Hungarian Parliament: history, interesting facts, excursions. Parliament building in Budapest Visiting rules and dress code

The Hungarian Parliament building is one of the most beautiful in Europe, and Hungary treasures it very much. You can get to Parliament on foot or by tram.

At the moment when the decision was made to build this architectural splendor, the stars over Budapest came together in a special way. The city, which for many years was in the shadow of pompous Vienna, instantly found itself on a par with and - the Hungarian Parliament is still considered almost the largest building in Europe. Most of all, it is famous for the fact that throughout modern history restoration work has been carried out on its façade.

The reason for this is the gigantic size of the structure. The scaffolding from its openwork facade almost does not disappear, but only smoothly moves from one end to the other.

The Hungarian Parliament is both a palace and a castle at the same time. Historical, architectural and national heritage of the state. The neo-Gothic building was built right on the Danube embankment, between the Margaret Bridge. Geographically, the Parliament of Budapest belongs to the Pest region.

Popular excursions in Budapest

The most interesting excursions are routes from local residents to Tripster. It’s always interesting to start with (see iconic places and outline routes for future walks). And then devote a day to getting to know (in 2.5 hours you will learn stories about how Masonic societies and other organizations “legacy” in Budapest).

How to get to the Hungarian Parliament

There are three ways to get to the Parliament Building:

Take the metro. Nearest station Kossuth Lajos Ter is located 150 meters away. The M2 line, although the metro in Budapest is simple and intuitive. The only difficulty is the language. But if you figure out how to buy tickets at the box office, you will no longer have problems with movement.
Take the city tram. You can get to the Hungarian Parliament by land transport. Tram number 2, stop Kossuth Lajos ter M.
Walking distance. From St. Stephen's Basilica - about 1 km, from the Vaci shopping street - about 1.5-2 km, from the Chain Bridge - about 1 km. That is, no more than 20 minutes from each of the central attractions of Budapest. You need to focus either on Lajos Kossuth Square, if you intend to get inside the building, or on the facade facing the Danube.

Construction history and scale

Construction began when the process of unification and actual secession from the Austro-Hungarian Empire began in Hungary.

Parliament of Budapest from the Danube embankment

In 1873, the Hungarian cities began the process of unification, but construction permission was still issued by the royal imperial authority. The construction of the parliament started in 1885 and lasted 19 years. The official commissioning of the facility took place in 1904. To select the best project for construction, an open competition was announced among architects. The victory went to Imre Steindl's project.

The parameters of the building are impressive! Such a scale was not conceived by chance: it was supposed to symbolize the greatness of the 1000-year-old Hungarian state:

the total length of the Parliament Building is 265 meters;
the width is more than 118 meters;
the height of the parliament is 96 meters;
Internal area is about 18,000 sq. meters;
the Hungarian Parliament building has several entrances; central, located on the square. Lajos Kossuth is just one of many.

Parliament of Budapest in facts and figures

It was spent on the construction of the building at least 40 million bricks and about 40 kg of gold. Complete finishing work was completed only in 1906, when the Hungarian Parliament began its work.
The building is divided into three parts: central, right and left wings. The inside of the Hungarian Parliament is spacious and no less majestic than the outside. According to various sources, there are from 500 to 700 rooms, 27 gates on different sides, 29 internal and external staircases, 13 elevators. In addition, the building has about 10 courtyards.
The central hall is called the domed hall. Its diameter is 21 meters. The hall is located exactly in the center of parliament. All other rooms were built strictly in symmetry from the domed hall. The building is decorated with numerous towers. All of them are located symmetrically in relation to the main dome and are made in the Gothic style.
In the central hall there are 16 columns supporting the dome at a height of 27 meters. At the top of the columns are sculptures of Hungarian rulers from different historical eras. The hall was painted with frescoes, decorated with sculptures, and on the walls were paintings by Hungarian artists. All are originals.
The dome hall is a museum where state symbols are kept: St. Stephen's crown, scepter and sword. They are guarded by statues of rulers.
In the decoration of absolutely all halls and offices we used gilding, mosaic, wood and marble. Corridors and passages of the Parliament buildings in Budapest are decorated with frescoes, paintings, and sculptures of considerable artistic value.
Along the outer perimeter of the structure there are sculptures of politicians, public figures, warriors and rulers. On the square in front of the parliament there is a monument to the leader of the national movement, Ferenc II Rakoczi. On the opposite side - Lajos Kossuth sculpture. A grand staircase leads to the eastern entrance, on both sides of which there are statues of lions.

