Heroes’ Square is a highly symbolic site in Budapest representing Hungary’s founding and history. In 1895, Hungarians decided to erect a monument to commemorate the one-thousandth anniversary of the victory of the Magyar tribes over the Carpathians, which is the event that led to the founding of the Hungarian state. The seven Magyar tribal chieftains who contributed to this victory are memorialized in statues surrounding a pillar topped by the Archangel Gabriel. Behind the pillar stands two colonnades, each with seven statues representing some of Hungary’s greatest rulers and statesmen, including King Stephen.
Visiting Heroes’ Square
My visit to Heroes’ Square was part of the Rick Steves’ Best of Prague and Budapest tour itinerary. I appreciated visiting this site as part of a tour since our guide, George, did a masterful job of sharing the history of Hungary and the significance of Hereos’ Square. We visited this site on a Saturday morning, and while some other groups were present, it did not feel crowded. I should add that it was a rather dreary and cool morning, so maybe that kept some folks away.
I highly recommend that travelers visit Heroes’ Square when in Budapest. A stop at this site should take about 20 to 25 minutes and can be combined with a visit to Városliget (City Park), which is right next to the square, or with a visit to the Széchenyi Thermal Baths, which is about a 10-minute walk away.
There is no admission cost associated with visiting Heroes’ Square, and the site is accessible.
Heroes’ Square is located at the end of Andrássy Ut and can easily be reached via public transportation.
Travel Tip
Next to Heroes’ Square is the Museum of Fine Arts, which features exhibits displaying items from the ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian civilizations, along with European artwork from 1250 to 1800. The museum is also home to the impressive Romanian Hall. I was interested in visiting this museum, but unfortunately, I did not have the time.
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