Questions linger about the Pro Urbe Szolnokt\u00f3l 1873-1973 Stele its origins shrouded in the mists of time. This memorial stone resides in Budapest’s District XIV at \u00dajvid\u00e9k Square Playground in T\u00f6r\u00f6k\u0151r neighborhood. Let’s uncover the story behind this stone.
The Pro Urbe Szolnokt\u00f3l 1873-1973 Stele marks a significant centennial. It commemorates the 100th anniversary of the unification of Pest, Buda, and \u00d3buda in 1873. This unification created the city we now know as Budapest.
Szolnok city and Szolnok county played a vital role. As Zugl\u00f3’s sister settlement, they landscaped \u00dajvid\u00e9k Square to honor the anniversary. This act of generosity transformed the square into a park.
The Pro Urbe Szolnokt\u00f3l 1873-1973 Stele is a physical reminder of this bond. The stone stele itself measures 80×200 centimeters. It rests on a 50-centimeter-high rough stone rock foundation. You will find the stele near the Szugl\u00f3 street which intersects the park close to Varih\u00e1zy Oszk\u00e1r street.
This park was more than just greenery. The Szolnok region invested considerable resources. Twenty-seven Szolnok county companies and cooperatives dedicated over ten thousand work hours. They created two sports fields and a playground. They constructed roads and installed public lighting. Flowers and plants adorned the area. The entire project cost nearly one million forints. The park officially opened on April 29 1973.
In 1973 Sz\u00e1v\u00f3 B\u00e9la the district council president said that Zugl\u00f3 would take good care of it. He promised that it would always be an oasis for playing and refreshment.
The origins of the Pro Urbe Szolnokt\u00f3l 1873-1973 Stele and the once-vibrant relationship between the two settlements faded. Articles from the Szolnok Megyei N\u00e9p\u00fajs\u00e1g provide insights into their connection. The partnership began in the 1950s. Workers from Zugl\u00f3 regularly visited Szolnok county. They assisted in establishing agricultural cooperatives and strengthening collective farms. By 1961 Zugl\u00f3 supported 87 agricultural cooperatives in Szolnok county.
Zugl\u00f3 wanted sculptures by Szolnok artists for the new park. A competition was announced. The brief requested works symbolizing the worker-peasant alliance. They also wanted to represent Szolnok county’s selfless work in Zugl\u00f3.
Szab\u00f3 L\u00e1szl\u00f3 created the Rackajuh a sculpture of a Racka sheep. It stood near the Pro Urbe memorial stone close to the playground entrance. Made of copper sheet metal it was welded together. It was inaugurated in 1974.
Today the Pro Urbe Szolnokt\u00f3l 1873-1973 Stele stands. It silently witnesses the passage of time. It reminds us of a bond between communities and a shared history.