Where is the Hungarian Parliament clearly visible?

The most impressive opportunity to take beautiful photos of the parliament in Budapest is a boat trip on the Danube. Ideally, in the evening, when all the city lights are already lit. From the deck or restaurant on the ship, the Hungarian Parliament appears in full view, in the light of delightful lighting and at the closest possible distance. The beauty and grandeur of the palace takes your breath away!

You can book a walk along the Danube at a local travel agency (even easier - go to the pier and ask about the schedule and cost) or online (from your home/hotel in Budapest). A two-hour tour costs 50-60 € per person. (but with cocktails or champagne to choose from) will cost 25-30 €. The program is the same: parliament will be visible both there and there.

Observation deck of the Fisherman's Bastion

On a sightseeing tour of Budapest, the first observation deck with a view of the city will be. There you will see the Hungarian Parliament Building for the first time. You can get a good view from the famous Chain Bridge: from there you can see a panorama of not only the Hungarian Parliament, but also Margaret Island, which divides the river like a giant liner. If you still wait for one of the motor ships plying along the Danube, then the composition will be completely complete.

An even better view of the most beautiful building in Hungary opens from the opposite side of the embankment. Just take a walk along the Danube (from the Chain Bridge, turn right and walk along the river) to take great photos.

Flight schedule from Moscow to Budapest

Direct flights to Budapest Airport. Franz Liszt is flown daily by Aeroflot (2-3 flights/day) and low-cost airline Wizz Air four times a week. Prices for - from 6500 rub. The flight is more than two and a half hours.

The exact address of the Parliament is: Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3, Budapest.

At the end of the 19th century, the capital of Hungary, the city of Buda, merged with Óbuda and Pest into a single city - Budapest. The Danube became the central axis of the new city; many significant architectural buildings of the Hungarian capital were oriented towards it. It is also home to one of the largest government buildings in the world - the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest.

Parliament in Budapest. History and Brief Description

Ideas for the construction of this seat of parliament in Budapest arose immediately after the unification of the cities in 1873. The building was erected in 1885-1904 according to the designs of the architect Imre Steindl. The building in the neo-Gothic style has a length of 265 meters, a width of 118 meters and a height of 96 meters along the central dome. On the façade facing the river, the influence of Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance is noticeable. The central main portal of the building faces Lajos Kossuth Square. In its location and architectural style, the building is reminiscent of the famous Palace of Westminster.

The interior design and scope of the premises are also striking. There are more than two hundred halls, 500 rooms, and a dozen courtyards. Among this vast number of rooms, one can highlight a large domed hall, in which receptions and ceremonial meetings of parliament are held. The hall has a diameter of 21 meters. The vault, at a height of 27 meters, is supported by 16 groups of columns. The capitals of these columns contain sculptures of major Hungarian figures. The hall acts as the center of the building, the rest of the rooms are located symmetrically from it.

The premises are decorated with sculptures, frescoes, and paintings made by the best Hungarian artists. There are also tapestries and paintings from Loca, Rudnai, and Munkacsy.

Now tourists are freely taken on excursions to the building of the Hungarian Parliament. The position and grandeur of the building quickly made the parliament a symbol of Budapest and one of the most famous landmarks in Hungary.

The building of the Hungarian Parliament is located on the Danube coast and is a grandiose structure. In the country, it represents the most interesting example of architecture, which was built in the neo-Gothic style. But the construction of this structure also had another, historical purpose.

The appearance and appearance of the building should have been associated with the hopes of the Hungarian people, which concerned the creation of their own sovereign kingdom.

