Heroes' Square

Hősök tere

The millennium memorial square at the end of Andrássy Avenue, with seven Magyar tribal chieftains on horseback and royal statues on the colonnades, flanked by the Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Art.

Heroes' Square was built in 1896 to mark the millennium of the nation and was completed in 1929; it is the largest square in Budapest. At its centre, the 36-metre Millennium Monument is topped by the Archangel Gabriel holding the Holy Crown and a cross. Its base features Árpád and the seven chieftains of the conquering tribes on horseback. Behind it, two curved colonnades hold statues of 14 Hungarian rulers and national heroes, from Saint Stephen to Kossuth. The top of the colonnades bears allegorical sculptures of Labour and Wealth, War, Peace, Knowledge and Glory. In front of the column stands the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, where wreaths are often laid during state events. On the left of the square is the Museum of Fine Arts (Szépművészeti Múzeum), rich in European classical painting, with works by El Greco, Raphael and Goya; admission is about 4,800 forints. On the right is the Műcsarnok (Palace of Art), which hosts contemporary exhibitions. Behind the square lies City Park (Városliget): Vajdahunyad Castle (Vajdahunyad vára), a 'model castle' combining architectural styles from across Hungary's history and housing an Agricultural Museum; a lake that becomes an open-air skating rink in winter; the Széchenyi Thermal Baths; a zoo; and the newly built Museum of Ethnography and House of Hungarian Music. Getting there: exit at Hősök tere station on metro line M1, about 10 minutes from the city centre. The best approach is to walk or take the M1 along Andrássy Avenue (a UNESCO World Heritage site, passing the Opera House and the House of Terror Museum), then visit the baths. Plan for half a day to a full day.

Heroes' Square

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