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Hungary Budapest Budapest Memorial

Shoes on the Danube Bank

About

The Shoes on the Danube Bank is a profoundly moving memorial on the Pest side of Budapest, created in 2005 by film director Can Togay and sculptor Gyula Pauer to honor the memory of Hungarian Jews murdered by the fascist Arrow Cross Party during World War II. The memorial consists of sixty pairs of iron shoes—men’s boots, women’s heels, and children’s footwear—scattered along the riverbank, evoking the victims who were ordered to remove their shoes before being shot into the Danube so their bodies would be carried away by the current. The shoes, modeled after 1940s styles, personalize the tragedy and highlight the diversity of those lost, making the horror immediate and tangible. The site is marked by cast iron plaques in Hungarian, English, and Hebrew, dedicating the memorial to the victims of the 1944–45 Arrow Cross terror. Its location, just south of the Parliament, was chosen for its historical significance, as thousands of Jews were executed along this stretch of the river during the winter of 1944–45. Today, the Shoes on the Danube Bank stands as a place of reflection, remembrance, and a stark reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust in Hungary.

Budapest Hungary
Shoes on the Danube Bank
Location

The Shoes on the Danube Bank is a poignant memorial located in Budapest, Hungary, along the Danube Promenade (Duna-korzó) near the Hungarian Parliament Building. This powerful tribute commemorates the Jews who were killed by fascist Arrow Cross militiamen during World War II. Nearby attractions include the stunning Hungarian Parliament Building, St. Stephen's Basilica, and Szabadság Square. Visitors can also walk to the Danube River and take in the scenic views of the city. The memorial features 60 pairs of cast iron shoes, each representing a victim, and serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed during the war. It's a somber and thought-provoking spot that honors the memories of those who lost their lives.

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