On the Pest side of the Danube, right near the Parliament, stands one of the most moving memorials in Budapest: the “Shoes on the Danube Bank.” This installation commemorates one of the darkest periods of World War II — the time after the Arrow Cross takeover in 1944–45, when thousands of Jewish civilians were shot into the icy Danube. Their shoes remained on the bank — and this is what the memorial, created by film director Can Togay and sculptor Gyula Pauer, unveiled in 2005, seeks to evoke. The row of 60 cast-iron shoes deeply affects even the most casual observer.
Looking onward, visitors are struck by the Hungarian Parliament Building, one of the most important symbols not only of Budapest but of all Hungary. The seat of the National Assembly was designed by Imre Steindl; construction began in 1885 and was completed by 1902. At the time, it was the largest parliament building in the world, and today it still remains one of the largest legislative buildings in Europe. It is 268 meters long, 123 meters wide, and boasts over 690 ornate rooms.
Special attention was given to using almost exclusively Hungarian building materials, with only a few imported marble columns. In addition to its neo-Gothic façade, the interior features intricately carved wood paneling, frescoes, and stained-glass windows. Its most striking feature is the 96-meter-high dome, which is not only an architectural highlight but also symbolic — referencing the year of the Hungarian conquest (896) and the millennial legacy of the Holy Crown.
Parts of the Parliament are open to visitors, offering a unique experience, especially the dome hall, where the Holy Crown of Hungary and the coronation regalia — the orb, scepter, and sword — are on display. These symbols were used in the coronation of King St. Stephen in the year 1000 AD, the founder of the Christian Hungarian state. According to legend, the Holy Crown was a gift to Stephen from Pope Sylvester II, prompted by divine inspiration.
After centuries of turmoil, the Holy Crown was returned to Hungary from the United States in 1978.
In memory of St. Stephen, Hungary holds a national celebration every August 20, highlighted by a spectacular fireworks show over the Danube — a one-of-a-kind event in Europe that attracts visitors from around the world. MAHART also offers a special dinner cruise during the festivities, giving guests the best seat in the city to enjoy the festive panorama.