The Liberty Statue (Szabadság-szobor), or Freedom Memorial, has a prominent position on Gellért Hill in central Budapest on the western side of the Danube River. View it when you visit the Citadella, the giant fortress occupied first by the Hapsburgs and later by the Soviets. After World War II, the people of Hungary were grateful for the support the Soviets had given them during the war, helping them to be liberated from their occupation by Nazi Germany. They erected this statue to honor their saviors. The 46-foot (14-meter) statue is made of bronze, and stands atop a pedestal nearly twice that height. The figure holds a very large palm leaf overhead. The original inscription was translated as: “To the memory of the liberating Soviet heroes [erected by] the grateful Hungarian people [in] 1945.”Within a few years, the Soviet liberation was being perceived as one more oppressive occupation. By October of 1956, student protest turned into active rebellion. Soviets even fired on Budapest citizens from the Citadella. Over 20,000 people died early on and thousands more over the next two decades as the Hungarians and Soviets maintained the conflict. Finally, by 1988, Soviet hold was loosened and Hungarian patriots recovered control of the city and country. They very quickly changed the statue inscription to reflect the more recent events. Note the difference in the current inscription, which can be translated as: “To the memory of all those who sacrificed their lives for the independence, freedom and prosperity of Hungary.” (1989)Along with the Liberty Statue, there are two other statues at the Freedom Memorial. Stand at the base of the three statues to imagine the feelings of Budapest’s citizens several generations ago. View the statue for free at any time of day or night. See it from above from atop the Citadella at the top of Gellért Hill or reach its base by foot, bus or car along the Citadella sétány.
Liberty Statue
![Liberty Statue featuring a statue or sculpture and a monument](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/162000/162025-Liberty-Statue-Szabadsg-Szobor.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)
Visit Liberty Statue
Plan a trip to see Liberty Statue
![Hotel Rum Budapest](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/15000000/14840000/14837800/14837753/3fd7d76d_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)
Hotel Rum Budapest
Reviewed on 12 Jun 2024
Tours & day trips
See all 547 activitiesOpens in new tab![Budapest Danube River Sightseeing Night Cruise](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/846150/423da1f3-4b67-4fc9-9754-866a9c5ba0ea.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=500&rh=280)
Budapest Danube River Sightseeing Night Cruise
Private & custom tours
See all 212 activitiesOpens in new tab![Zagreb - Budapest](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/1067381/ae38c15e-c22f-44dd-bba2-332b16e6e22d.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=500&rh=280)
Zagreb - Budapest
Attractions
See all 9 activitiesOpens in new tab![Entrance to Szechenyi Spa in Budapest](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/44825640/83d9457f-1b44-499f-b587-ba25578046d6.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=500&rh=280)
Entrance to Szechenyi Spa in Budapest
Cruises & boat tours
See all 45 activitiesOpens in new tab![Budapest: City Highlights Cruise with Welcome Drink](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/4568390/9e3b68c9-23ef-46b5-b66d-93f2474ddeea.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=500&rh=280)
Budapest: City Highlights Cruise with Welcome Drink
Wildlife & nature
See all 11 activitiesOpens in new tab![Budapest Segway Tour](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/844733/b9dc9c5e-7125-4de9-800f-1c9a16ec8d5f.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=500&rh=280)
Budapest Segway Tour
Reviews of Liberty Statue
5/5 - Excellent
Stunning view
Popular places to visit
Citadella
Enjoy some of the best views of Budapest from the hilltop surrounding the fortress that has towered over the city for more than 150 years.
Rudas Baths
Let off some steam in this spectacular 16th-century spa and stay late at night for a soothing take on Budapest nightlife.
Gellert Thermal Baths and Swimming Pool
Soothe your aching joints in Budapest’s famous mineral hot springs housed in an impressive building where you can also enjoy a range of spa treatments.
St Gellért Monument
Find out about the history of Budapest with a stop at St Gellért Monument. Discover the area's acclaimed art galleries and stunning cathedral.
Elisabeth Bridge
Explore medieval church ruins and a picturesque park adjacent to this innovative bridge with an intriguing history of war and assassination.
Liberty Bridge
Discover the tumultuous history of Budapest’s dramatic falcon-clad iron bridge at the point where Pest and Buda meet in the heart of the city.
Top Hotel Deals
Check availability on hotels close to Liberty Statue
![Park Plaza Budapest](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/700000/699800/699744/cc930fb5_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![Danubius Hotel Astoria City Center](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/10000/6200/6139/a5517319_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![H2 Hotel Budapest](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/60000000/59840000/59830600/59830599/1808b700_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![InterContinental Budapest, an IHG Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/30000/22400/22372/e8d12bfa_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![Continental Hotel Budapest](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/4000000/3060000/3052500/3052491/a84048d7_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/30000/21200/21146/w3839h2262x0y1-b0e9905d_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![Mercure Budapest City Center Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/880000/874200/874181/277462a1_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![Hotel Vision](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/46000000/45730000/45729800/45729769/94aa52af_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![D8 Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/24000000/23990000/23988700/23988647/cec14b56_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
- Holidays and getaways similar to Liberty Statue
- Hotels Near Liberty Statue, Budapest City Centre
- Hotels near popular Budapest Attractions
- Expedia's Latest Trends
- Gellert Thermal Baths and Swimming Pool
- Buda Castle
- Parliament Building
- Szechenyi Thermal Bath
- St. Stephen's Basilica
- Szechenyi Chain Bridge
- Hungarian State Opera House
- Heroe's Square
- Vaci Street
- Fisherman's Bastion
- Budapest Christmas Market
- Danube River
- Rudas Baths
- Great Market Hall
- Hungarian National Museum
- Budapest Marriott Hotel
- Emerald Hotel
- Bohem Art Hotel
- Danubius Hotel Erzsébet City Center
- Prestige Hotel Budapest
- Alta Moda Fashion Hotel
- Mercure Budapest Korona Hotel
- Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Budapest
- Estilo Fashion Hotel
- Hampton By Hilton Budapest City Centre
- Three Corners Hotel Art
- La Prima Fashion Hotel
- Hotels near Gellert Thermal Baths and Swimming Pool
- Hotels near Buda Castle
- Hotels near Parliament Building
- Hotels near Szechenyi Thermal Bath
- Hotels near St. Stephen's Basilica
- Hotels near Szechenyi Chain Bridge
- Hotels near Hungarian State Opera House
- Hotels near Heroe's Square
- Hotels near Vaci Street
- Hotels near Fisherman's Bastion
- Hotels near Budapest Christmas Market
- Hotels near Dohany Street Synagogue
- Hotels near House of Terror
- Hotels near Danube River
- Hotels near Rudas Baths
- Hotels near Great Market Hall
- Hotels near Hungaroring
- Hotels near Ferenc Puskas Stadium
- Hotels near Aquaworld Budapest
- Hotels near Vorosmarty Square