I simply love walking through the squares of European cities. Architectures, sculptures, fountain, cafes, people, discussions, demonstrations, open shows, street performances, etc., are often part of such squares.
A vibrant atmosphere which can instantly energize any soul. Painters, musicians, dancers, stunt men add an extra charm to such esplanades.
One can feel the beating heart of the city while taking a stroll on European squares. They are always buzzing and brimming with life.
Heroes Square at a Glance
- Hungarian name: Hosok tere
- Where: End of Andrassy Avenue, Budapest 1146, beside City Park
- Built: From 1896, for the thousandth anniversary of the Magyar arrival in 896
- Also called: The Millennium Monument
- Cost: Nothing. It is an open public square with no gate and no ticket.
- Metro: M1, the yellow line, to Hosok tere, right at the square
- UNESCO: World Heritage listed since 2002, together with Andrassy Avenue
- How long: 20 to 30 minutes for the square, half a day if you carry on into City Park
Heroes Square in Budapest
Heroes’ square along with Millennium monument in the Hungarian capital is a part of the urban architectural ensemble of Andrassy Avenue, which is a UNESCO world heritage site.
It was built to commemorate 1000th year of the Hungarian state. It is one of the most photographed and most visited places in Budapest. Heroes square is a must-see place in your Budapest itinerary.
The millennium monument
The millennium monument consists of a semi-circular colonnade, a set of statues, sculptures and a tall column in the middle of the square.
Who Are the Statues at Heroes Square?
This is the question almost everyone arrives with, and the square does not answer it. There are no labels in English anywhere on the monument.
The column in the middle is 36 metres tall and carries the Archangel Gabriel at its top. He holds the Holy Crown of Hungary in one hand and the double cross of Christianity in the other. The legend behind him is lovely: Gabriel appeared to Saint Stephen in a dream and offered him the crown of Hungary.
At the foot of that column stand seven horsemen. These are the Magyar tribal chieftains who brought their people into the Carpathian Basin, and the one in the centre is Prince Arpad. They are the whole reason the monument exists. The year 1896 marked one thousand years since that arrival, and Hungary built this square to say so.
Behind them, the two curved colonnades hold statues of Hungarian kings and national figures. On top of each end sit allegorical groups, and those are the ones I found myself standing in front of the longest. War and peace, work and wealth, knowledge and glory. What each one is saying, and what I think it says, is what the rest of this post is about.
The two grand buildings facing each other across the square are the Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Art.
Symbols and meanings
I believe there are hundreds of ways and forms to express any concept. It is a creative challenge. I have always been passionate about such expressions.
When it comes to symbolic sculptures, I love to note the way the symbol has been expressed through the sculpture.
The top of the tall column – FACT
The top of the tall column in Heroes’ square holds the statue of Archangel Gabriel holding the holy crown of St.Stephen, the first king of Hungary, in the right hand and the double cross of Christianity in the left hand which he gifted to the first king in recognition of his efforts to convert Hungary to Christianity.
The top of the tall column – CREATIVE EXPRESSION
In the name of religion, there were so many wars in the past and some are still going on today. To me the best possible message from all the messengers of any religion at present should be love and only love. No more crowns; No more kings;In this square in Budapest, I came across four symbolic sculptures that represent War, Peace, Labor & Wealth and Knowledge & Glory.
On top of the left colonnade – FACT
On top of the left colonnade, one will find an equestrian statue representing war. A male figure driving a chariot using a snake as a whip.
On top of the left colonnade – CREATIVE EXPRESSION
When I clicked the photograph of this statue, incidentally a flying white dove was captured.
The most important war now is to stop war – the greatest causes of human suffering and death. I wish a world beyond war. Let the messenger of our war to stop war be this dove.
Colonnade that represents labor and wealth – FACT
Another sculpture that is perched on top of the left colonnade, represents labor and wealth.
Colonnade that represents labor and wealth – CREATIVE EXPRESSION
In today’s perspective, to me let sweat represent labor and the greatest wealth be a smiling baby (irrespective of sex).