Let's take a closer look at the history of its appearance. Hungary was only able to gain independence in 1867 because it left the vast Habsburg empire. But, despite this fact, the country continued to be ruled by the Austrian king, Franz Joseph. The independence of the power consisted only in the fact that it now had the opportunity to have its own, separate Parliament.

Despite this, it was only in 1980 that Hungary was able to obtain permission from the king to build a parliament building. Then the lengthy work began on drawing up, obtaining permission and approving the project. Therefore, construction of the building began only in 1884. The work was supervised by the architect Imre Steindl. A long period of time passed before the Hungarian Parliament building was completed.

The first meeting of the State Assembly was held there for the first time only in 1896. This date was not chosen by chance; it is symbolic for the Hungarians, since this year the celebration of the millennium of a historical event took place - the crossing of the Hungarians through the Carpathians. In the country this is interpreted as finding one’s homeland.

Despite the fact that the premises were handed over, the finishing work in it and the interior design were completely completed only in 1906.

More than a thousand workers worked on the construction of the structure. The construction took about forty million bricks, as well as forty kilograms of high-quality gold, which was used for interior decoration.

The result was a majestic structure and a monumental architectural solution. This fully emphasized the wealth of the country of Hungary, which at that time was at the stage of economic recovery.

The main architectural element of the structure is a system of neo-Gothic turrets with high spiers. Between them rises a massive huge dome about a hundred meters high.

The building of the Hungarian Parliament itself has a rectangular shape, the lengths of its sides are 268 and 118 meters. In the middle of the structure there are about a dozen small internal courtyards. There were 691 rooms and a huge hall inside the premises. The building has a unique number of beautiful staircases - twenty-nine of them. The total area of the parliament premises, including corridors, is eighteen thousand square meters.

The main hall is located directly under the dome. It has neither more nor less - sixteen angles. On the sides are two important rooms from a historical point of view, in which one of the chambers of Parliament could previously sit.

The facades of the building were decorated with statues of kings, princes and kings of the country of Hungary, people's warriors, heroes and famous, brave commanders.

A majestic staircase leads to the central entrance of the room, the sides of which are decorated with bronze lions. And on the territory there are several sculptural compositions glorifying Hungary, the country of heroes, independence fighters and kings

Travel business

Tourists should definitely visit the Hungarian Parliament building.

In addition to the fact that this building is one of the most magnificent architectural monuments of Budapest, it is quite significant from a historical point of view.

In its halls, decorated with frescoes and expensive paintings, there is a kind of art gallery that introduces visitors to the building with the culture of the 19th century.

The main relic of the country, the Holy Crown, and also all the regalia of the royal family are also located and stored here. They have been in the building for more than a century, right under the dome. According to legend, these treasures belonged to Emperor Istvan, which were donated back in 1000 by Sylvester II. It was she who crowned the first king.

Conclusion

It is recommended that travelers visit the Hungarian Parliament building not only during the day, when they can see the inside and enjoy the beauty of the architectural design. Because it combines the best ideas of the Gothic style and new trends of modern culture. At night, the structure is a breathtaking and magnificent sight, illuminated by spotlights.

The Hungarian Parliament is the most visited attraction in Budapest. Not a single excursion is complete without a tour of this building, even a cursory one. Externally, it amazes not only with its scale, but also with its architectural style, somewhat reminiscent of London's Palace of Westminster.

Photos of the parliament do not fully reflect the grandeur that emanates from the building. And this, by the way, is the longest building in all of Hungary! And one of the largest government residences in all of Europe!

The building looks most impressive at night, when the lights turn on. Architectural reliefs and lines acquire increased clarity with the onset of darkness, falling shadows create bizarre compositions.

Even children will enjoy the scale of the spectacle, so taking a walk to parliament in the evening will also be useful for them. And there is something to see inside! On days when there are no parliamentary meetings, organized excursions are held in 8 languages, including Russian.

So that you have no doubt that the inside of the Hungarian Parliament building (Orsagaz) in Budapest is no less interesting than the outside, we will give you some amazing facts.

