Heroes Square (Budapest)

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Heroes Square in Budapest

On the Heldenplatz ( Hungarian Hősök tere ) in the Hungarian capital Budapest the 36 meter high Millennium memorial dominates. The square can be found in the Pest district . There it marks the end of Andrássy Street and is the gateway to the city ​​park , which stretches with its avenues directly behind the square. The Museum of Fine Arts and the art gallery line Heldenplatz to the side. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

history

Aerial view

During the Budapest Millennium Exhibition in 1896 to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the Magyar conquest, the parliament decided to erect a monument to the heroes of Hungarian history . The architect Albert Schickedanz and the sculptor György Zala were commissioned to implement the Millennium Monument . Schickedanz also designed the two museum buildings that flank the square on both sides. In 1929, 30 years after the start of construction, the construction work on Heldenplatz came to an end.

Over the years Heldenplatz has repeatedly been the stage for decisive events in Hungarian history. During the revolution of 1918-19, the Hungarians smashed the portrait of Emperor Franz Joseph as a sign of the break with the Habsburgs and covered the entire square with red draperies . They also replaced the statues of Árpád with a statue of Marx and a workers and peasants monument.

After 1945, Heldenplatz was repeatedly the scene of political rallies. Hungary came under the influence of Stalin's Soviet Union . The Millennium Monument was a thorn in the side of the communist dictator Mátyás Rákosi , who had come to power . He would have loved to have the monument (with Christian symbols) completely removed, but failed due to resistance from the Hungarian population. However, the communists who came to power succeeded in having the sculptures of the Habsburgs (in their capacity as kings of Hungary) removed and replaced by Hungarian freedom fighters.

The following figures have been removed:

The removed figures were taken to a camp in the village of Sülysáp ( Pest county ). In 2002 the sculpture of Maria Theresa was restored and it came to the Hungarian National Museum . The fate of the other sculptures has not yet been finally decided, but it is planned to restore them too.

In 1989, Imre Nagy and his comrades-in-arms (of the Hungarian popular uprising of 1956) were rehabilitated in a solemn state ceremony at Heldenplatz .

Millennium Monument

Archangel Gabriel on the Millennium Monument
The seven generals of the Magyars at the Millennium Monument

The Millennium Monument (Hungarian: Millenniumi emlékmű ) stands in the middle of the square and commemorates the heroes of Hungarian history. The monument created by Albert Schickedanz and György Zala, which Parliament decided to build during the Millennium celebrations in 1896, was completed in 1929. In the middle rises a 36 meter high column that carries a five meter tall figure of the Archangel Gabriel . He holds the Hungarian crown in one hand and the Apostolic Double Cross in the other . According to legend, the archangel appeared in the Pope's dream and suggested that he give the already prepared royal crown to the Hungarian people.

At the foot of the column are the equestrian statues of Prince Árpád and six other tribal princes from the time of the conquest. (see The Seven General of the Magyars )

Immediately in front of the Millennium Monument is the Heroes Monument , inaugurated in 1929 , a simple stone cuboid with the inscription:

In memory of the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of our people and national independence.

The Millennium Monument is flanked by the colonnade . It is a semicircular, ornate row of columns that serves as the pantheon of Hungarian history. Between the pillars there are statues of rulers and important historical figures of Hungary from the beginnings in Europe to the end of the 19th century.

Figures from left to right:

Museum of fine arts

The Museum of Fine Arts on Heldenplatz

The Museum of Fine Arts ( Szépművészeti Múzeum ) was completed in 1906 and houses the most important collection of non- Hungarian art in Budapest. It presents a wide range of artistic eras, from a small Egyptian collection to ancient Greek and Roman art, to the Renaissance and modern times . The Old Masters Gallery has the largest collection of Spanish artists outside of the Prado . The museum has a graphic collection with works by Marc Chagall , Lucas Cranach , Albrecht Dürer , Pablo Picasso , Nicolas Poussin , Raffael , Rembrandt van Rijn , Peter Paul Rubens and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo . This collection is only presented in excerpts and then in the context of special exhibitions.

Art Gallery

Art gallery on Heldenplatz

The art gallery ( Műcsarnok ) with its Corinthian colonnades houses important temporary exhibitions of contemporary art; it was completed in 1896.

Surroundings

The Stadtwäldchen , which is located directly behind Heldenplatz, was once a swamp area. Today it is one of the most visited parks in the city. Like many other parks, it was created as an English landscape park and today includes museums, sports facilities, a swimming pool and an animal park . Vajdahunyad Castle is on an island in the park's lake . Like other buildings on the island, the castle was planned as a replica of historical buildings in 1896. It was partially decided to expand and maintain the building.

Web links

Commons : Heldenplatz  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 47 ° 30 ′ 55 "  N , 19 ° 4 ′ 41"  E