Faces Behind the Places in Budapest: Ferenc II Rákóczi

An equestrian statue emerges from the orderly lawn of Kossuth Square, depicting a military-garbed Magyar man gracefully sitting on horseback atop a red granite pedestal, bearing a sword by his side; this burly bronze statue before the imposing backdrop of the Parliament resembles a historic moment captured in the early 18th century, portraying Francis II Rákóczi as he rises to liberate the Magyar nation from the oppressive Habsburg regime. Even though the uprising was trounced after several deadly battles, today numerous Budapest sites stand in remembrance of this bold statesman.