Prohászka László: Equestrian Statues - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1997)

Prince Árpád

was suspended during World War 1. Due to the country’s financial difficulties, it was only in the late nineteen-twenties that the completion of the Millenary Monument became feasible. It was then, between 1928 and 1929, that the missing six equestrian statues were also placed into the composition. Although the statues of all the seven chieftains were made by György Zala, it is worth observing that while the figure of Árpád, sculpted in 1912, is calm and dignity itself, the statues of the chieftains, slightly moved into the background on his sides, are far more dynamic. Horse and horseman are both full of motion here, which is why the statues of the six leaders are much more alive than the purposely rigid figure of Árpád.

As for the horses, Zala sculpted some really fine beasts. (Needless to say, the ancient Magyars first conquering today’s Hungary rode Asian horses of a much smaller stature

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