Gellert Hill Liberation Monument, Hungary - Monument

Mountaineering, Monuments

The Liberation Monument was built in 1947 in memory of the Soviet soldiers who died combating the Nazis in the Second World War; in spite of a distorted historical awareness it has become an icon of Budapest. On the sandstone podium stands a giant female figure of 46feet high, bearing a palm branch in her upraised arms. The two daring male figures at the feet of the victorious Goddess of Victory signify progress and destruction. Originally a Soviet warrior bearing a flag stood between them; this was taken away together with copious other pro-Russian memorials and can now be seen with other figurines in the Sculpture Park.