Who knew that the Hungarian capital had its own such statue? It's no secret once you arrive in Budapest, since it can be seen in much of the city on its lofty perch on top of a hill.
This first went up in 1947, to honor the Soviet forces who liberated Hungary from Nazi Germany near the end of World War II. The statue's base contained these translated words: "To the memory of the liberating Soviet heroes [erected by] the grateful Hungarian people [in] 1945". It was printed in Hungarian and Russian.
Keep in mind that the Soviets were around when this was put in place. In 1956 when Hungary rebelled, the statue suffered some damage. And then in 1989 when the transition took place, the words on the statue were changed. It now reads, "To the memory of those all who sacrificed their lives for the independence, freedom, and prosperity of Hungary". Oh, and the Russian translation is now gone.
The Liberty Statue was more or less out of walking distance during our visit there. So this photo taken from the Danube River, looking down on the Chain Bridge, will give you an idea. A video does an even better job.
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