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For the first time in over 120 years, the Archangel Gabriel statue atop the Millennium Monument in Heroes’ Square, Budapest, is being fully restored.
This nearly five-meter-tall bronze statue, mounted on a 36-meter Corinthian column, has deteriorated significantly over the decades, prompting a comprehensive restoration effort led by Városliget Plc. The restoration process will begin with constructing extensive scaffolding around the column, enabling the statue to be safely lowered and transported to a restoration workshop.
Depending on its internal condition, the restoration is expected to take 6-12 months.
The restoration, commissioned by the National Heritage Institute following a public tender and post-demolition survey, aims to return the statue to its original state. The restored Archangel Gabriel statue is anticipated to be reinstalled in Heroes’ Square by the first half of 2025. The project will also reinforce both the bronze statue and its supporting column.
Photo: Wikipedia
The Millennium Monument and the Archangel Gabriel statue, created by sculptor György Zala and unveiled on October 24, 1901, are iconic symbols of Hungary and a popular tourist attractions. Despite previous restorations, including those between 1995 and 1996 and superficial repairs in 2021, the statue’s deterioration necessitated a more extensive restoration plan formulated after a detailed assessment in December 2023.
Scheduled to start on 22 July 2024, the restoration work involves 3D scanning and meticulous documentation of the monument, allowing for the most detailed survey of its condition to date.
The sculpture will be dismantled into several pieces and removed by a heavy-duty crane truck. The figure of Archangel Gabriel will be taken down along with the upper half of the sphere, while the Holy Crown and double cross will be removed from the statue’s hands on-site. The Corinthian pedestal will also be removed. The statue elements will then be transported to the restoration site by a special tractor-trailer flatbed for a detailed survey and subsequent restoration.
Via Kultura.hu; Featured Image: Pixabay