into fragments and stand upright, therefore (as can be seen in the accompanying drawing) a wide gate has been formed. The drawing of Vaskapu is shown in the study.

In the 1889 volume of Turisták Lapja, in the publication titled A Pilisi Vaskapu, it is mentioned that among the natural beauties of the Pilis mountain area a particularly striking rock formation, called Vaskapu by the people, stands out. The steep western slope of Pilis mountain ends in a 648 m high cone from Pilisszentkereszt towards the east-northeast, which is separated from the main mass of the mountain by a deeply cut valley on the north side. On the steep western slope of this eastward‑extending cone a huge rock group rises from the forest density, drawing attention from a distance because of its shape. A natural stone gate is a gate whose huge arch allows the sky to be seen when looking through it. The rock consists of Dachstein limestone and, according to Ferenc Schafarzik, is unusual because its upper layer has remained, while the second and third layers beneath it have broken into fragments and collapsed, forming a wide gate. From Pilisszentkereszt, following the Mexican road and turning left at the edge of the forest, Vaskapu can be reached in 45 minutes. A black‑and‑white photograph of Vaskapu was attached to the article. (The photograph was taken by Jenő Weinzierl, elementary school principal of Csobánka.)

In the guidebook written by Gusztáv Thirring and published in 1900 it is mentioned that by following the yellow sign and descending into the Trisztoki valley, after 10 minutes, exiting the forest (here, by turning right onto the road marked red and blue, one can reach Pilisszentkereszt) one can glimpse the huge rock gate on the top of Vaskapu, steeply inclined toward the sky, whose massive arch allows the sky to be seen when looking through it. The rock, made of Dachstein limestone, has its upper layer preserved, while the second and third layers beneath it have broken into fragments and collapsed, forming a wide gate.

In the book published in 1913, titled Pilisszentkereszt and its surroundings, it is written that a particularly beautiful view opens from Vaskapu, which is located on the side of the Pilis mountain. On Pilis mountain there are caves and rock gates, which Gyula Szücs draws the attention of the National Hungarian Cave Explorers Association to here as well. Because of the caves and rock gates the mountain was also favored by hermits. Starting from the Dobogókő shelter, before reaching the cart road lying in the Chilova valley, Vaskapu can be seen. Vaskapu is one hour from Pilisszentkereszt. Walking on the Mexican cart road towards ÉNy, from the Vaskapu valley to the left, or on the scout trail leading from the Trézsi spring on the side towards Pilisszentkereszt, one can reach Vaskapu on foot towards ÉNy. This huge, steep rock wall, which ends in a sharp ridge, is also visible from Pilisszentkereszt (648 m).

The very interesting Vaskapu has a large and a small gate. It is astonishing that its upper part has survived, but the middle is completely missing (though rather regularly). The double rock gate is 25 m high. The large arch is 5–6 m high and 5 m wide, the small arch is 4 m high and 3 m wide. Through the hole of the larger gate the sky can be seen beautifully. At a distance there is a cavity widening inward, which could serve as good shelter against weather conditions (perhaps also at night). After climbing onto the rocks lying behind the gate one can admire the extraordinary view. The book contains a black‑white photograph that shows one part of Vaskapu. The map in the publication presenting Pilisszentkereszt and its surroundings illustrates the geographical location of Vaskapu.