He is guarding our city!
Who is he?
A Guard of Veszprém castle, watching over our city. He took up his post at the entrance of the one-time border castle, at Heroes’ Gate. He is proud to be wearing the Crown Guardians’ uniform and is carefully protecting his tiny treasure chest. He is a true patriot, disciplined and alert. He might be somewhat stern but has an immense heart.
The Guard symbolizes the past.
The birth of Ernő
The work was inspired by the city’s history. It is meant to represent a range of Veszprém happenings and stories, from the battles of the Turkish times and World War I to World War II when the Crown of Hungary was briefly safeguarded in Veszprém. The Crown of Hungary and the Holy Dexter were held safe in Veszprém from 6th November to 6th December 1944. Ernő is wearing the period uniform of the Royal Hungarian Crown Guards.
Ernő’s site, plans and concepts
The Guard was placed at the western pillar of Heroes’ Gate on Monday, 13th July 2020. The name-giving vote closed on 1st August 2020: since then, the guard has been called Ernő after a former commanding officer of the Royal Hungarian Crown Guards, Ernő Pajtás. It was under his command that the Crown of Hungary and the Holy Dexter were held safe in Veszprém for a month. This mini sculpture differs from the other two in the fact that for this one, the site was chosen first, and the content of Veszprém’s historic events was formulated on this basis. In the case of the other two works the content was the first to be determined. This was the sculpture which first had a full concept, and it was also the one which was first modelled out of plasticine, but came to be cast in bronze as second. This statue was the first to be installed.
Details
Material: bronze. Dimensions: length: 12 cm, width: 10 cm, height: 30 cm.
Ernő can be visited every day of the year.
