Our University was moved to Buda from the city of Nagyszombat in 1777. First it was placed in the old royal palace, and the astronomical observing occupied the tower (middle of the picture). While the rest of the university soon had to be moved to Pest, across the Danube, the tower observatory remained in use up to 1815; later, in 1825, it was demolished. In 1815 a new scientific observatory was built on neighbouring Gellért Hill (to the left). Less than half a century after its construction, in 1849 it was completely destroyed in the fights of the revolution. In the era when this lithography was made Gellért Hill Observatory was among the most modern and best equipped observatories in the world. Then, as now, the image of the University was determined by its astronomical facilities.