Statue of Queen Elizabeth

"In memory of Queen Elizabeth of happy memory, love is erecting statues one after another in every part of the country. On October 27, in Prešov, the bronze bust made by Alajos Stróbl, which stands on a granite base, was unveiled with a beautiful ceremony. The association promoting the beautification of Prešov erected it in the park in front of the artillery barracks. The association's president, József Ghillány, gave a speech, after which Mayor Bálint Podhorányi took the statue into the custody of the city. Finally, the entire audience sang the Sermon. Many decorative wreaths were placed on the statue." (Vasárnapi Ujság, November 3, 1901, p. 716) ; The empress, celebrated as one of the most beautiful women of her time, visited Prešov in the summer of 1895. After her tragic death in 1898, the city government decided to commemorate the benevolent empress with a statue. ; The seventy-centimeter work was made by Alajos Stróbl and had been the pride of the city since 1901. However, with the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the establishment of the independent Czechoslovak Republic in 1918, it was removed from its original location and was damaged with an axe shortly afterwards. ; The statue, which was thought to be lost, was found, badly damaged, the crown had also been stolen from its head, and with pick marks on its face, the statue was found in the local museum's warehouse. The city mayor took up the cause of its restoration and re-inauguration. On September 16, 2010, the beautifully renovated statue was placed back in the public square. Unfortunately, the crown was not returned to the statue, and instead of the queen's name, only the nickname Sissi can be read on the pedestal. ; The restoration of the statue was carried out by restorer Vjaceslav Bobak.