Kálmán Gerster

The name of Deák Ferenc is firmly connected with the changes from feudalistic to more democratic system of government. Deák tried to defend the succsses of the revolution of 1848 and particularly the independence of the hungarian nation against the power of the Austrian monarchy. Unfortunately this was not possible immediately and in 1861 the parliament was dismissed. Deak became an important leader of passive resistance. Even though the revolution failed the process of change in society could not be stopped. Finally Deák and his companions came to the conclusion that it would be better for Hungary to seek the "compromise" with the weak regime in Vienna instead of becoming victim of the expanding super powers of those times Prussia and Russia. Under the impression of the desastrous defeat of the austrian army at Königsgrätz on July 3, 1866, the Habsburg regime had no other choice to accept most of the concept Deák had worked out for what became the well known KuK. monarchy. Kossuth however saw this compromise as "death of the hungarian nation". Franz Joseph appointed the new government on February 1867 and Gyula Andrássy became prime minister. Count Gyula Andrássy had been sentenced to death in 1851 and now he helped to crown his "hangman" Franz Joseph

 

The mausoleum for Ferenc Deák is one of the very distinct buildings on the Kerepesi Temetö.Again Kálmán Gerster had designed this building which was finished in 1897.