Széchenyi Square

Now called Széchenyi Square (previously Széchenyi István Tér), this area was once known as Roosevelt Square, named after U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In 2011, it was renamed in honor of Count István Széchenyi, the founder of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the visionary behind the nearby Chain Bridge. Today, the square resembles more of a park, featuring an open green space that extends toward the Danube River and offers scenic waterfront views.

The square is surrounded by impressive architecture, including the art nouveau-style Gresham Palace—now home to the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel, considered one of Europe’s finest. A visit to the lobby is worthwhile to admire its stunning stained glass, intricate mosaics, and decorative ironwork.

As you wander through the square, you’ll come across several significant landmarks, such as the Ministry of Justice and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Statues also dot the area, including one of Ferenc Deák, the Hungarian statesman instrumental in the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867. Another sculpture on the western side shows Austrian and Hungarian children holding hands, symbolizing peace. Of course, there is also a statue honoring Count István Széchenyi himself, often referred to as “the Greatest Hungarian” for his efforts to modernize the nation.