As a Parliament Building this one looks like a cross between the British Houses of Parliament and the Kremlin - part domed gothic cathedral, part monument to the history of Hungary.

It took almost twenty years to finish, and the architect, whose design won a competition, went blind before it was completed in 1904. When you see the size of it this is more understandable – it has 691 rooms and it’s one of the largest parliaments in Europe and absorbed 40 million bricks it its construction – and, interestingly, 40 kilograms of gold and half a million precious stones. It’s a pretty impressive building to enter, the front façade is decorated with more than 240 statues of notable Hungarian civic and military leaders and stepping inside you can easily be overwhelmed by frescos, stained glass and busts. The most famous part of the building is the Lower House, also called the Central Hall. It has sixteen sides and is reached by grand stair case. This is a room that means business.

The other highlights are the Coronation Regalia, including a golden orb, a sword and the Holy Crown, a painted glass window and the numbered cigar holders outside the debating chambers.

The building graces the Pest side of the Danube – not that you’d miss it. EU citizens can go on a free, hour long tour at 10, 12, 1 and 2, everyone else is welcome but you have to pay. Tours are offered in English, French, Russian, German, Japanese, Hebrew, Spanish and Italian.

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

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If you are visiting the Parliament during the high season, advanced booking is highly recommended at the following e-mail address: tourist.office@parlament.hu unless you want to join the long queue at gate X. and all tickets are sold just in front of you.

 

Comment posted 11th September 2009 by Agnes.

1 reply...

Thanks for the tip Agnes. I visited the Parliament building a few years back - what a beautiful structure. Budapest has to be the most beautiful capital in Eastern Europe - beats Prague for me.

 

Reply posted 12th September 2009 by James Dunford Wood.

Its just a shame its *always* covered in scaffolding...

 

Comment posted 21st July 2009 by Al James.

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