Arc de Triomphe
1764 is a significant year in our city. In honour of the visit of Maria Theresa and her family, several buildings in the city centre were renovated, including the Arch of Triumph, known locally as the Stone Gate. Visit the only triumphal arch in the country, the only one of its kind in Europe, has not been built since.
Our architect Bishop Kristóf Migazzi had it built in honour of the Queen, as was the custom of the time. Fortunately, the queen's fears were not confirmed, as the gate may have been built too quickly, but it has remained there ever since, to the delight of all, and we can pass under it on foot, by bicycle, in a carriage, or even by car or bus.
In 1764 the monarch arrived by boat on the Danube from the Diet of Bratislava. The nobility awaited the guests on horseback, dressed in fancy livery. The arrival of the boat was signaled by a cannon shot. The gate was built near the boat harbour, on the outskirts of the town at the time, 20 m high, 12 m wide and 4 m thick.
If you stand close, you can look up and see eagles holding a garland of flowers in their beaks on the sides, and marble plaques with inscriptions between the reliefs of the members of the royal family on the front. On the side facing Kisvárc are the busts of Maria Theresa and Emperor Francis, on the right side towards the town the portraits of Archduke Ferdinand and Archduke Miksa, and on the left side Joseph II and Lipót II.
The gate was completed in just five months, and has remained in its splendour ever since. The symbolic building has inspired many artists over the years. In 2021, a mini-sculpture of Maria Theresa by Mihály Kolodko was placed in the shadow of the stone gate. Inspired by the legend, it captures the moment when the Empress looks at the huge gate in astonishment, perhaps not daring to pass under it.
There are many legends linked to the Arc de Triomphe, along with many other interesting stories, here: https://visitvac.hu/a-diadaliv-kalandos-tortenete/
2600 Vác, Köztársaság út 65.