Statue of Prince Eugene of Savoy

"Eugene of Savoy (1663–1736) was one of modern Europe’s most celebrated military leaders and a prominent statesman in the Habsburg court in Vienna. Born in Paris to an aristocratic Italian family, Eugene’s early ambitions to serve in King Louis XIV's French army were thwarted, prompting him to seek a career in Austria. Aligning himself with the Habsburg Monarchy, he became a crucial figure in their military and political strategies. His legendary victory at the Battle of Zenta in 1697 decisively defeated the Ottomans, curbing their westward expansion and liberating Central Europe from over 150 years of Turkish rule. Eugene’s triumphs also played a pivotal role in safeguarding the Habsburg Empire from French incursions. In Buda Castle, an equestrian statue of Prince Eugene of Savoy stands prominently on the Danube terrace, commanding a view over Budapest. This Neo-Baroque masterpiece, crafted by József Róna, was initially commissioned for the town of Zenta. However, financial constraints prevented its installation there. Alajos Hauszmann, the chief architect of the Royal Castle’s reconstruction, acquired the statue in 1900 as a temporary fixture, intending to replace it with a monument to King Franz Joseph. The latter project never materialized, leaving Prince Eugene’s imposing figure as a permanent symbol of his legacy and historical importance."