Iconic Heroes’ Square Statue Being Renewed: Here’s What Its Time Capsule Contained
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Loading... - Karp Ilyin
- 11 Feb 2025
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The Archangel Gabriel statue, a prominent feature of Budapest's Heroes’ Square, is undergoing a comprehensive restoration for the first time in 120 years. A replica of the statue has been displayed at the Városliget Visitor Center, allowing the public to learn about the restoration process and the statue's history.
Benedek Gyorgyevics, CEO of Városliget Plc, announced that the approximately five-meter-tall bronze statue has significantly deteriorated over the years, with previous renovations only addressing aesthetic issues. The current restoration aims to thoroughly renovate both the external and internal structures of the statue, which has suffered extensive damage. Gábor Móczár, Director General of the National Heritage Institute, emphasized that preserving the statue is not only a cultural obligation but also a safety necessity.
The restoration process involves modern technologies and meticulous attention to detail. A scaffolding system has been erected around the 36-meter-tall column to facilitate a detailed survey and prepare the statue for removal. Hungary’s largest mobile crane was utilized for this task, given the statue's considerable weight.
The exhibition features seven projection stations that showcase the monument's creation and its historical context through archival recordings and visual displays. An interactive selfie point allows visitors to take pictures with a replica of the Archangel Gabriel statue. Additionally, a wall-projected installation offers a virtual experience where visitors can see the view from the statue's height, providing a unique perspective of Budapest.
During the restoration, a time capsule was discovered within the column head of the Millennium Monument. This capsule contained a wine bottle, a rolled-up piece of paper, and eight contemporary coins, all hidden 120 years ago. Unfortunately, the paper has become unreadable due to moisture, but the coins have retained their historical value and are on display in the exhibition. The Millennium Monument was completed in 1896 to commemorate the thousandth anniversary of the Hungarian conquest.
The Archangel Gabriel statue, which holds the Hungarian apostolic double cross and the Holy Crown, was inaugurated on October 24, 1901, and won the grand prize at the 1900 Paris World Exhibition. The statue is a central element of the monument, symbolizing the peak of Hungarian statehood and the historical compromise with the Habsburg dynasty.
Previous restoration efforts, including those in 1995-1996 and 2021, focused primarily on aesthetic improvements, neglecting deeper structural issues caused by corrosion. The current restoration will address these concerns, with bronze elements being restored in a workshop and the original condition documented through 3D scanning. The restoration is expected to begin in the spring, with the statue anticipated to return to Heroes’ Square by spring 2026.
The restoration of the Archangel Gabriel statue is a significant cultural project for Budapest, ensuring the preservation of an iconic symbol of Hungarian heritage. The discovery of the time capsule adds an intriguing historical layer to the ongoing work, connecting the past with the present as the statue is prepared for its next chapter.
