Take a selfie with Archangel Gabriel!

2025/02/05 Actualities

Although the central figure of the Millennium Monument has recently been removed from Heroes’ Square, visitors need not do without it, as a spectacular immersive space has opened in the City Park Visitor Centre, where its life-size replica has been installed. The experience is enhanced by special projections, taking visitors on a unique time travel through a particularly exciting period in the history of Budapest. The exhibition, free to visit from 5 February, was organised to mark the comprehensive restoration of the statue of the Archangel Gabriel, as part of which the artwork was removed from its pedestal for the first time in 120 years in order to undergo complete renovation.

The interactive exhibition presenting the history of Archangel Gabriel and his statue is arranged around seven projection stations. These evoke the creation of the monument, as well as the decades before and after it, through archival footage, prints and other visual works, offering a distinctive snapshot of Hungarian history up to the present day. One of the exhibition’s most popular features will probably be the interactive selfie point, where, thanks to a gesture-controlled system, visitors can take photos of themselves in front of the monumental replica of the Archangel Gabriel. Another spectacular feature of the experience space is the curved wall projection, where visitors can virtually join Gabriel and admire Budapest’s breathtaking panorama through his eyes, following a day in the life of the archangel at a height of 36 metres.

Visitors can also see a sensational discovery at the exhibition, one made during the restoration of the Corinthian capital of the Millennium Monument: a time capsule concealed in the statue’s pedestal. A wine bottle had been placed beneath the uppermost stone element of the column’s capital 120 years ago, containing a rolled-up piece of paper and eight coins from the period. The glass must have broken during the original installation – so unfortunately the text on the paper has become completely illegible due to the absorbed moisture – but the carefully placed coins are displayed at the exhibition.

After more than 120 years, it became necessary to remove the statue of the Archangel Gabriel from the Corinthian column of the monumental Millennium Monument on Heroes’ Square, as the condition of the bronze statue had significantly deteriorated. In the first and most spectacular phase of the renovation project, a huge scaffolding system was built around the 36-metre-high column by Városliget Zrt., the asset manager, making possible a detailed on-site survey and the preparation of the statue for removal. Hungary’s largest mobile crane was used for this purpose, as the bronze statue is nearly five metres tall and of considerable weight. The statue’s ‘descent’ and transportation to the restoration workshop required tightly coordinated efforts and engineering precision

- said Benedek Gyorgyevics, CEO of Városliget Zrt.

The statue of the Archangel Gabriel is not merely a work of art but one of the emblematic symbols of Hungarian national identity, which has watched over our history for more than 120 years. With a heavy heart but a firm sense of responsibility, we had to face the fact that the relentless ravages of time and the elements had so severely affected not only the exterior but also the structure of the statue that its preservation became not only a cultural duty but a safety imperative, making its removal unavoidable. It is reassuring to know, however, that we are examining and restoring the statue using the most modern technologies available and with meticulous attention to every detail. Following the currently ongoing exploratory phase, the restoration team will work with full dedication to ensure that this iconic artwork not only returns to its rightful place next spring, but is reborn in a more enduring form, ready to shine once again in the eyes of Hungarians and the wider world

- said Gábor Móczár, Director General of the National Heritage Institute.

The restoration is implemented through the cooperation of Városliget Zrt. and the National Heritage Institute. During the project, the bronze elements will be restored in a workshop, along with the decorative features of the Corinthian capital supporting the statue. As part of the preparatory work, the original state of the statue was documented through 3D scanning, and it is currently undergoing a thorough examination in the workshop, which will allow specialists to determine which tools and techniques should be used to restore this unique artwork as efficiently as possible. Depending on the results of the examination, the restoration of the statue is expected to begin in the spring.

The Guardian Angel of Hungary – Gabriel’s Statue at Heroes’ Square

Periodic exhibition

City Park Visitor Center

The Guardian Angel of Hungary – Gabriel’s Statue at Heroes’ Square

An impressive exhibition space has opened in the City Park Visitor Center, located in the building of the Museum of Ethnography. Here, a life-size replica of the statue of Archangel Gabriel has been installed. This allows visitors to get up close and personal with the artwork - which is otherwise only visible from a height of 36 meters -, and even take photos with it. The free exhibition is further enhanced by spectacular projections.

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