Hajós György: Heroes' Square - Our Budapest (Budapest, 2001)

The allegories of War

On the outer ridge of the colonnades’ cornices are Labour and Wealth on the north, while on the south end are the compositions Knowledge and Glory. The sculptures feature dual figures. Labour is allegorically expressed by a male figure carrying a scythe on his shoulder with the female counterpart symbolising Wealth as she casts seeds before her. The male figure personifying Knowledge has a small statue in his hands, whereas the female allegory of Glory holds a palm leaf as she draws close to her counterpart. The 2.80-metre tall sculptural groups were put in place in 1907; both compositions were awarded the Ráth Prize.

Below the kings’ statues we can see reliefs representing memorable events which occurred under the reign of each. On the north wing of the colonnade,

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