Hungarian national monuments and the stories behind them
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In October, Hungary commemorated two national events: the execution of the 13 Martyrs of Arad on 6 October, and the start of the Revolution of 1956 on 23 October. On this occasion, Funzine takes you on a tour to some of Budapest’s most striking monuments.
Memento Park
Situated a few kilometres to the south of Budapest, Memento Park offers visitors a glimpse of the urban-visual culture of Socialist Hungary through a huge collection of original statues and monuments that once dotted the streets of the Hungarian capital.
Easily accessible by bus departing every 10-15th minutes from Kelenföld metro station, Memento Park is the best way to experience what life was like behind the Iron Curtain, except if you’re in possession of a time machine.
The symbolic pieces of art displayed here, including allegorical monuments to the Hungarian-Soviet Friendship, as well as statues of Lenin, Marx, Béla Kun, and the Liberation Army Soldier (a favourite with visitors) are stark reminders of the tyrannous regime. Besides taking selfies with the giant statues, you can also learn about the 1956 revolution and the fall of communism in 1989, and even sit behind the wheel of a classic Trabant.
Batthyány Sanctuary Lamp
Located on the corner of Báthory and Hold utca near the grand Szabadság square, this monument commemorates the first Prime Minister of Hungary, Count Lajos Batthyány who was executed in this place on 6 October, 1849 by a firing squad.
