Elizabeth Square

"Erzsébet Square, named in honor of Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria (Sisi), the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary, has evolved significantly over the centuries. The area surrounding the square began to be developed in the 18th century, and by the late 19th century, it became home to many striking buildings, especially financial institutions and ministries. These buildings were designed to rival palaces in terms of grandeur. Before its urbanization, the site was used as a cemetery, which was eventually abolished as the city expanded. A park was created in its place, often hosting fairs. In 1858, the square was officially renamed Erzsébet tér in honor of Empress Sisi. During the socialist era, it was temporarily renamed Stalin Square (1946-1953) and later Engels Square (1953-1990), before returning to its original name after the fall of socialism in 1990. Today, Erzsébet Square is a vibrant, multi-purpose space. It features a small playground, a skate park, and the "Budapest Eye" Ferris wheel, a modern landmark of the square. Near the Ferris wheel is a souvenir shop, and on the southwestern edge, there’s a memorial dedicated to Michael Jackson. In the eastern part of the square is the Akvárium nightclub, which has an innovative roof design featuring modern fountains with transparent bottoms. At the heart of the park is the Danubius Fountain, designed by architect Miklós Ybl in 1883. The fountain was relocated here in 1959 and is topped with a statue of Neptune, symbolizing the Danube River. Beneath it are three female figures representing the major tributaries of the Danube: the Tisza, Drava, and Sava rivers. This historic fountain, along with the surrounding attractions "