“Sissi” Mural

Bavarian by birth and Austrian by marriage, Elisabeth of Austria—known as “Sissi”—loved to be everywhere at once, except near her royal court in Vienna. She adored Greece, France, and Portugal. Calling herself “the seagull of the seas”, she would retreat, recharge, and rest in these Mediterranean countries. She treated the vast Austro-Hungarian empire with large indifference, except for one place that she held closest to her heart – Hungary. And the Hungarian people returned this love. Admiration, celebration, the Gödöllő Palace—nothing was too much for their beloved sovereign. Today, this unconventional empress’ memory lives on in Budapest. There’s a bridge and boulevard named after her. Her legendary beauty—to which she devoted extreme discipline—is kept alive through statues and murals, like the one before you. Created in 2013 by the “Neopaint” collective, Elisabeth of Austria takes centre stage, with her long auburn hair and a diamond crown. Above the portrait, you’ll see a list of the longest streets in the neighbourhood. One final tribute to this great woman is the name of the district you’re in. The 7th district is called Elisabeth Town, dedicated to the rebellious and modern queen, who has inspired many Hungarian filmmakers.