In Pest, outside the houses of parliament is a rather beautiful, unassuming monument along the riverbank. From a distance you'd be forgiven for thinking people have left shoes there but they're actually bronze castings of war era shoes. 60 pairs in total.
On January 8th 1945, members of the Jewish community were forced out of a nearby building, made to strip naked and lined up along the riverbank; where they were shot with arrows into the Danube river by Arrow Cross military men. The shoes were installed in remembrance of those who lost their lives.
Standing in front of these shoes, I noticed that everyone around me was silent. The power this sculpture has is truly remarkable. It really makes you stop and reflect on what people went through and the terror they must have felt. I'll admit that I found it hard to hold back tears when I saw a pair of baby shoes in the mix.
This beautiful, thought invoking monument was erected in 2005 and was created by Gyula Pauer.
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