Kolodko Sculptures in Kőbánya

The Hungarian capital has been enriched with two more mini-statues as the characteristic Kolodko figures have appeared in its 10th District, Kőbánya for the first time. The sculptor has been inspired by history of the Dreher breweries.

The past of the Dreher family is a novel story that spans centuries. The Kőbánya Brewing Company, founded in 1854, is now known as Dreher Breweries. The brewery was developed into a successful venture by Antal Dreher Sr. through his own invention, the beer now known as the Vienna Lager. He also started brewing in Pest, and after his death, his son and grandson, Antal Dreher Jr. and Jenő Dreher, further developed the Kőbánya Brewery, which soon became the largest brewery in the country.

"Along our Dreher-to-Dreher philosophy, last year's 165th anniversary was an important milestone in our lives, which included an unusual exhibition and a beer tour, and now continues with the museum's modernization and renovation," Ibolya Szabó, Senior Corporate Affairs Specialist at Dreher Breweries said. She added that “the special sculptures have been inspired by the history of the brewery and are also closely linked to brewing. The mini-sculptures will be presented as part of our beer tours, together with our renewable and soon reopening beer museum, we will present them to the general public."

The two mini-sculptures show two iconic scenes. One of these is a statue of a real, contemporary beer keg in the factory courtyard, depicting Antal Dreher, with his characteristic walking stick in his hand, and one of the most beautiful brewing houses in Europe in the background. In front of the factory stands another statue depicting a beer cart standing on a real limestone bridge, pulled by two Dreher horses.

The sculptor, Mihály Kolodko said he was immediately touched by the atmosphere and history of the brewery touched me as he was able to walk from the cellar to the attic, seeing the attic designed by the Eiffel office, the 100-year-old Zilina tiles, the beer horses, the hundred-year-old barrels. "I was particularly pleased with the invitation, because now my sculptures can appear in Kőbánya, in the geometric center of Budapest.”

Ibolya Szabó added that their goal is to strengthen Kőbánya's involvement in the tourist life of Budapest with these developments, and to present the past and present of Dreher to beer fans and those interested in beer history.