Kossuth Lajos Square is a pedestrian plaza on the Pest side of the Danube, directly in front of Budapest’s Parliament Building. The Parliament’s ornate facade fills the view, while statues and memorials around the square connect the setting to Hungary’s political history. Look across the river towards Buda, or walk to the nearby Shoes on the Danube memorial. The square is spacious, with places to sit; on warm days, jets release a cooling mist. Visit in daylight for the architecture and again after dark for a different view.
The square and Hungary’s political history
Kossuth Lajos Square takes its name from Lajos Kossuth, a leading figure in the 1848 Hungarian Revolution and a symbol of the country’s independence and democratic ideals. The square has been a setting for political demonstrations, national commemorations and public gatherings. Its role in Hungary’s legislative and revolutionary history gives the statues and memorials around the plaza added context.
Displays in the square provide information about Hungarian history. Take time to read them as you walk; they help explain the people and events represented by the monuments.
Buildings around the plaza
The Hungarian Parliament Building dominates the square. Its construction ran from 1885 to 1904, and its architecture combines Neo-Gothic and eclectic styles. The facade is decorated with 242 full-body sculptures. The square gives you a close view of the building, while the Danube and the Buda side of the city are visible nearby.
The Ministry of Agriculture and the Palace of Justice are among the other notable buildings around the square. The open space between them makes it easy to look at the different facades and monuments on a walk around the plaza.
Memorials and a walk by the river
The square is close to Shoes on the Danube, a memorial to people, mainly Hungarian Jews, who were shot into the river by fascists during World War II. The sculpture consists of 60 pairs of cast-iron shoes on the riverbank. Its location makes it possible to visit both sites on foot.
Allow time to pause at the memorial and approach it respectfully. Around the square, statues, resting places and the riverfront offer quieter stops between views of the Parliament and the surrounding buildings.
FAQ
Where is Kossuth Lajos Square?
It is on the Pest side of the Danube, directly in front of the Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest.
What can you see at Kossuth Lajos Square?
The square has close views of the Parliament Building, statues, memorials and surrounding historic buildings. You can also see across the Danube towards Buda.
Is the square open at night?
Yes. The square is open around the clock, and an evening visit gives you a different view of the buildings.
What is near Kossuth Lajos Square?
The Shoes on the Danube memorial is nearby. It commemorates people shot into the river during World War II.