Representation of Peace – CREATIVE EXPRESSION
There are many ambassadors of peace as I have seen in The Nobel Peace Center in Norway . To me one of the most powerful expressions of peace is a quote
The day power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace.
by Mahatma Gandhi
The statue on the right colonnade – FACT
Another statue on the right colonnade represents knowledge and glory. In it a man is holding a little golden statue and a woman is holding a palm frond.
The statue on the right colonnade – CREATIVE EXPRESSION
I often relate a tree with terms like knowledge and glory.
I believe, the more knowledge one acquires, the more humble one becomes just like a tree which bends with all its branches with time and presents us a glorious sight.
How to Get to Heroes Square
Take metro line M1, the yellow line, to Hosok tere. The station exit opens directly onto the square, so there is no walk at all. M1 opened in 1896 for the same millennium celebrations, which makes the ride there part of the story!
You can also walk the length of Andrassy Avenue from the city centre. It takes about 40 minutes and carries you past the Opera House and rows of grand old townhouses.
The square is open at all hours and costs nothing to visit. Come early in the morning if you want it empty, or at dusk when the colonnades are lit.
What to See Near Heroes Square
- Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Art, facing each other across the square
- City Park, which begins immediately behind the monument
- Szechenyi Thermal Baths, about five minutes on foot
- Vajdahunyad Castle, inside the park and free to walk around outside
- Budapest Zoo, a few minutes further on
Together these make an easy half day, and the square is the natural place to begin.
Heroes Square FAQs
Where is Heroes Square in Budapest?
Heroes Square sits at the end of Andrassy Avenue in Budapest, right beside City Park. The postal district is 1146. Metro line M1 stops directly at the square, so you step out of the station and you are there.
What is Heroes Square famous for?
It is Hungary’s national monument, built in 1896 for the thousandth anniversary of the Magyar arrival in the Carpathian Basin. The Millennium Monument at its centre holds statues of Prince Arpad and the seven chieftains, and the square has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002 along with Andrassy Avenue.
Who are the seven statues at Heroes Square?
The seven horsemen at the base of the central column are the Magyar tribal chieftains who settled Hungary, with Prince Arpad in the middle. They are the reason the monument exists, because 1896 marked a thousand years since that arrival.
What is the statue on top of the column at Heroes Square?
The Archangel Gabriel, standing on a 36 metre Corinthian column. He holds the Holy Crown of Hungary in one hand and the double cross of Christianity in the other. Legend says Gabriel appeared to Saint Stephen in a dream and offered him the crown.
Is Heroes Square free to visit?
Yes. It is an open public square with no gate, no ticket and no opening hours. You can walk across it at any time of day or night.
How do you get to Heroes Square?
Take metro line M1, the yellow line, to Hosok tere. The exit opens straight onto the square. You can also walk the length of Andrassy Avenue from the city centre, which takes about 40 minutes past the Opera House.
How long do you need at Heroes Square?
Twenty to thirty minutes is enough for the square and the monument. Give yourself half a day if you carry on into City Park for the baths, the castle and the zoo.
What buildings are on either side of Heroes Square?
The Museum of Fine Arts stands on one side and the Palace of Art, the Mucsarnok, on the other. Both face onto the square.
What is near Heroes Square?
City Park begins immediately behind the monument. Szechenyi Thermal Baths, Vajdahunyad Castle and Budapest Zoo are all within a few minutes on foot.
When was Heroes Square built?
Work began in 1896 for Hungary’s millennium celebrations, marking a thousand years since the Magyar conquest in 896. The square took decades to finish in the form you see today.
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So, what are your expressions for war, peace, labor & wealth and knowledge & glory? I will be glad to know yours. There are so many things to see and comprehend from not so well known places as well.
It might take a few minutes from our lives, but getting lost in some unknown places (even through reading) is not that bad. Isn’t it?
I hope you have enjoyed Heroes Square in Budapest, Hungary. You may also enjoy these other stories about art, monuments and the meanings behind them:
- Mysterious World of Dreams – The Freud Museum in Vienna
- Death and Life – The famous painting by Gustav Klimt in Leopold Museum, Vienna, Austria
- Enjoy Colors!! Welcome to the butterfly house in Vienna, Austria.
- Old People’s Home – Art that touches your soul!
- Festival of light in Berlin
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