Széchenyi István tér
Budapest
Széchenyi István tér is the Pest square in front of the oldest bridge in the city. It bears the name of Count István Széchenyi, who had the Academy of Sciences founded and wanted the bridge built.
From goods wharf to elegant square
It was once called Unloading Square (Kirakodó tér), because boats left their goods here. All around stood classical buildings, nearly all by József Hild.
The palace of the Academy changed the face of the square. From a place of trade, it became one of the most elegant squares in the city. The current name dates from 2011.
What to look at from outside
The palace of the Academy was built between 1862 and 1865, in the style of the Italian Renaissance.
Between the windows there are statues of women: they stand for the sciences, such as mathematics and history. On the corners are statues of great scholars, such as Descartes and Newton.
Above the central window is the coat of arms of Hungary, held by winged angels. In the garden stands the statue of Széchenyi, the work of József Engel.
An academy born from a gift
In 1825 the count offered a huge sum for the new society of scholars: 60,000 florins. Three other nobles quickly followed his example.
This was rare in Europe: the Academy was born from the gifts of private people.
