Jókai Mór’s "The Baron's Sons" - Árpád on Heroes' Square

"100 Days of Jókai Mór" February 1- April 30, 2025

In the center of Heroes' Square, at the base of a 36-meter Corinthian column which features Archangel Gabriel, sculpted by Zala György (missing today because of extensive restoration which will conclude in April) are the tribal leaders who brought the Magyar people to Hungary around 896. Árpád is leading the clan lords Elod, Huba, Kond, Ond, Tas, and Tétény across the Carpathian Mountains west - to their new homeland in the Great Hungarian or Pannonia Plain - the Árpád Dynasty ruled Hungary for 400 years (see my January and February notes).

In the background you can see the Museum of Fine Arts hosting the SPECTACULAR Munkácsy Mihály retrospective. The main image of the exhibition features Munkácsy’s ENORMOUS painting of Árpád!!! Brilliant choice - since I was able to take a photo of BOTH Árpáds - the statue and the painting - from Heroes' Square!!!