Szinva Terrace
Encyclopedia
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, next to the stream Szinva
Szinva
Szinva is a stream in northern Hungary, a tributary to the river Sajó. It originates in the Bükk Mountains. It is 30 kilometres long, 20 kilometres of which can be found the city of Miskolc, through which the stream flows from west to east...
which runs through the city.
The square was constructed in autumn 2005 in place of a parking lot, as a part of the reconstruction of the city centre, and was opened to the public on November 5. Construction cost 450 million Ft
Hungarian forint
The forint is the currency of Hungary. It is divided into 100 fillér, although fillér coins are no longer in circulation. The introduction of the forint on 1 August 1946 was a crucial step of the post-WWII stabilization of the Hungarian economy, and the currency remained relatively stable until...
(mainly funded from European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
sources). The square consists of terraces and stairs leading down to the Szinva and a small artificial waterfall which is lit by lamps in the evenings.
The name of the square was chosen on December 8 by the city council from a list of eight suggested names including Szinva terrace, Szinva promenade, Kandia terrace, Szinva-side promenade, Port square, Szinva rest, Kandia rest, Széppataki square and Ostrava
Ostrava
Ostrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. Located close to the Polish border, it is also the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region and of the Municipality with Extended Competence. Ostrava was candidate for the...
square.
The square has four flagpoles, three of which fly the flags of Miskolc, Hungary and the EU. A highlight of the square is the statue Girls of Miskolc, showing three young girls on a bench (made by sculptor László Kutas
László Kutas
László Kutas is a leading figure of contemporary Hungarian sculptural art. His figurative sculptures, commemorative coins and medals, major public and private statues can be found in museums, private collections and public squares including Windsor Palace in London, the International Coin...
). Another statue nearby is that of Mancs, the famous rescue dog
Search and rescue dog
The use of dogs in search and rescue is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. Dedicated handlers and well-trained dogs are required for the use of dogs to be effective in search efforts...
.
At the same time when the square was constructed, Kandia street (a nearby small pedestrian street which starts from the square and opens to Széchenyi street, opposite the National Theatre of Miskolc
National Theatre of Miskolc
The National Theatre of Miskolc is the main theatre of Miskolc, and the oldest theatre company of Hungary. Its current Classicist and Neo-baroque building built between 1847–1857, standing in downtown Széchenyi street is home to not only theatrical plays, but events like the International Opera...
) was covered with a glass roof; this street (now called Kandia passage) now functions as an open-air exhibition place where drawings are often featured. Love padlocks
Love padlocks
Love padlocks are a custom by which padlocks are affixed to a fence, gate, bridge or similar public fixture by sweethearts to symbolize their everlasting love.- History :...
recently appeared on the fence of a small bridge at the Western end of Szinva Terrace.