Turul Statue
The Turul statue is located in the Buda Castle District, on the corner of Szent György Square. The statue of the Turul hovers menacingly near the top of the funicular leading up to Castle Hill. In ravaging the grandmother of Arpad, so the legend goes, the Turul was established as the progenitor of Hungary’s first reigning dynasty. His symbol was a nationalist representation of a distinct Magyar identity. This particular Turul was cast by Gyula Donath in 1905. Other manifestations of the bird may be found atop the Szabadsag bridge and on the gates of Parliament.The Palace of Buda Castle was extended at the beginning of the 20th century. The beautiful Habsburg Gate and its staircase were also built at this time, designed by Alajos Hauszmann. Towards the end of the construction, in 1905, the statue of Turul was erected on the corner of the fence. The statue, depicting an ancient Hungarian symbol, is the work of Gyula Donáth, towering over the capital, its wings ready to fly, looking down on the Danube. The statue and the gate were hit several times during the World War. The damage was repaired in the 1970s and 1980s, but over the years their condition deteriorated.