PHOTOS: Budapest’s guardian angel removed from Heroes’ Square

Archangel Gabriel, Budapest’s guardian angel, has been looking over some of the most beautiful parts of the capital for 123 years. Yesterday, the statue was removed for restoration and is expected to return next year. Check out some photos below! 

Budapest’s guardian angel was in a deteriorated state

According to a National Heritage Institute’s Facebook post, the statue of Archangel Gabriel looking over Budapest from the top of a Corinthian column in the capital’s popular Heroes’ Square has been removed for restoration. The statue needed a quick revamp due to its deteriorated state.

Photo: FB/National Heritage Institute

The Millenium Monument of the Heroes’ Square is one of the emblematic places in Hungary where many tourists pay a visit and take some selfies. The monument depicts some of the turning points of the Hungarian history in the Carpathian basin, from its conquest to the 1848-1849 freedom fight.

Watching over the square from the top of a 36-metre-high Corinthian column is the artistic masterpiece of György Zala, the statue of Archangel Gabriel. Gabriel holds in its right hand the Holy Crown of Hungary, while in the left, there is the Patriarchal cross, just as in the legendary dream of Saint Stephen, the first Christian king of Hungary who – based on the legend – received the Holy Crown from the pope.

The restoration will take 6-12 months

The restoration of the 123-year-old sculpture began in July, but first, experts carefully examined, inspected and 3D scanned it to gain proper information about its state and record all its damages. The statue is almost five meters tall and has not undergone a significant renovation since its installation in 1901.

Photo: FB/National Heritage Institute

According to the National Heritage Institute, scaffolding was erected around the column and the sculpture enabling the take-off of the statue with the help of a crane. The restoration will take 6-12 months based on its inner state. They will strengthen not only the statue but also the pedestal. It is expected that the statue will occupy its original place on the column and over Budapest in spring 2025.

Photo: FB/National Heritage Institute

Read also:

• The symbolic meaning of the Heroes’ Square in Budapest – PHOTOS and more HERE
• Did you know?! 5 interesting facts about Budapest’s iconic spot, the Heroes’ Square