Amidst the grandeur of Budapest, a poignant narrative unfolds at the Pro Patria 1914-1918 Stone. This memorial, nestled against the University Church, whispers tales of sacrifice and remembrance. The Pro Patria 1914-1918 Stone is a tribute to the university students who perished in World War I. Its history began in 1919 when surviving students initiated a fundraising campaign. However, hyperinflation stalled the project. The dream was revived in 1928. The university, under Rector Alajos Wolkenberg, chose the unique location.
The Pro Patria 1914-1918 Stone is a collaborative masterpiece. György Zala, renowned sculptor of the Millennium Monument’s figures, brought his expertise. Jenő Lechner, known for his restoration work on the Old Buda Parliament House, designed the architectural frame. Lechner’s design skillfully integrates the Copf style with the Baroque lines of the church and the Neo-Baroque façade of the university. The monument stands eight meters tall. It features a two-layered structure with undulating surfaces and ornate cornices. Stone vases decorated with spiraling leaves adorn the corners.
The Pro Patria 1914-1918 Stone bears powerful inscriptions. Above the gate, the Latin phrase “Pro Patria Mortuis 1914-1918” honors those who died for their country. A longer inscription acknowledges the living students who commissioned the monument. It marks the period from the fundraising’s start in 1919 to the monument’s completion in 1930. On the soldier’s pedestal, a verse from Mihály Vörösmarty’s poem “Patriotism” exhorts endurance against suffering and death, but never dishonor.
Zala’s sculpture captures a dramatic scene. University students rush to aid a wounded soldier. Above them, a female Genius holds a wreath. The figures, three and a half meters tall, exude baroque dynamism. The students are in relief, their arms reaching out three-dimensionally. The wounded soldier stands as a separate statue on the monument’s right plinth.
The Pro Patria 1914-1918 Stone was unveiled on November 1, 1930. The inauguration ceremony, held in the University Church, featured a mass, a performance of Liszt’s “Before the Battle,” and speeches. The rector’s words resonated deeply. He spoke of the students who entered the university with a thirst for knowledge. They left with self-sacrificing dedication to their country, ready to face death. The Pro Patria 1914-1918 Stone serves as a poignant reminder of their courage and sacrifice.