On the Pest bank of the Danube, a short walk from the Hungarian Parliament Building, this open-air memorial consists of 60 pairs of cast-iron shoes. Created in 2005 by film director Can Togay and sculptor Gyula Pauer, the shoes commemorate Jewish people murdered here by Arrow Cross militiamen during World War II. Victims were forced to remove their shoes before they were shot at the river’s edge. Pause to look at the different styles and sizes, then take a quiet moment to reflect beside the water.
The story behind the shoes
The memorial recalls Jewish people murdered on the riverbank by Arrow Cross militiamen during World War II. The victims were made to take off their shoes before being shot; their bodies fell into the Danube. The empty shoes mark the people who were killed and the violence that took place at this spot.
The site was created by film director Can Togay and sculptor Gyula Pauer and installed in 2005. Its 60 pairs of cast-iron shoes include different styles and sizes, among them children’s shoes. Set along the river’s edge, they make an individual absence visible without depicting the violence itself.
A stop beside Parliament
You’ll find the memorial on the Pest side of the Danube, near the Hungarian Parliament Building. It sits along the riverside promenade, so it can be visited on foot as part of a walk beside the water or after seeing Parliament. The location is outdoors, and the memorial is accessible around the clock.
Allow about 15 minutes to look at the rows of shoes and read about the history. If you want a more contemplative visit, early morning or late afternoon is suggested as a quieter time. The site is wheelchair accessible.
Visiting with care
This is a place of remembrance, not simply a sculpture stop. Take time to understand whom the memorial honors and why the shoes were left behind. The different forms, from children’s footwear to adult styles, give the installation a human scale.
Flowers or small tokens can be brought as a gesture of respect. If you are visiting with children, the memorial can also open a conversation about the Holocaust and the people targeted by the Arrow Cross. A guide or someone local may be able to add context, but the memorial itself is a quiet place to pause.
FAQ
Where is the Shoes on the Danube Bank?
It is on the Pest bank of the Danube, a short walk from the Hungarian Parliament Building.
How long should I plan for a visit?
About 15 minutes is enough for a brief visit and time to look at the memorial.
Is the memorial free to visit?
Yes. The outdoor memorial is free to visit.
When is a quieter time to go?
Early morning or late afternoon is suggested for a more contemplative visit.
