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Visiting the Parliament building in Budapest has been on my to do list for a long time. I had seen photos of the inside of the Hungarian Parliament building, which looked spectacular, and I wanted to see it for myself. A building that looks so magnificent on the outside is sure to look glorious inside right? I was not wrong.
I had a bit of a false start on my visit to the Parliament. The first time I went, I was informed that the tour for the day was only 30 minutes long instead of the regular 45 minutes, but the price was the exact same. I decided to go back another day.
I had no problem purchasing a ticket. I arrived about 15 minutes early and there was barely a line. A great thing about visiting in the winter. After a short waiting time, we were lead to the entrance of the building, just off to the side. There is a minor security search – a scan of your bag and coat and walking through a metal detector.- and you’re in!
Walking into the building, you step onto a lush, soft carpet. Following along are two guards meant to keep everyone together and in check. The building is built in the Gothic Revival style. Other examples of this style include the Parliament building in London – they look a bit similar don’t they?
Construction on the building started in 1885 and the building was inaugurated on the 1000th anniversary of the country in 1896. About one thousand people were involved in construction, during which 40 million bricks, half a million precious stones and 40 kilograms (88 lb) of gold were used. Inside the building there are 10 courtyards, 13 passenger and freight elevators, 27 gates, 29 staircases and 691 rooms.It reaches a height of 96 m (315 ft), making it one of the two tallest buildings in Budapest with the other being Saint Stephen’s Basilica.
As you start up the staircase, you can’t quite see what is ahead of you. All of a sudden, the ceiling disappears and you’re looking at the Grand Stairwell.
Surrounding you in all directions are elaborate gold decorations and beautiful stain glass. The definition of opulence and wealth. They spared no expense in putting together this room. Or if they did, it certainly didn’t look like it. This was my favorite room in the whole building. I could have stood there and just stared for a long while. It was beautiful!
The Grand Stairwell lead into the center of the building. Housed in the central hall, the dome in the middle of the building is the Holy Crown of Hungary.
Photo: CSvBibra
This is the coronation crown used to crown kings since the twelfth century. Our tour guide emphasized that the power to rule the country lays in this crown and if you weren’t crowned with it then you are not a legitimate king. Surrounding the dome are the statues of all the rulers of Hungary.
You’re lead through a series of chambers where journalists gather to interview politicians and to follow what is going inside the legislative chamber.
The final room you visit is the session hall of the upper house or where the National Assembly meets. I cannot image working in such an environment. I think I would spend more time staring at all the splendor than actually concentrating on what is being said.
The detail work is astounding. Look at that ceiling!
One of the unique features of the Parliament building is its cooling system which helps to maintains a constant temperature in the building during the hot summers. As you can imagine, heating or cooling a building of this size takes a lot of effort.
The designer had a system of grates built into the floor of the building which lead to another building. There they use blocks of ice to cool the building and hot water to warm the building.
At the end of the tour, you’re lead through a series of hallways before turning into a small doorway that leads to a small set of stairs. Our tour guide joked that we entered through the grandest of staircases, but leave through the tiniest and unassuming one.
One last look inside the grandeur
For even more beautiful images of the Parliament, check out Ken Kaminesky’s post where he was able to snag a private tour and photograph areas where the average visitor cannot.
Do you like visiting government buildings when you’re touring? What have been some of your favourites?
Hungarian Parliament Building
1055 Budapest, Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3
Website
Getting There: The closest Metro stop is Kossuth Lajos Tér which is on the Red metro line. However, the Parliament is easy walking distance from the Blue Metro from either Nyugati pályaudvar or Arany Janos utca. It is also walkable from the 4-6 tram running along the korut.
Good to Know
Currently, the Parliament area is under construction and you will need to purchase your ticket from the Museum of Ethnography which is right across the street. Don’t be intimidated by all the construction work. You can walk through it to where you need to go.
The tour was shorter the first day I went because Parliament was in session. That tour would have omitted that last room. It is hard to say when Parliament will be in session so if you’re visiting, try to go early in your trip incase you need to shuffle things around.
Be sure to read the notes regarding visiting the Parliament buildings. You don’t want to be breaking any rules.
