N. Kósa Judit - Szablyár Péter: Underground Pest - Our Budapest (Budapest, 2002)

"Daddy how goes in…" - artificial caves in the Zoo

■ The artificial rock

framework was made, to which was added the mantle made with mortar whose mixture contained even pig's hairs.

Built into the 19-metre surface of the rock were a water drainage system and special expansion gaps.

When the size of the "plateau" between the peaks of the two rocks was determined, the designer had to take into account the mass of the soil to be spread on the structure, as well as the weight of the visitors and the blanket of snow covering it in winter. An interior space spanning 31.8 metres and topped with a suspended dome was formed beneath the "major" peak. In this space a water reservoir was made, which was meant to serve as the zoo's own mains supply. But then the zoo was connected to the city’s mains system, which had been built in the meantime. The container under the peak of the Greater Rock has been empty ever since...

Another pet idea of Dr. Lendl’s was to arrange a museum in the oval space under the Greater Rock to exhibit the special animals that had perished in the zoo. This is what he wrote about the issue: "In it we shall install a stuffed Arctic

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