Shoes on the Danube Bank, Budapest (must see)
The Shoes on the Danube Bank (Cipők a Duna-Parton) is a memorial that was established on April 16, 2005, in Budapest. It was created by film director Can Togay and sculptor Gyula Pauer to honor the Jewish victims who were tragically massacred by the fascist Hungarian militia associated with the Arrow Cross Party during the Second World War in Budapest.
During this dark period, the victims were forced to remove their shoes, which held value and could be stolen and sold by the militia after the massacre. They were then shot at the water's edge, causing their bodies to fall into the Danube River and be carried away. The memorial symbolizes the shoes left behind by these victims and serves as a poignant reminder of the tragedy they endured.
The memorial is situated on the Pest side of the Danube Promenade, aligning with the hypothetical intersection of Zoltan Street and the Danube if the street extended that far. It is approximately 300 meters (980 feet) south of the Hungarian Parliament, close to the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and positioned between Roosevelt Square and Kossuth Square.
The composition of the memorial consists of sixty pairs of iron shoes that reflect the period in which the tragedy occurred. These shoes are affixed to the stone embankment, and behind them lies a 40-meter-long stone bench, 70 cm high. Three cast iron signs are placed at different points, displaying the text in Hungarian, English, and Hebrew. The inscription reads, "To the memory of the victims shot into the Danube by Arrow Cross militiamen in 1944–45. Erected 16 April 2005."
During this dark period, the victims were forced to remove their shoes, which held value and could be stolen and sold by the militia after the massacre. They were then shot at the water's edge, causing their bodies to fall into the Danube River and be carried away. The memorial symbolizes the shoes left behind by these victims and serves as a poignant reminder of the tragedy they endured.
The memorial is situated on the Pest side of the Danube Promenade, aligning with the hypothetical intersection of Zoltan Street and the Danube if the street extended that far. It is approximately 300 meters (980 feet) south of the Hungarian Parliament, close to the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and positioned between Roosevelt Square and Kossuth Square.
The composition of the memorial consists of sixty pairs of iron shoes that reflect the period in which the tragedy occurred. These shoes are affixed to the stone embankment, and behind them lies a 40-meter-long stone bench, 70 cm high. Three cast iron signs are placed at different points, displaying the text in Hungarian, English, and Hebrew. The inscription reads, "To the memory of the victims shot into the Danube by Arrow Cross militiamen in 1944–45. Erected 16 April 2005."
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Budapest. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Shoes on the Danube Bank on Map
Sight Name: Shoes on the Danube Bank
Sight Location: Budapest, Hungary (See walking tours in Budapest)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Budapest, Hungary (See walking tours in Budapest)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Budapest, Hungary
Create Your Own Walk in Budapest
Creating your own self-guided walk in Budapest is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Margaret Island Walking Tour
Stretching for around 2.5 km, Margaret Island (“Margit-sziget”) on the river Danube is a popular green oasis / recreational area that serves as Budapest's playground since the 1870s. Flush with beautiful landscaped parks, ancient ruins and various sports facilities, the island can be accessed either by the historical Margaret Bridge on the south or the Arpad Bridge in the north, from... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Andrassy Avenue Walking Tour
Dating back to 1870 and recognized as a World Heritage site, Andrássy Avenue is a long, wide boulevard named after Prime Minister Gyula Andrássy (served 1867–71) that connects Budapest's downtown with the City Park. The entire stretch is lined with cafés, restaurants, luxury shops, as well as cultural institutions, elegant neo-Renaissance apartment blocks, mansions, and embassies with... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Pest Introduction Walking Tour
Separated from its western neighbor Buda by the magnificent river Danube, the eastern part of Budapest, formally known as Pest, takes up almost two thirds of the Hungarian capital. Unlike hilly Buda, Pest is predominantly a flat plain with a pretty buzzing and bourgeois setting. It houses some truly magnificent architectural sights, including the Hungarian Parliament itself. In part, this is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
Budapest's Jewish Quarter is a neighborhood filled with contradictions. Despite being the smallest, this district has the highest population density. As well as being home to a conservative Orthodox Jewish community, it's an eclectic mix of hedonistic nightlife. Of all of the city's neighborhoods, it is the Jewish Quarter that tends to leave the biggest impression on visitors, so... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Souvenir Shopping
It will definitely be a pity to leave Budapest without exploring local specialty shops and bringing home something authentically Hungarian. A large number of the city’s specialty shops are found on Váci Street, a pedestrian thoroughfare that parallels the Danube, extending for more than 15 blocks, with something for every taste and wallet. At its most southerly end, you will find Central Market... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Buda Introduction Walking Tour
The Hungarian capital Budapest is a relatively young city, emerged only in the late 19th century as a result of the merger of two neighboring towns - Buda on the western bank of the Danube and Pest on the eastern bank. Set on the hills, Buda represents a historic part of the city and is a home to the grand Hapsburg palace which still breathes the imperial air of old-time wealth.
While in Buda... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
While in Buda... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
15 Must Buy Hungarian Things in Budapest
Other than the standalone language and catchy Czardas tune, there's a lot more to memorize Hungary by. Here are some of the things you might want to carry from Budapest to your family and friends back...