The Hungarian Parliament Building (Országház) is the largest building in Hungary and, by most measures, the most photographed. Its neo-Gothic silhouette on the Pest bank of the Danube, especially lit at night and viewed from the Buda side, is the single image most associated with Budapest internationally.
History and Architecture
Completed in 1904 after 17 years of construction, the Parliament was designed by architect Imre Steindl in a competition marking Hungary’s 1896 millennial celebrations of the Magyar conquest. The building is 268 metres long and 96 metres tall, with a central dome that was, for decades, the tallest structure in Budapest by law, matched in height only by St. Stephen’s Basilica so neither building would overshadow the other. Steindl went blind before construction finished and never saw the completed building.
The style blends neo-Gothic with elements of Renaissance and Baroque, and the building used nearly 40 kilograms of gold in its decoration, along with 691 rooms and roughly 20 kilometres of corridors and staircases.
The Holy Crown
The Hungarian Crown Jewels, most notably the Holy Crown of Hungary (Szent Korona), traditionally associated with King Stephen I though the physical crown dates from later, are displayed under the central dome, guarded by a ceremonial honour guard. The crown has had an eventful modern history: it left Hungary at the end of the Second World War and spent decades in the custody of the United States before being returned in 1978.
Visiting
Interior visits are by guided tour only, and only cover a portion of the building since it remains a working seat of the National Assembly. Tours in English run throughout the day and typically last 45 to 50 minutes, covering the main staircase, one of the assembly chambers, and the Crown Jewels under the dome. Advance booking online is strongly recommended, particularly in summer, as tours sell out and security screening adds time before entry. EU citizens have received a discounted rate with valid ID, and non-EU visitors pay the standard price. Check the official ticketing site for current prices, languages and availability.
The Best Views
The classic photograph is from the Buda bank, particularly around the Batthyány tér area or from a Danube river cruise. The building is illuminated nightly, and the light hits differently through the seasons; winter’s early darkness means the illuminated Parliament is visible from late afternoon. Kossuth Lajos tér, the square in front of the building, has its own memorials and is worth a slow walk before or after a tour.
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