When you purchase your ticket, the website, and the cashier note that you need ID. I had my passport with me but no one asked me for any kind of ID.
The entrance price is 3500 HUF for general admission. I felt like this was a bit steep. 3500 HUF can get you a very decent meal in Budapest and depending on your priorities, your money could be better spent elsewhere. Having said that, the inside is gorgeous and these photos don’t do it justice.
This post is part of Oh The Places I’ve Been at The Tablescaper.
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Thank you for the lovely photos of the inside of the Parliament building. When we were in Budapest for several days last July, we didn’t get to visit the interior.
Wow, it is so opulent and that Grand Stairwell is stunning! Very interesting facts too. The crown is quite impressive 🙂
In real life, the crown looks pretty incredible. It’s shocking to think that it has been around since 1000 CE!
WOW!! It’s like a cathedral. So beautiful!!
Very true! One of my favorite buildings.
We were in Budapest last spring but we didn’t visit the Parliament buildings. It looks really beautiful though, love your photos!
Budapest is such a fun city. Did you go to any of the ruin bars while you were there?
Thanks Lee! I didn’t go to many this time around (Just Szimpla), but I lived in Budapest for almost 2 years so I’ve spent my fair share of time in them 🙂
Oh, your pictures are wonderful! I visited in September last year and I didn’t have my DSLR on me, so I had to make do with crappy iPhone pictures. It is stunning though, but I didn’t care much for the guides. It’s my favourite building in the world, though, and I don’t take that lightly 🙂
Thanks Caitlyn! It’s such a beautiful building – one of my favorites too.
I always say that our parliament is the most beautiful one in the world, it is a shame that they let our politicians in:) Really nice post and pictures!!
Hahaha, so true. My BF sent me a post today about the Two Tail Dog Party. Politics is sure entertaining in Hungary. I really love the building though.
I didn’t make it inside parlament, but when I eventually go back to Hungary, I will definitely go in. Beautiful pictures, Adelina
Thanks Sammi! I hope you get a chance to go back and see the inside.
Budapest is just up the road and I’ve only been once – posts like these remind me that I need to return. Gorgeous building.
You definitely should go back soon!
What a wonderful place! Thanks for sharing all the photos and information.
It looks lovely – very picturesque 🙂
Wow, great post and awesome information. The building is beautiful, a wonderful place to take a tour. I love the windows, just beautiful. Great series of photos, thanks for sharing your visit. Enjoy your weekend!
Thanks Eileen! Happy travels 🙂
What a gorgeous building and I like that you were able to take pictures inside. I’ve only ever seen the building from the outside. You’ve got some beautiful pictures of the interior. I’d be walking around with my mouth open in awe.
Thanks Mary! I wish I had more time inside so I could just gawk at all the beauty. I felt a bit rushed with the tour. I just wanted to stare the whole time.
This is such a beautiful building. That Grand Stairwell is fantastic, and the stained glass is unexpected to me in a government building. Whoever figured out how to cool and heat this building through a central system in the pre-electricity age must have been quite clever. Thanks for the virtual tour.
Thanks Michele! It really is a beautiful place to see. And yes! That cooling system is very cool especially for the time period when they were installing it.
Beautiful pictures. You make me wish we had taken the time to go inside when we visited 13 years ago (might not have been an option then). Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Kirsten! It’s so much prettier in person. Maybe one day you’ll get a chance to go again.
Being of mostly Hungarian heritage, this just added to my desire to go. Thanks for the information.
How wonderful! You remembered me my last visit to this amazing Parliament which I consider on top of each traveler’s list. Missing Budapest!
Thanks Diana – A visit to the Parliament is definitely worth it if you love architecture and history.
Stunning Parliament building. The interiors are breathtaking as well, they used real gold to cover much of the walls… it’s really gold-plated.
It really is stunning. All the care and attention that went into putting it together is incredible.
Hi Adelina, thanks for sharing this article – I want to see the inside even more now I have seen your photos – The decor looks simply fantastic! I agree, If I worked there I wouldn’t be able to concentrate at all, I’de just want to explore the building and take photos!
Thanks for reading Paul 🙂 Hopefully you’ll get a chance in the future to go inside.