Heroes' Square (Hosok tere), Budapest

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On the top of the column we see the sculpture of archangel Gabriel (1.st pic), who holds Saint Stephen`s Holy Crown and the Double Cross. This is also a work of György Zala, like the allegorical statues of:

2.the Peace and
3.the War.

The communists, in the 1940`s destroyed some of the statues (representing habsburg kings, wich were replaced by other personalities), and they wanted to demolish also the column on wich we see the archangel Gabriel to give place to the huge monument of stalin.

Fortunately this has never occured, All the square, included the statues, in the 90`s was completely renovated. The refurbishment finished in 2001, and this year, in 2006 also the Museum of the fine arts has regained it`s original beauty.
But on this square we find another interesting building: -->

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...and...

1. Gábor Bethlen (1613-1629)
2. Imre Thököly (1690)

The next statue represents:

3. Ferenc Rákóczy the II.nd, the leader of the indipendence war against the Habsburgs (1703-1711)

The last statue that you can see on the monument is a portrait of the big statesman of the XIX.century:

4. Lajos Kossuth(1802. 19th.september–1894. 20th.march)

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On the left wing(if you stay in front of the monument) you find the following kings from the Árpád dynasty:
Szent István (Saint Stephen) 997(monarch)-1000(king)-1038-the very first king of Hungary, the founder of the country
Szent László (Saint Leslie) (1077-1095)-important king, famous for it`s very severe laws and for the miracles he made.
Könyves Kálmán (1095-1116)-Saint Leslie`s son, the most erudite of the kings of this dynasty (könyves means= of the books)
András (or Endre) the 2nd (1205-1235)-he gave out the famous golden bull in 1222 wich disposed of the rights of the nobiles
Béla the IVth. (1235-1270)-This king rebuilt the country after the mongolian invasion and devastation (1241-1242).

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The Art hall (Műcsarnok) was built in 1896 for the Millenary Exhibition. It was the same architect, Albert Schickedanz to make the plans, who worked on the construction of the Museum of the Fine Arts. It hasn`t got an own collection, therefore it has no permanent exhibition. In exchange it offers 2500 square meters for different kinds of exhibitions and it has a pubblic artistical library as well.

This is one of Budapest’s greatest must sees. Everything is huge in this square. The square was laid out 1896 to mark the 1000th anniversary of the Magyar conquest. The Millennium Monument, at its centre, has a 36m (120 foot) high column topped by the figure of Archangel Gabriel, and this is surrounded by the chieftains who led the Magyar tribes into the Carpathian Basin. Behind this, a semicircular colonnade displays statues of Hungary’s most illustrious leaders. On top of the semicircle, there are four symbolic statues: Work and Wealth on the left, two chariots depicting War and Peace in the centre, and Honour and Glory on the right. The stone tablet in front of the main column, commemorates those who died for national freedom and independence.

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I recommend really educating yourself on these monuments in this great city. From an age gone past, these Magyars who originated from asia came and dominated over the majority rural farming population. With an iron fist they subjugated the poor people into Serfdom. Such is the injustice that was the law of the day back then. Crazy stuff. These guys were the most hardcore Warriors ever! awesome

This is a MUST SEE! Because you can see the most famous street in europe, Vaci Street leading up to the square, which is a lovely street with important government buildings and great boulevard and walking path.

And behind the square is the City Park (Varosliget), which has an outdoor skating rink, and a great historic and beautiful castle with a great gate. Overall though it is just a fabulous park where people go for afternoon parks.

Thermal Bath is also in this park so remember your speedo!

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Heroes' Square lies at the end of Andrassy Ut. The Millenium Memorial is in the centre of Heroes' Square and is surrounded by important figures from Hungarian history including the leaders of the seven tribes who founded Hungary in the 9th century.
Budapest's Museum of Fine Arts and the Art Exhibition Museum are located on either side of Heroes' Square. One of the city's parks are located behind the Square.

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Dominating Heroes Square is the Millennium Momument. The monument is comprised of the Corithian column in the center and two curved colonnades to each side.

The Corinthian column is toped with the Arcangel Gabriel who is holding King Istvan's crown and the apostolic cross. At the base of the column are statues of Prince Arpad and six of the conquering Magyar warriors and the stone in front of the column marks the "Tomb of the Unknown Solier"

The two colonnades which are on each side of the column have allegorical compositions at each end. Statues of "great Hungarians" are arranged inside the colonades.

The monument which commerates Hungary's Millennium Celebrations in 1896, was not completed until 1929. It was designed by Gyorgy Zala and Albert Schikedanz.