Did you know that during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, revolutionaries toppled the statue of a Soviet soldier standing beside Budapest’s iconic Liberty Statue, while the Liberty Statue itself also came close to being removed? Following the suppression of the uprising, the Soviet soldier statue was reinstated, leaving behind a remarkable chapter in the history of one of Budapest’s most recognisable landmarks.
Seventy years later, as Hungary commemorates the anniversary of the 1956 Revolution, the Citadella invites visitors to rediscover this extraordinary historical legacy. On October 23, 2026, admission to the Bastion of Liberty exhibition will be free of charge in honour of this significant national anniversary.
Rising above the city on Gellért Hill, the Citadella is far more than an architectural landmark or a celebrated viewpoint. Its history is deeply intertwined with Hungary’s turbulent past, bearing witness to the country’s struggles for sovereignty, independence and freedom.
The central female figure of Budapest’s iconic Liberty Statue was originally unveiled in 1947 as part of a monument commemorating the Soviet liberation of Hungary during the Second World War. Standing in front of the main figure was a six-metre-tall bronze statue of a Soviet soldier holding a flag and a submachine gun. The monument’s inscription read: “To the memory of the liberating Soviet heroes, from the grateful Hungarian people.”
If you missed it: A new must-see in Budapest: rediscover the Citadella – photos
During the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, the monument, by then widely associated with Soviet domination and the communist dictatorship, became a target of revolutionary protests. Demonstrators first pulled down the Soviet soldier statue using a rope. Plans were also made to topple the central female figure, but according to historical accounts, a student from the Budapest University of Technology alerted the leader of a revolutionary student security unit, who managed to persuade the crowd to spare the statue.
Following the suppression of the revolution, the Soviet soldier statue was restored to its original position, where it remained until the political changes that brought an end to communist rule. In 1992, the statue was finally removed and transferred to Budapest’s Memento Park, where visitors can still see it today.
Today, the beautifully restored Citadella and its Bastion of Liberty exhibition offer visitors an immersive journey through some of the most defining chapters of Hungarian history. Through compelling historical narratives, the exhibition brings to life the courage, sacrifices and aspirations of generations who shaped the nation’s identity, including those who took part in the events of October 1956.
For Budapest’s international community, this anniversary presents a particularly meaningful opportunity to look beyond the city’s familiar landmarks and discover the historical events that continue to shape Hungary’s national consciousness.
Why does October 23 hold such profound significance for Hungarians? What happened on the streets of Budapest in 1956? And how did the Citadella itself become part of this extraordinary chapter of history?
The Bastion of Liberty exhibition offers a fascinating starting point for exploring these questions and gaining a deeper appreciation of Hungary’s enduring relationship with freedom.
This October 23, discover the stories behind Budapest’s iconic landmark, explore Hungary’s remarkable history, and commemorate the heroes of 1956 at the Citadella.
As we wrote before, two Budapest hotels named among Europe’s favourites by Condé Nast Traveler readers
