High on Gellért Hill stands the Liberty Statue. It watches over Budapest. This statue commemorates those who gave their lives. They fought for Hungary’s independence freedom and prosperity.
Originally, the Liberty Statue honored the Soviet liberation. It marked the end of Nazi Germany’s occupation in World War II. The statue was erected in 1947. Its location makes it a prominent part of Budapest’s skyline.
The bronze statue is 14 meters tall. It stands on a 26-meter pedestal. The statue holds a palm leaf. Two smaller statues are also near the base. The monument was designed by Zsigmond Kisfaludi Strobl. He originally planned it as a memorial to István Horthy. Instead of the palm leaf it would have featured a human child. This change was a Soviet addition.
The original inscription thanked the liberating Soviet heroes. The grateful Hungarian people erected it in 1945. Over time feelings towards the Soviets changed. The 1956 revolution damaged parts of the monument. After the transition to democracy in 1989 the inscription was altered.
The new inscription honors those who sacrificed their lives. They fought for Hungary’s independence freedom and prosperity. The Russian version of the tribute was removed completely.
Erzsebet Gaal was the model for the statue. She was spotted by Zsigmond Kisfaludi Strobl. He sought a woman with a beautiful posture. He also wanted a proportionate figure and a clear eye. Gaal posed holding a palm frond. A fan billowed her dress during the sessions.
Initially Gaal received attention. She attended parades and met Yuri Gagarin. Later she was forgotten by the authorities. She became poor and embittered. In 1984 she said she wanted to tear down the statue. Gaal died in 1989. Her gravestone reads here lies the model for the statue of liberty.
The decision to keep or remove the statue was debated until 1989. It had become a symbol of Budapest. Its demolition was canceled due to public opposition. In 1992 Tamás Szentjóby covered the statue. He used white parachute silk as part of his project Statue of Liberty’s Soul. He remembered how the statue loomed over the city. It was a bad omen of communism. This was during the Soviet troops’ withdrawal.
The additional statues were relocated in 1993. The inscription was modified. The Liberty Statue remains a recognizable symbol of Budapest. It stands proudly above the city. Today it is known as the Védelmező Statue. It represents Hungary’s enduring spirit. The Védelmező Statue serves as a tribute. It is a reminder of Hungary’s struggles and triumphs.