Follow the Hungarian guerrilla sculptor to the most beautiful cities of our country!

If you think of street art as graffiti lurking on a lonely wall, you are barking up the wrong tree, because it is much more diverse than that. Street art is a now globally recognised art style that is most commonly found in public spaces and public places, where talented artists work hard, such as on walls, buildings, sidewalks and other surfaces in cities.

The genre is now much more than graffiti, it is about artistic expression and communication with the community itself. This includes paintings, murals, stickers, stencils or even installations. Some artists convey political, social or cultural messages through their work, while others focus more on the aesthetic experience: in one way or another, these works are a defining feature of the cityscape. Over the past decades, more and more established street artists have come to the fore, promoting and supporting this creative genre.

To get a slice of the street art cake, let’s take a look at the Ukrainian-Hungarian sculptor Mihály Kolodko, whose work is spreading more and more widely, and can now be seen not only in his hometown of Uzhhorod, but also in many Hungarian towns. Early in his career, the Transcarpathian artist created large-scale public sculptures. He captured his ideas in the form of smaller models and, due to a lack of funds, he made several small sculptures.

The artist creates small but very effective mini-sculptures in bronze that not only capture the attention, but also trigger profound thoughts. These tiny treasures leave a deep impression on the viewer, as they focus the community’s attention on important social and political issues. Thus, Mihály Kolodko’s art not only feeds the hungry eyes aesthetically, but also actively participates in a social dialogue through its messages.

From the well-known poem by Sándor Petőfi, so dear to our hearts, the figure of Morzsi, the Dog and Mother Hen make up the memorable pair of the statue of Mother Hen, to the right of the railway station gate in Vác. This city also boasts two other Kolodko works. The statue of Maria Theresa’s Ecstasy, depicting the fainting of our Empress, is located at the Stone Gate, while a caricature of Ferenc Sajdik is on the 15th of March Square.

When you are hungry for more than culture after all the sightseeing, what can you find at the gateway to the Danube Bend? Remete Pince (‘Hermitage Cellar’) Restaurant and Mihályi Patisserie are two gastronomic gems of Vác. Furthermore, Révkapu Restauran’s Maria Theresa melange is a great coffee drink that has been incorporated into the city’s marketing mix.

The mini sculptures in the countryside can be found in special places, let’s see the next rural spot, which is Tihany

If you walk along the Pisky promenade, you can admire the panoramic view of Lake Balaton, and along the stone wall, you can stumble upon the statue of Gombóc Artúr, known from the cartoon series titled “Pom Pom's Tales”. Echo Restaurant could be a tempting gastronomic favourite in the lavender-scented city. A glass of fine wine, the flavours of our childhood, the endless Lake Balaton and the view of Tihany Abbey. In addition to the restaurant’s unrivalled gastronomic experience, there is a promising panoramic view from the top of the Echo Hill in Tihany.

When visiting the Lake Balaton area, don’t miss Veszprém!

The stunning LeoNóra mini statue rests on the banks of the Séd stream, just a stone’s throw from the Margaret ruins and the excellent Fricska restaurant, which was once even visited by Mel Gibson. If you are travelling with your family or children, the Veszprém Zoo is a worthwhile proposition for young and old alike.

Last, but not least: Nyírbátor

The statue of the moustachioed Salt carrier stands in front of the Sóút, which once passed through the village, to pay homage to the past and remind us of the importance of the place. And in the Nyírség, we heartily recommend the Kakukk Restaurant and Guesthouse, with its charmingly rustic cuisine.