Budapest Shoes on the Danube Bank

On the banks of the Danube, just in front of the Hungarian Parliament Building, stand 60 pairs of iron shoes, pointed towards the river. Poignant in their simplicity, a tragic story lies behind this memorial to the hundreds who lost their lives as a result of the atrocities committed by Budapest’s Arrow Cross militiamen during the Second World War.

As World War II entered its final years, the national socialist Arrow Cross Party took control in Hungary. Led by Ferenc Szálasi, the party shared a number of beliefs with Germany’s Nazi Party – including Antisemitism. From October 15, 1944 to March 28, 1945 the Arrow Cross Party ruled the country as, in cooperation with the Nazis, thousands of civilians (mostly Jewish) were deported, sent to slave labour camps or murdered. At the same time, Arrow Cross militiamen ran loose in Budapest wreaking havoc and destruction. During the party’s five-month rule, estimates suggest that 10,000 people were killed in the streets with a further 80,000 sent to concentration camps.

During this time, Jews in Budapest were often rounded up on the banks of the Danube before being shot into the water which would then carry them away. Even more harrowingly, they were regularly forced to remove their shoes as these were a valuable commodity during the war; their murderers would then sell them or use them themselves.

In memory of those who lost their lives during the Arrow Cross rule, the “Shoes on the Danube” memorial was erected on April 16, 2005. Created by film director Can Togay and sculptor Gyula Pauer, it takes the form of 60 pairs of shoes cast in iron and anchored to the ground. Different styles and sizes can be seen, showing that nobody was safe – not men, women or children. Today, candles are placed in the shoes, flowers are laid alongside them and a plaque reads “To the memory of the victims shot into the Danube by Arrow Cross militiamen in 1944–45. Erected 16 April 2005.”

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This important historical site can be visited quickly, comfortably, and respectfully on a Segway tour. It allows visitors to reach the memorial easily, learn its story, and continue exploring Budapest’s riverside attractions without long walks.

This stop is often included in Budapest sightseeing tours, Danube river tours, and Segway tours, making it an essential place to understand the city’s history.

What You Can See

— Shoes memorial along the Danube Bank.

— Views of the Danube River.

— Hungarian Parliament nearby.

— Peaceful riverside walking area.

— One of Budapest’s most important historical memorials.

אנדרטת הנעליים על גדת הדנובה היא אחד מאתרי הזיכרון המרגשים והחשובים ביותר בבודפשט. האנדרטה ממוקמת לאורך נהר הדנובה, סמוך לפרלמנט, ומנציחה את קורבנות מלחמת העולם השנייה והשואה.

ניתן לבקר באתר זה במהירות, בנוחות ובצורה מכבדת באמצעות סיור סגוויי. כך אפשר להגיע בקלות, לשמוע את הסיפור ההיסטורי ולהמשיך לגלות את אזור הנהר ללא הליכות ארוכות.

המקום נכלל לעיתים קרובות ב־סיורי תיירות בבודפשט, סיורי נהר הדנובה ו־סיורי סגוויי.

מה רואים במקום

— אנדרטת הנעליים על גדת הדנובה.

— נוף לנהר הדנובה.

— קרבה לבניין הפרלמנט.

— אזור שקט לאורך הנהר.

— אחד מאתרי הזיכרון החשובים בעיר.

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Los Zapatos a la orilla del Danubio son uno de los monumentos conmemorativos más emotivos de Budapest. Situado junto al río Danubio, cerca del Parlamento, recuerda a las víctimas del Holocausto y de la Segunda Guerra Mundial.

Este importante lugar histórico se puede visitar de forma rápida, cómoda y respetuosa en un tour en Segway. Permite llegar fácilmente, conocer su historia y continuar explorando las atracciones del Danubio sin largas caminatas.

Qué puedes ver

— Memorial de los Zapatos a la orilla del Danubio.

— Vistas del río Danubio.

— Parlamento húngaro cercano.

— Zona tranquila junto al río.

— Uno de los memoriales históricos más importantes de Budapest.

Le Scarpe sulla riva del Danubio sono uno dei memoriali più toccanti e significativi di Budapest. Situato lungo il Danubio, vicino al Parlamento, ricorda le vittime dell’Olocausto e della Seconda Guerra Mondiale.

Questo importante sito storico può essere visitato in modo rapido, comodo e rispettoso con un tour in Segway. Consente di raggiungere facilmente il memoriale, conoscerne la storia e proseguire lungo le attrazioni del fiume senza fatica.

Cosa puoi vedere

— Memoriale delle Scarpe sulla riva del Danubio.

— Vista sul fiume Danubio.

— Parlamento ungherese nelle vicinanze.

— Area tranquilla lungo il fiume.

— Uno dei memoriali storici più importanti della città.

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