Lions in Hungary: From King Matthias to the Budapest Chain Bridge

In observance of World Lion Day on August 10, historical and cultural connections to lions in Hungary are highlighted. Historically, King Matthias kept a pair of lions in his hunting park in Buda, received as a gift from the Prince of Florence.

In Budapest, the first lion house at the Zoo was constructed in 1876 based on the designs of Alajos Hauszmann. While the animals initially faced health challenges due to nutrition, they became a significant attraction for visitors.

Beyond the zoo, the stone lions of the Chain Bridge remain iconic symbols of Budapest. Sculpted by János Marschalkó in 1852 from Sóskút limestone, these figures were temporarily replaced by a 2.8-ton LEGO replica during restoration efforts in 2022.