Kossuth Lajos Monument

Wonderful place

Lajos Kossuth - was a Hungarian nobleman, lawyer, journalist, politician, statesman and governor-president of the Kingdom of Hungary

Art on another level

The Kossuth Statue, located outside the Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest, is a stunning work of art that pays homage to Lajos Kossuth, one of Hungary's most celebrated political leaders. The statue, which was sculpted by Miklós Ligeti in 1927, depicts Kossuth standing on a pedestal, holding a sword in one hand and a laurel wreath in the other.

The statue is a striking example of neoclassical sculpture and is admired for its attention to detail and its grandeur. It has become an iconic symbol of Hungarian independence and democracy, and it is a popular destination for tourists visiting Budapest.

The Kossuth Statue is an important part of Hungary's history and culture, and it is a testament to the country's rich artistic heritage. It is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Budapest, and it is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who see it

Beautiful monument located next to parliament. There is construction next to the museum but you can get great shots in this area. Be careful of the TRAM for it runs between the statues and buildings in this area.

Beautiful monument at the corner of the parliament building. Good view over the park.

The Kossuth Memorial is dedicated to former Hungarian Regent-President Lajos Kossuth in front of the Hungarian Parliament Building.  The memorial is an important Hungarian national symbol and scene of official celebrations. After the death of Lajos Kossuth (1894) and his sumptuous funeral in Budapest a public subscription was almost immediately announced to build a memorial for the leader of the 1848 Revolution. In 1906 the competition was won by János Horvay after long debates about the style and message of the memorial. Although the public was dissatisfied with Horvay’s idea the sculptor began working. Until 1914 all the figures of the group were completed except Kossuth himself but then the work came to a halt because of World War I. In the years following the war Horvay completed the Kossuth statue. The Kossuth Memorial was officially inaugurated in 1927 before a crowd of 100,000 people. The sculpture group depicts the members of the first Hungarian parliamentary government: Lajos Kossuth (in the middle), Pál Esterházy, Gábor Klauzál, József Eötvös, István Széchenyi, Prime Minister Lajos Batthyány, Bertalan Szemere,  Ferenc Deák and Lázár Mészáros. The other side of the stone back wall are the representatives of the fighting Hungarian people.  Art critics condemned the melancholic atmosphere of the memorial and the sculpture remained somewhat unpopular. The after WW2 communist regime decided the Horvay made memorial wasn’t appropriate because Kossuth was portrayed as a lethargic, troubled figure instead of an enthusiastic, suggestive leader who mobilized the whole country. This is why the Monument was removed. Zsigmond Kisfaludy Strobl won the new competition with a Neo-Saxon, Socreal sculpture group instead of the original neo-baroque-Art Nouveau artwork. However, after the change of regime in 90s a new decision was made to restore everything in the original state on Kossuth Square. So the statue by Kisfaludy Strobl was removed, and a copy of Horvay sculpture made of a better material was reinstalled in 2015. That is currently visible on Kossuth Square. Regarding the future we all are uncertain...

Beautiful historical monument in the memory of the Kossuth event. One of the popular spots around the parliament for photographs and flocking with tourists throughout the day.