To say there are numerous and notable monuments located throughout Budapest, Hungary would be an understatement. The Freedom Statue and Heroes Square are some of the most famous monuments in the city, but Shoes on the Danube and the monuments in the Freedom Square engage viewers in a very different way. However, Budapest contains a number of monuments that vary in terms of their fame and how they engage audiences of all types.
The Gerard of Csanád Monument honors Gerard Sagredo, who was the first Bishop of Csanád in the Kingdom of Hungary around 1030. In 1904 a monument was erected at the site where Gellért met his death and can be seen from all over Budapest. It’s possible to climb the stairs behind the monument to get a closer look at the monument as well as a powerful view of the entire city.
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge spans the Danube River between Buda and Pest and was first opened in 1849. When it was built it was considered an engineering wonder, becoming a symbol of the city thanks to the decorations made of iron, guardian lions and countless other features.
Empress Elizabeth of Austria became queen of Hungary in 1867 after marrying Emperor Franz Josef at 16. Lovingly nicknamed Sisi, a statue of her resides by the symbolic gate of District VII and depicts her strolling in a light summer dress holding a parasol.
The Fat Policeman statue sits on a street that links St. Stephen’s Basilica with the Danube and has turned into one of the more notable monuments in the city. His round belly is supposed to symbolize, Hungarian cuisine, and it’s taken a literal shine thanks to the legend that says rubbing the policeman’s stomach is supposed to bring good luck
These are just a few of the obscure and outstanding monuments that are spread across Budapest. These monuments and plenty others all have unique histories and stories that have helped to serve as attractions for visitors and points of pride for residents in order to create positive economic and cultural impacts for Budapest and Hungary as a whole.
