Spectacular VISUAL PLANS: Rebirth of the nation’s historic main square in Budapest

The National Hauszmann Programme has announced that the historic Saint George Square will undergo a significant transformation in the coming years, becoming greener, more organised, and more ornate.

Nation’s historic main square to be reborn

Photo: Facebook/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program

Located at the heart of the Budavár Palace District, a World Heritage site, the square is a symbol of Hungary’s independent statehood, the Facebook post of the National Hauszmann Programme writes. Its revitalisation aims to pay off a longstanding cultural debt. The project will begin in early 2025, with the goal of completing it within a few years. The new design will honour historical traditions while meeting modern standards.

A central feature will be the Freedom Column (Szabadság oszlopa), designed by Italian architect and sculptor Marco Casagrande in 1848. This grand monument, inspired by the revolution, will be surrounded by a 12-sided marble basin with lion sculptures.

Photo: Facebook/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program

The Freedom Column will symbolically replace the Hentzi Monument, which long represented Austrian oppression after the 1848-49 Revolution. The new monument area will feature decorative paving and utilise large cobblestones from the current surface.

Expansive and accessible pedestrian areas

Photo: Facebook/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program

The square will retain Saint George Street as its main thoroughfare, but will also include expansive pedestrian areas with barrier-free access. Along the city wall, a wide promenade will extend from the Tóth Árpád Walk, and a new reception area featuring the national flag will be created.

The program also plans to reinstall previous statues and artworks in suitable locations. The medieval relics of the Saint Sigismund Church will be removed, as archaeological findings revealed they are not on the original site. Instead, digital technologies will recreate the church’s image for visitors.

Photo: Facebook/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program

Street furniture, sunbathing lawn

Additional enhancements include new street furniture and a sunbathing lawn. The greenery will be strategically placed along the edges of the square, with over 160 new trees planted, significantly increasing the green space. A new park will be developed near the Archduke Joseph Palace, further enhancing the green ratio in the area.

Photo: Facebook/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program

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