During the construction of the building, 40 million bricks and 40 kg of gold were used, and thousands of people took part in the construction.
The architect never saw his creation completed, as he died in 1902. What is noteworthy is that he did not live only 5 weeks before the grand opening of parliament in 1902 (and external finishing work continued until 1904).
From the mid-twentieth century until the collapse of the USSR, there was a red star on the spire of the dome, the same as on the Kremlin towers. It was removed after Hungary turned to the West.
The domed hall houses the main state symbols of Hungary - the scepter, sword, orb, and the crown of St. Stephen (aka Stephen). This spacious hall is decorated with statues of 16 kings and rulers of Hungary.
There are a total of 250 statues inside and outside the parliament.
The first meeting of parliament took place on the occasion of the millennium of Hungary and happened before the building was completed - in 1896.

How to get on a tour of the Hungarian Parliament

There is an official website of the Hungarian Parliament, which publishes up-to-date information about excursions. Tours in a specific language are strictly limited by time.

For example, previously Russian-language excursions were held at 15.00, then they were moved to 11.00. Tickets can be purchased online on the same website, after payment you just need to print them and scan them at the entrance to parliament. Or you can buy it at the ticket office near the building, but you will have to stand in line. Please note that purchasing tickets online will require a fee of approximately 250 HUF.

Up-to-date information can also be found at the stand located near the fence on the side of the memorial obelisk. It is dedicated to the events of 1956, when Soviet tanks crushed the uprising in Budapest. At the appointed time, a guide approaches the gathered tourists and takes the group inside.

The duration of the tour is about 45 minutes, while the staff accompanying the group ensure that no one deviates from the route. So you won’t be able to take a random walk around the parliament grounds. Sometimes excursions are postponed to another day. This is due to the meetings that are held here periodically. Although there are two halls in parliament. Previously, the government was bicameral, but now the second hall is simply rented out.

Hungarian Parliament from the inside

From the street the parliament looks large, but inside it can truly be compared to! Even adults will be amazed by the scope of interior finishing work, let alone children.

Consider the fact that 40 kg of gold were used during construction alone. There are gilded elements on the walls and ceiling, and paintings by famous Hungarian artists can be seen everywhere. The interior is designed in a medieval style and includes mosaic panels and stained glass windows.

Walking along huge staircases covered with red carpets, it is very difficult not to be distracted and look carefully at your feet, because all the luxury around is impressive and attracts the eye.

The height of the largest dome of parliament is 27 m - just imagine, this is equivalent to a 9-story building! And the diameter reaches 20 m.

In the central domed hall, children will be interested in looking at the main symbols of Hungary, solemnly guarded by a real guard of honor. The main attraction is Stephen's crown, placed on a velvet pillow. And next to it you can see a scepter, an orb and a sword. There are several theories about the origin of this crown, which you will learn about from the guide.

For example, why there is a crooked cross on both the crown and the Hungarian coat of arms, which rulers were not crowned with its help, why it visited the US gold depository and how it returned to its homeland.

It is believed that once they tried to smuggle the crown out of the palace, so they hid it in a casket and covered it with a lid. In a hurry and carelessly, they broke the cross, which is why it remains in this condition to this day. They decided not to level it in memory of the events that took place.

Even children will listen to all these stories with enthusiasm, after which tourists will proceed to the meeting rooms of parliamentarians. As mentioned above, there are two of them. Completely identical.

The interiors are designed in the same medieval style, but each workplace is equipped with modern gadgets. And on the window sills there are numbered compartments for cigars. And they also have their own history of origin.

To sum up, it can be noted that a visit to the Hungarian Parliament will be interesting for the whole family. Both children and adults will appreciate the scale of the building, the beauty of the finishing work, listen to fascinating stories and wonder which of the legends about the crown is more like the truth.

Tourists who visited here noted that the total excursion time is not always enough. The beauty of the parliamentary interiors is impressive, but some would have liked the tour to last longer. Although, on the other hand, 45 minutes is quite enough for a visit with a child.

