This is how the iconic angel on Heroes’ Square is being restored – the restoration has reached a milestone

The restoration of the statue of the Archangel Gabriel, the central feature of the Millennium Monument, has reached its final stage. Work is set to begin on restoring the bronze sculpture that stands guard over Heroes’ Square.

Városliget Zrt., the organisation coordinating the project, unveiled the statue and presented the results of the tests carried out on it, as well as the planned restoration process, at a press event on 12 March at the restoration workshop of Museum Complex Kft.

We last reported on this historic restoration project in October 2024, when the statue of Archangel Gabriel was removed from its site after 124 years: scaffolding from the Layher Kft. fleet was used for the operation around the 36-metre-high Corinthian decorative column. The operation was carried out by Belvárosi Építő Kft. on behalf of Museum Complex Kft.. The statue is currently still in the cradle in which it was removed from its location.

We last reported on this historic restoration in October 2024, when, after 124 years, the statue of the Archangel Gabriel was removed from its position: scaffolding from the Layher Kft. was used around the 36-metre-high ornamental column during the operation. The operation was carried out by the Belvárosi Építő Kft. on behalf of the Museum Complex Kft..

The condition survey revealed that, although the statue had survived several historical upheavals unscathed, the weather had caused serious damage to it – its condition is worse than initially thought.

They are preserving a symbolic legacy

„Thanks to the careful work of experts, the statue of Hungary’s guardian angel is being restored to its former glory and, following a complete refurbishment, will be returned to Heroes” Square later this year„ – said B Benedek Gyorgyevics, CEO of Városliget Zrt.. ”A prerequisite for this is that the 36-metre-high stone column supporting the angel statue, which is also in poor condition, is restored to good condition,” he added.

Gábor Móczár, Director-General of the National Heritage Institute, said: „Heroes’ Square, as a national memorial site, is one of the most important symbolic spaces in Hungarian history, at the centre of which the figure of the Archangel Gabriel has stood for over a century.”

The statue is not only an iconic feature of the Millennium Monument, but also a prominent symbol of Hungarian statehood and Christian tradition. Its restoration therefore represents not merely the preservation of a work of art, but also the safeguarding of the symbolic heritage that Heroes” Square and the Millennium Monument represent for the Hungarian nation.”

The condition of the statue is more worrying than expected

The results of the detailed investigations painted an alarming picture. Over the decades, the internal iron framework and the period-appropriate bolted joints had weakened to a critical extent due to the combined effects of thermal expansion, corrosion and repeated water ingress: several fasteners had snapped, the bronze cladding had become deformed, and the decorative elements of the column capital had become loose from their original fixings.

 „During the excavation, it became clear that the condition of the statue had been most severely damaged by rainwater seeping into its interior. During on-site investigations, two bronze leaf ornaments, each weighing around 20–25 kilograms, were found, which had already shifted from their original positions,” said Csaba Laczik, the sculptor-restorer at Musum Complex Kft., detailing the investigations carried out so far.

Plans for the restoration have been drawn up

Immediately after the statue was removed, the scientific preparatory work for its restoration began. The experts carried out state-of-the-art instrumental material analyses at a total of 32 measurement points. The gravity of the situation was highlighted by a serious concern that arose at one of the testing points: the bronze body of the statue was so badly damaged that a significant portion of it would need to be recast; however, in-depth material analyses ultimately confirmed that the original statue could be saved and restored.

During the documentation phase prior to the restoration process, both traditional and modern examination methods were employed: high-resolution photographic documentation, microscopic examinations and infrared camera images were produced, providing important information on the condition of the structure. In addition, 3D scanning was used to create a digital model of the statue and its individual elements with millimetre precision.

The path to complete renewal

Structural restoration of the statue will commence shortly after the completion of the investigations. The internal steel bolts will be replaced as necessary, using corrosion-resistant fasteners. Damaged bronze elements will be repaired by welding or, where appropriate, through reconstruction based on 3D scanning; the more than 40 support brackets of varying sizes on the head will be individually measured and shaped.

The stone column supporting the statue is also being restored

Alongside the restoration of the statue, experts are also conducting a detailed examination of the structural condition of the column, which stands nearly 36 metres tall and supports the statue of the Archangel Gabriel. The column of the Millennium Monument is made of a special type of stone known as springwater limestone. Measurements are currently being taken to determine what interventions are required to ensure the long-term stability of the statue’s supporting structure.

The date for the statue’s return will depend on the assessment of the condition of the supporting column and the restoration work required; however, provided this does not necessitate extensive structural work, the archangel could be returned to Heroes’ Square by the end of 2026.

A centuries-old secret: a time capsule has been found in the plinth

Whilst excavating the concrete pedestal of the statue, the sculpture conservators discovered a broken glass jar containing a rolled-up paper document and eight metal coins.

The time capsule was presumably placed in the plinth at the time of the monument’s unveiling in 1901 and remained undiscovered until 2024. The text is fragmentary and difficult to read due to damage to the paper: „On the twenty-third day of October in the year one thousand nine hundred and one, when the great column of the monument was completed with God’s help […] in the presence of the undersigned.”