SMS Leitha [the Lajta Monitor Museumship], the first river monitor warship in Europe and the only one surviving moored on the Danube in Budapest
SMS Leitha [the Lajta Monitor Museumship], the first river monitor warship in Europe and the oldest and also the only remaining, fully restored warship of the Austro-Hungarian Navy is currently moored on a pontoon in front of the Parliament building. Laid down in 1871 and launched in 1872, the monitor saw active service in the First World War. In 1919, ’Lajta’ and her sister ship, the ‘Maros’ took an active part in the so-called ‘Monitor Revolt’ which was one of the first anti-communist rebellions in the world. A military takeover was organized in Budapest against the communist dictatorship and naval support from the Danube was seen as crucial to its success. When the monitors appeared on the river, they hoisted the red-white-green national flag, instead of the Soviet red one. The people welcomed them, but the revolt was soon brutally suppressed by Hungarian communist forces.
Size: 4127px × 2759px
Photo credit: © Lars Ørstavik / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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