A Member of Parliament representing Pécs, an honorary citizen of the town, Lajos Kossuth was one of the most significant figures of the War of Independence of 1848-1849. He died in 1894 in Torino. Following his death statues were erected to commemorate him all over the country. Lajos Kossuth was regarded as the innovator of the Hungarian constitution and the creator of equality before the law. The leadership of the town decided that a statue should commemorate Lajos Kossuth. A committee was formed to create the necessary financial means and to oversee the creation of the statue.
The sculptor of the statue unveiled on 10 May 1908 was János Horvay. The figure stands on a 4 metres tall secessionist base on the western side of the square. Kossuth wears a traditional Hungarian ceremonial attire, an overcoat on the shoulder, he holds his right hand over his heart as if saying an oath. There are two turul birds on the two sides of the statue. The iron fence is the work of József Piskur master locksmith.