Why visit / Interesting facts:
- Grand and spacious square
- Remarkable buildings
Time required: 30 minutes
Public transport:
- Metro Line 2: Kossuth tér station
Address: Szabadság tér, Budapest
Photos: (see more photos)
Photo: dannyfowler
Things you need to know:
- Szabadság square is a grand and spacious square in central Budapest. It was laid out in 1886 at the site of the former Neugebäude (1789-1886), an evil repute fortress-like building
- Now grandious buildings surround the square such as the Hungarian National Bank and the former building of the Hungarian State Television
- The Art-Nouveau building of the National Bank was built in 1905 as the Budapest Headquarters of the Austro-Hungarian Bank
- The impressive building that dominates the west side of the square first housed the stock exchange. From 1955 till 2010 it gave home to the Hungarian Television
- Hungary's first prime minister, Lajos Batthyány, was executed in the Neugebäude on 6 Oct 1949. A memorial commemorates his death at the corner of Bathory utca and Hold utca
- The memorial in the middle of the square is the Memorial of the Russian Army paying thanks to the Soviet forces for liberating Hungary from the Nazis
- Another highlight is the interactive fountain. When the hidden vertical fountain nozzles are turned on they create an exciting water wall around the square shaped area
What to do there:
- Walk around the square and admire the remarkable buildings: the Us Embass, the Art-nouveau National Bank and the former building of the Hungarian Television
- Do not miss the Memorial of the Russian Army
Tips & Insights:
- Relax on a bench or have a coffee in the café in the center of the square
- On a hot summer day you should try the "Interactive Fountain"
