Pest - Vörösmarty tér

This square, lying in the very heart of the city of Pest, commemorates the writer Mihály Vörösmarty (1800-55); there is a marble monument (1908) to the poet. Around the square stand some faithfully restored commercial offices. On the north side of Vörösmarty tér can be found the renowned Café Gerbeaud, which has been a popular meeting-place since the beginning of this century. On the west side of Vörösmarty tér will be seen the rear of the Pest Redoubt ("Vigadó"). Intended for festival occasions and all kinds of musical entertainment (Liszt, Brahms and Bartók all appeared here), the Vigadó was built between 1859 and 1864 to plans by Frigyes Feszl (1821-84), and is one of the most remarkable creations of Hungarian Romanticism. It was severely damaged at the end of the Second World War, but after very many years of careful restoration it was again opened in 1980.

In the Vigadó Gallery are exhibitions of works by famous artists.