Liberty Statue, Bronze monument on Gellért Hill, Budapest, Hungary.
The Liberty Statue is a 40-meter-tall bronze monument on Gellért Hill featuring a female figure with an outstretched palm branch. The monument is clearly visible from the city below and dominates its hilltop location with an upright stance and monumental scale.
The monument was created in 1947 by sculptor Zsigmond Kisfaludi Strobl and held different meanings depending on the political situation. After 1989, its interpretation shifted from Soviet liberation to national independence, taking on new significance for Hungarian society.
The monument shows a woman holding a palm branch, and its meaning has been redefined through different periods of Hungarian history. Visitors can see how this figure watches over the city as a symbol of both freedom and national identity.
The site can be reached on foot via marked paths up Gellért Hill, though the walkways are quite steep in places. Wheelchair access is limited, and the best views occur in early morning or late afternoon light.
The female figure was modeled after Erzsébet Gaál, a woman who posed for the artist without payment. Her identity was kept secret for many years and remains a fascinating hidden detail of the monument's creation.
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