Budapest (Part 2)

The next day we tootled around the Pest side of Budapest. One of the World Heritage sites is Heroes’ Square, the largest square in Hungary. On one side of the square is the Museum of Fine Arts (with works by Raphael, Titian, El Greco, Goya, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Durer, and Ruebens), faced on the other side by the Palace of Art (an exhibition hall). Both buildings are of an imposing Neo-Classical architecture.

At the centre of Heroes’ Square in the Millenium Monument. It soars above the square. Actually, taking photos of any of the statues/sculptures involved painful cricks in the neck. Everything was of monumental size and soared to the heavens. At the foot of the Monument are statues that symbolize War, Peace, Work and Welfare, Knowledge, and Glory.

My favourite part of the square were the equestrian statues, honouring the seven chieftains of the Hungarian tribes who, led by Arpad, conquered Hungary. We kept tripping up against references and stories about the seven tribes so they are very important, not to mention the source of romantic and thrilling tales.