Budapest like all the cities has its secrets only the locals know about. Have you heard about the mini statues of Budapest? This post will reveal the secrets of a few of the tiny bronze statues scattered across Budapest. Enjoy the little things and see Budapest like never before.
Once upon a time there was a Hungarian sculptor, Mihály Kolodko (Mihail Kolodko), who was born in Transcarpathia (Uzhgorod) but moved to Budapest a few years ago. He had many ideas, but preparing a huge bronze statue costs a lot so he decided to surprise his new hometown and the city dwellers with really creative mini bronze statues. Now he truly believes that “small things matter” and locals love to find his new statues, like a treasure hunt. Honestly I love his work and enthusiasm to create something different. The way he and his statues connect people are amazing. Nobody keeps an official count, but there are around 40-50 of them by now, and sadly some go missing from time to time. This is not a full list, only a few of my favourites. Let’s start the hunt!
Rubik's cube
Did you know that the worldfamous Rubik’s cube is a Hungarian invention? It was invented by Ernő Rubik in 1974. Rubik’s magic cube is well known everywhere around the world and you know: there is always a solution!
Location On Buda side in front of the Parliament building, near one of the stairs leading you to the lower embankment.
Tiny tank
Why do we have a tiny bronze tank on the river bank? Well it’s a symbol of the WWII when all of the Budapest bridges were bombed and we had permanent replacing bridges for a while like the Kossuth or Manci bridges.
Location On Buda side in front of the Parliament building next to the memorial monument of the Kossuth bridge.
The rabbit
The rabbit with the checkered ears “Kockásfülű nyúl” is a cute Hungarian cartoon from the 1970s. The main character, the rabbit observed the kids with it’s telescope, and if they were in trouble, the bunny flew there and solved the problem. One of my favourite tales too.
Location on Buda side up in the Castle District, near the Royal Palace and the Funicular’s entrance.
Mekk Elek
“Mekk Elek az ezermester” is a Hungarian tale about a goat handyman who was a bit silly but who could fix everything on a fun way. One of Kolodko’s favourite tales from the 1970s.
Location on Buda side at the Széll Kálmán square, near the tram stops, close to the biker’s lane.
Dead squirrel
Nobody knows the real story behind but you can find this tragic mini statue around the statue of Columbo (Peter Falk) and his dog. One thing you can be sure about, the famous detective has to find out one more mystery.
Location behind Columbo’s statue on the Falk Miksa street near the Jászai Mari square.
Kermit the frog
Kermit the frog one of the main characters of the Muppet Show is sitting in front of the former Headquarter of the Hungarian Television facing to the US Embassy, since the Muppet Show was an English-American series. What should an everyday frog do if the Muppet Show has ended? For sure it goes back to the nature to the park like a frog. What a deep idea behind! I like it, what about you?
Location on Pest side at the Liberty square next to the fence of the walking promenade in front of the entrance to the parking garage.
The mini moon buggy
Why does Budapest have a miniature Lunar Rover in Moon street (Hold utca)? Well, the first moon buggy was invented by an amazing and talented Hungarian born engineer, Ferenc Pavlics who escaped to the US after the 1956 Revolution and worked for NASA. He created the first time a special lightweight but whippy wheels of the moon buggy to function on the lunar surface. His invention was succesfully used in 1971 during the Apollo 15 mission of the US.
Location on Pest side, in Moon street (Hold utca), close the Market Hall’s entrance.
“Libidó” - The balloon dog
The tiny balloon dog statue of Budapest is a really interesting mini statue of Kolodko symbolises the art of Jeff Koons, who created huge balloon animals from stainless steel and became one of the most famous (and expensive) modern artists nowadays. His first wife was a Hungarian lady, have a look at the bones in front of the dog, you’ll see something surreal!
Location on the Danube Promenade on Pest side next to the tram line in front of Intercontinental Hotel.
The mini Tivadar Herzl / Theodor Herzl
Tivadar Herzl or Theodor Herzl was a Jewish Austro-Hungarian journalist, political activist and writer who is also called as the “spiritual father of the Jewish State”. Herzl was born in Budapest, but to find out where, you have to find his mini statue!
Location in front of the Great Synagogue, at Herzl Tivadar square on a lamp post.
The miniature statue of Rezső Seress
Once upon a time there was a pianist who was asked to write lyrics. I am sure he would never have guessed, but he created a song so sad that urban legends grew around it. Rezső Seress’ “Gloomy Sunday” travelled all around the world and was translated into more than 100 languages.
Location on the wall of the Small Pipe (Kispipa) Pub at Akácfa street 38, where Rezső Seress used to perform.
The diver & the key of the New York Café
This mini statue of Budapest has a really cute urban legend behind. When the New York Café opened in 1894 one of the famous Hungarian writers told: “Now I will throw the key of the café to the river Danube so the New York Café will be never closed”. That’s why we see the key in the diver’s hand. So funny 🙂
Location on Pest side, at the corner of Osvát and Dohány streets, next to the New York Café.
The fourteen-carat car
This not so small bronze car symbolise the work of the Hungarian novelists Jenő Rejtő (P. Howard). One of his books is called as “The fourteen-carat car” and the mini statue is located really close to his birthplace.
Location on Pest side, near the Hungarian Theatre, Rejtő Jenő street.
The mini Noah’s Ark
This bronze ministatue is what it seems, Noah’s Ark. Don’t miss to see the rainbow inside, which was a sign for the end of the flood. Really creative installation! If you see it after sunset, use the light of your phone to admire the rainbow inside.
Location on Pest side, near the University of Veterinary Medicine in Budapest, at Bethlen square
Found them all? Kolodko keeps surprising the city with new statues. If you would like to hunt for them with a local, join me on one of my tours.
Budapest’s stories are more fun together.
Come and walk with me, feel the heartbeat of Budapest and eat the city.
Book my tour
