Standing majestically in the center of Vörösmarty Square, this statue was created by Miklós Vay. It was unveiled on May 6, 1866, through the initiative of Count Jenő Zichy, who was just 23 years old at the time.

The statue originally faced the city center and was protected by a wrought-iron fence, as cattle were still driven past the little park to the pasture every morning back then. Due to increased traffic, Széchenyi Street next to the square had to be widened; the statue was subsequently relocated in front of the Say House (8 Vörösmarty Square) and turned to face the busy main road. The buildings in the romantic row behind the monument were designed by Miklós Ybl around 1860, each featuring exceptionally beautiful ornamentation.