Hidden stories: The unknown heroes of Budapest’s wharf

During the second world war, many brave heroes and heroines served the nation. Their legacy is remembered as we walk along the wharf sections that run through the Buda side. In this article, we will present you with their incredible humanitarian work during the war times. All of them are considered to be Righteous Among the Nations by the Yad Vashem Institute. We will go through the wharf section from north to south.

Margit Slachta

Born in 1884 at Kassa in a Polish family, she became the first female member of the Hungarian Parliament. She was often referred to as “the only man in the national assembly” because she stood up bravely for her principles. Other than her extensive political and social carrier she is also remembered as a heroine. She campaigned against the propaganda of Hitler and as she was a nun, she helped shelter the prosecuted in monasteries.

Angelo Rotta

Born in 1895, he was an Italian Catholic priest and diplomat. From the start of the war, he helped Polish refugees and Jews. Later, he took more drastic measures when diplomatic ventures seemed to fail. Instead of issuing 2,500 protective passes from the Vatican, he gave 19,000. Just in his own house, he had sheltered more than 200 people.

Gábor Sztehlo

He was a Hungarian Evangelic priest who helped save children during the war. Until the Christmas of 1944, he organised the setup of 32 safehouses. He saved about 1,600 children from certain death, while he also arranged protection and accommodation for about 400 workers.

Friedrich Born

He was a Swiss businessman, who became the delegate of the International Committee of the Red Cross between May 1944 and June 1945. He operated orphanages, children’s homes and public kitchens during the war. By issuing Red Cross protective passes he saved about 15,000 Jewish civilians from deportation.