A prickly experience

This statue of St Sebastian, and other saints, is situated outside the ancient Matyas church which stands high above the river Danube. The church, which dates from 1387, was almost totally destroyed in the fighting between the German and Red armies during siege of Budapest in 1945. It has now been largely restored to its former glory.

Saint Sebastian, died about 268, was a Christian martyr who was killed during the Roman emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians. He is commonly depicted in art tied to a post or tree and shot with arrows. However, he survived the ordeal after being rescued and healed by Irene of Rome. He went on to criticise the emperor and was then clubbed to death for his pains.