The Liberty Statue is one of Budapest’s most recognizable monuments, rising above the city on the summit of Gellért Hill. The female figure standing on the pedestal lifts a palm leaf high into the air, symbolizing peace and freedom.

The statue unveiled in 1947 is the work of Zsigmond Kisfaludi Strobl, and originally commemorated the Soviet army celebrated as liberators after the Second World War. Its meaning changed after the political transition, and today it is more broadly connected to the idea of freedom. An interesting detail is that the sculptor’s wife, Éva Kisfaludi Strobl, served as the model for the female figure.

The monumental statue is visible from far away and remains one of Budapest’s defining cityscape landmarks. The surrounding area and the nearby Citadella form a popular hiking destination, from where an impressive panorama opens over the Danube, the bridges, and inner Pest.