The Shoes on the Danube Bank is a Holocaust memorial on the Pest-side Danube promenade in Budapest. It honors the thousands of people — most of them Jews — who were shot on the riverbank by the Nazi-allied Arrow Cross (Nyilas) militia in 1944–45, their bodies carried away by the river. Because shoes were valuable, victims were forced to remove them first; film director Can Togay and sculptor Gyula Pauer captured that moment in 60 pairs of 1940s-style iron shoes fixed to the embankment, unveiled in 2005. As of 2026 it remains freely open along the promenade just south of the Parliament and is one of Budapest's most-visited memorials — a short but sobering stop.
Sixty cast-iron shoes mixing men's work boots, women's heels and children's shoes, each hinting at an individual life
A roughly 40 m long, 70 cm high stone bench running behind the shoes, carrying the memorial inscription
Three cast-iron plaques inscribed in Hungarian, English and Hebrew
Candles and flowers left by visitors, and small stones placed on the shoes in the Jewish tradition of remembrance
Sweeping views of the Parliament alongside and of Buda Castle across the river — especially at sunset
Good to know
SafetyYou stand right at the unrailed river's edge; footing can be slippery in rain, snow or ice. Don't step backward while framing photos.
SeasonWind off the Danube makes winter feel bitterly cold, and there is no shade in summer heat. Sunset offers good light and thinner crowds.
RulesIt is free, outdoors and open 24 hours, but it is effectively a grave and a memorial — do not climb on the shoes or take them.
MannersThis commemorates Holocaust victims, so avoid smiling posed selfies and keep your visit quiet. Leaving a small stone is a Jewish gesture of remembrance.
CautionThe promenade, tram 2 and the Parliament area draw pickpockets — keep your bag in front. Ignore river-cruise and taxi touts; use the Bolt app or an official taxi.
RulesOn BKK public transport you must validate (punch) your ticket, and plain-clothes inspectors fine fare-dodgers. Carry a valid ticket or pass when riding tram 2.
Practical info
Take scenic tram 2 along the river or metro line M2 to the Kossuth Lajos tér stop, then walk toward the river and south for about five minutes; the memorial sits roughly 300 m south of the Parliament. It is an open-air site with no entrance fee, freely accessible 24 hours and requiring no ticket, but check current tram/metro fares and schedules with official BKK information.
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