The building of the Hungarian Parliament, photos of which are presented below, is a symbol and one of the main attractions not only of Budapest itself, but of the entire country. It is included in the list of the largest government buildings on the planet. Excursions are held here for everyone, which is why hundreds of thousands of tourists come here every year. In one of the halls the main values of the country are stored: the scepter, crown and mace of St. Stephen, who is the most respected ruler, because it was he who laid the foundations of Hungary’s statehood.

Prerequisites for construction

The state received the right to build its own parliament building in 1880. Since before this it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, there was no similar structure in Budapest. In this regard, it was decided to build a new building of the Hungarian Parliament from scratch. The authorities announced a competition, in which 19 projects took part. Its winner was the work of the then famous architect, adherent of the neo-Gothic style, Imre Steindl. For the construction, a site was chosen on the banks of the Danube, located between the Margaret Bridge and the Chain Bridge. Construction work started in 1885.

Construction

The construction of the facility lasted almost twenty years. Several thousand workers from all over the country took part in its construction. The building of the Hungarian Parliament was finally completed in 1904. However, the first meeting of the state government was held there ten years earlier. At that time, celebrations were held here to celebrate the millennium since the conquest of Hungary by the Magyars. 40 million bricks and 40 kilograms of gold were used to build the palace. Unfortunately, the architect Imre Steindl never saw his creation in its completed form, because he did not live to see this time and died in 1902.

general description

The building of the Hungarian Parliament is made in the neo-Gothic style. According to the architect, its exterior was supposed to emphasize the greatness of the country, which at that time was on a wave of constant economic growth. In turn, the location on the banks of the Danube symbolized the people's hopes for independence from Austria, as well as for cultural and political freedom.

The palace was built in the shape of a regular rectangle. Its dimensions in length and width are 268 and 123 meters, respectively. The height of the main dome is 96 meters. It is believed that this figure contains some symbolism, because in 896 the country was conquered by the Magyars. The facade is made of light stone. It contains 88 sculptures of personalities who played an important role in the history of the state. In addition, the facade is decorated with numerous columns, arches, cornices, towers and other architectural decorative elements.

Interior

The Hungarian Parliament building looks no less impressive and majestic inside than outside. Here visitors can see a large number of paintings, mosaic floors, elegant stained glass windows, panels and frescoes on the ceilings, beautiful lamps and much more. The building has 691 rooms. All rooms and halls are decorated with gold, expensive noble materials, precious woods and velvet. There are expensive carpets on the floors. Directly under the central dome is the so-called Main Hall, where meetings were held and important laws were adopted. It is decorated with sculptures depicting the history of the state, starting from the moment of its conquest by the Magyars. There are ten courtyards inside. You can get to the upper floors using 13 elevators and 29 stairs. In order to enter the Hungarian Parliament building, there are 27 gates. It should be noted that the side wings are symmetrical and have a similar interior. One of them still hosts government meetings, and the other hosts excursions for everyone.

Excursions

As noted above, the building is open to the public. Excursions are paid and conducted by professional guides in eight languages. Their cost for adults is 4 thousand forints, and for children under 6 years of age admission is free. They take place almost every day, with the exception of some public holidays. In this regard, it is recommended to clarify this point before going on an excursion to the Hungarian Parliament building.

Opening hours vary depending on the day of the week. For example, from Monday to Friday, entry is allowed from 8-00 to 18-00, and on Saturday and Sunday - from 8-00 to 16-00. On days of plenary sessions, you can only go inside until 10 a.m. For tourists from our country, it is best to go here any day by 11-00, since this time is allocated for Russian-language excursions.

When visiting the building, you must adhere to the rules established by the security service. Every person who comes inside is carefully searched by security staff. It is recommended to take as few things with you as possible. Entry with any type of weapon, including gas canisters, is prohibited. For the convenience of tourists, the building provides storage rooms and a cloakroom. It should also be noted that people with disabilities can also visit it. All you need to do in this case is simply ask for help when buying a ticket at the box office. Visitors with low vision are even allowed to enter with a guide dog.