Soulful Shoes - Budapest, Hungary

Along the Pest side of the Danube River in Budapest, lies a powerful memorial commemorating the victims of the Holocaust. The memorial, Shoes on the Danube Promenade, was created by Hungarian sculptors, Gyula Pauer and Can Togayn, in 2005.

The monument consists of 60 pairs of cast iron shoes, all modeled after traditional 1940s footwear. Placed along the bank of the Danube River, the shoes represent the Jewish Hungarians, who were shot into the water along this promenade during the Arrow Cross terror reign in 1944 and 1945. Given the scarcity of leather shoes during World War II, the victims were made to leave theirs behind before they were brutally executed and buried in the water of the Danube River.

Strolling along the water’s edge among the fallen shoes, one can’t help, but reflect and pause in a moment of silence to honor those whose lives were taken much too soon.