It is one of the world’s most famous parliament buildings. A majestic, imposing, breathtaking edifice. Hungary’s Parliament is, without a doubt, the country’s most famous building. A giant on the banks of the Danube, and a stunningly beautiful one. Welcome to the Budapest Parliament building!
The Parliament building is one of Budapest’s not-to-be-missed attractions. It is an architectural icon in the city, and the seat of power in Hungary. In addition, the Parliament building is particularly beautiful. Its vast scale, combined with its mainly Gothic style, makes the building a monumental complex which dominates the centre of the city.
- History of the Budapest Parliament building
- Inside the Budapest Parliament building
- Interesting facts about the Budapest Parliament building
- Rules and tips for visiting the Parliament
- Where to eat near the Budapest Parliament
- Where to stay in Budapest
History of the Budapest Parliament building
The Budapest Parliament is Hungary’s most iconic building. It is currently the world’s third largest parliament building (after the Romanian and Argentinian Parliaments); it has 691 rooms and measures 268 metres long by 118 wide, and its cupola reaches 96 metres in height.
Building began in 1885 under the direction of the architect Imre Steindl, and was completed on the country’s 1000th anniversary in 1896. However, the keys of the building were not handed over until 1902, and it only opened fully in 1904, five weeks after the death of the architect who designed it. Steindl took his inspiration form the British Parliament building in London, and aimed to showcase the economic power of Hungary in that period.
The Parliament was built to accommodate the two Houses of legislative power, although it became a single chamber after the Second World War. This was during the time of the Hungarian People’s Republic (1949-1989), when a red star was placed on the building’s cupola, a symbol of the socialist regime that ruled the country.
Inside the Budapest Parliament building
The interior of the Parliament building is an overwhelming sight. The entrance, via the main staircase, is what one would expect to see in a royal palace. Marble, lamps, sculptures, gilding, the red carpet and the impressive, decorated ceilings mark the way up to the first floor. The staircase is, without question, one of the most outstanding features.
In the centre of the building, beneath the great cupola, can be seen the ancient Hungarian crown jewels in what is, perhaps, the Parliament’s most beautiful room. The jewels are the Crown of St. Stephen (or the Holy Hungarian crown), one of the oldest in Europe, and renowned for its twisted cross, along with the sceptre, the orb, and the sword.
Another highlight of the visit is the former Upper House, which is no longer in use. The Budapest Parliament building has two chambers. Firstly, there is the Lower House where the National Assembly meets; this is the equivalent of the British House of Commons, which is in operation and is closed to the public. Then there is the extremely beautiful Upper Chamber, which is included in the guided tour.
The Hungarian Parliament has a symmetrical floor plan, with the two chambers on either side of the central cupola.
Interesting facts about the Budapest Parliament building
The size of the building and the task of its construction give rise to a few interesting facts. It was built by a workforce of 100,000 using 40 million bricks, and 40 kilos of 22-carat gold. It was intended to be a national symbol in every sense, from its décor to its construction by Hungarian craftsmen. They only used local raw materials — apart from the columns of the main staircase, which came from Sweden.
The red carpet that covers the corridors measures almost three kilometres in length, and 17,745 square metres of it cover the rooms over four floors. In addition to its 691 rooms, the Parliament building has 29 staircases, 10 courtyards, 13 lifts, the two chambers for representatives, and 90 sculptures.
Another fascinating fact is that, from the very beginning, it had central heating and air conditioning, making it one of the most modern buildings of its age.
Rules and tips for visiting the Parliament
Fortunately, Budapest Parliament is open to the public for guided tours available in several languages, including English. You can purchase tickets online or at the ticket offices. We advise you to do this early in the day, as the Parliament is one of Budapest’s most popular tourist attractions.
The Parliament is closed on certain national festival days. We advise you check the schedules to avoid last-minute disappointments.
The entrance to the building has a security checkpoint, and large bags and dangerous objects are not allowed.
Where to eat near the Budapest Parliament
The Hungarian Parliament is located right in the centre of Budapest, on the eastern bank of the Danube, on the Pest side. The perfect place to find good places to eat nearby.
We recommend the following places to eat near the Budapest Parliament:
- Hungarikum Bisztro: an informal eatery where you can try authentic, traditional dishes such as goulash, duck confit, or meat stews. Simple, and great value for money.
- Tulipano: a modern restaurant serving gastronomic Hungarian dishes at quite reasonable prices. They offer a good selection of meat dishes, such as pork loin or venison stew, as well as traditional Hungarian soups.
- Madal Cafe: if you prefer fast food, the Madal Cafe is virtually opposite the Parliament building. They serve coffees, rolls and simple dishes so that you can quickly recharge your batteries, and then continue your exploration of Budapest.
