Shoes on the Danube Bank

“For the dead and the living, we must bear witness.” – Elie Wiesel

On the banks of the river Danube, just in front of the Hungarian Parliament Building are 60 pairs of iron shoes. The “Shoes on the Danube” is a moving holocaust memorial, which honors Hungarian Jews who were murdered in 1944-1945. It is conceptualised by film director Can Togay and sculpted by Gyula Pauer. This memorial is haunting as it depicting the shoes left behind by the thousands of Jews who were murdered by the Arrow Cross.

The different styles of footwear moved me so much as I was reminded of the people who stepped out of these shoes. There were women’s heels, men’s shoes and even children’s boots. Seeing these children’s shoes really brought a tear to my eyes … thinking of how these kids might have actually felt.

Ann-Christine’s Lens Artist Photo Challenge- Shoes on the Danube Bank

28 Comments

  1. chava61 says:

    Thanks for sharing this important Holocaust memorial!

    1. Teresa says:

      My pleasure ❤️ This memorial is so moving.

  2. Tina Schell says:

    I see we both featured the memorial this week Teresa. I too found it very moving. Having seen many holocaust memorials I think this one touched me the most. I must say though, I don’t like the idea that people are leaving colorful touches on the shoes. For me it rather degrades the seriousness of the reflective moment. Excellent choice well-captured.

    1. Teresa says:

      Oh we surely did. When I saw the challenge this went to my mind straight away and I couldn’t get it off though I had lots of other fun shoes….I decided to stick to this one as my sole topic.
      Don’t you think that although there were lots of tourists, the place felt so serene? Thanks for the comment, Tina.

      1. Tina Schell says:

        Interestingly we were the only ones there the day we visited. I can remember it so clearly, it really stuck with my as it did for you obviously.

        1. Teresa says:

          That would have been nice being on your own.

  3. Toonsarah says:

    This looks like such a moving monument, I can see why you wanted to share it

    1. Teresa says:

      Definitely a great memorial. Thanks.

  4. Anonymous says:

    A memorial well worth sharing, thank you for postinf this. I didn’t know about it.

  5. maristravels says:

    Thanks for posting this very moving memorial. I wonder how I missed this when I was there.

    1. Teresa says:

      Oh nooo… don’t you hate that. Nevermind, here are two photos of it and Tina showed you as well. Have a great week Maris.

  6. Leya says:

    Teresa, this is a very serene and sad memorial. Thank you for posting.

    1. Teresa says:

      My pleasure to join in!

      1. Leya says:

  7. lolaWi says:

    thanks for sharing Techie. i never get to see this when i visited Budapest.

    1. Teresa says:

      It’s too bad you didn’t see it. Never mind, I am sharing it with you now!

  8. Very moving. Thanks for sharing

    1. Teresa says:

      My pleasure to share it with all of you.

  9. JohnRH says:

    Good photos, touching memorial, lest we forget!

    1. Teresa says:

      Thanks so much John. Very touching indeed!

    1. Teresa says:

      Thanks 🙏🏻

  10. Beautiful pictures and tribute.

    1. Teresa says:

      Thanks Danielle! 🙏🏻

  11. Amy says:

    Very moving… Teresa! Thanks for the post.

    1. Teresa says:

      Thanks Amy. I was so emotional when I saw it!

  12. Maria says:

    Awesome well done

    1. Teresa says:

      Thanks Maria 🙏🏻

Comments are closed.