Bélai Iván [et al.]: Köztéri alkotások

VI. Utószó

um, the Palace Museum, the Balassa Museum (Bálint Balassa was a famous Hungarian poet and landlord in the 16th century. He fought and died in a battle against the Turks to recapture the city in 1594.) and the Danube Museum. The unique natural characteristics, such as the Danube and the socalled »Isle« provide citizens and tourists alike with good possibilities to spend their spare-time outdoors. Christianity and Hungarian nationality come close to us through all the records to be found in the city and in the near by. Our desire is that through considering the present values, the citizens and the leaders of the city, together with the students, find their common interese in developing and improving Esztergom, the city of the first Hungarian king. Saint Stephen. You will find public place- statues, relieves, historical and religious memorials and relics, roadside- and cemetery crosses from the 18th century to the present. Though Esztergom is not a big city, it can pride itself on a number of interesting and significant works of art. During the Baroque, serious epidemics and jeopardies made believers to produce such works which they intended to be remembrances or votive gifts. The 19th century was marked by the building of the Basilica and the 1848-1849 Hungarian war of independence. Finally, in the 20th century, after che rwo world wars some local artistic initiations set out. When publishing them, we did not aim on emphasising merely their artistic values but the evidence of the fact that it has ever been possible to live a harmonic life in Esztergom. Our task is to cherish and consider our heritage from the past. Pál Cséfalvay Esztergom, December, 2000.