Hungarian Parliament Building and the Meaning of 96

by abs.admin · June 18, 2015

The Hungarian Parliament

The building of the Hungarian Parliament building took place in the late 19th century. To create a truly impressive edifice, the city set about organizing a professional tender, with the submission of numerous great designs. The top three were so good, resulting in the construction of three parliament buildings which still stand today. (Find out what the other two have become used for on the tour!) As the great Hungarian millennium celebrations grew closer, it became a race to finish.

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Parliament as seen from the Chain Bridge

Although Hungarian parliamentary sessions were held there in 1896, before the great millennium, the final construction was completed in 1903. The architect Imre Steindl was old and sick towards the end and died just a month before it was complete. His designs are very forward and includes elevators, electric clocks and lights. Remember that Frankenstein was only published in 1818, so electricity was still quite the new thing. Heating was provided via underground steam ducts from a furnace building across the street, still in existence today. Get our tour guide to point it out to you!

Visitors who pay for the tour can view the inside upper hall and lobby,

The grand staircase and the dome chamber hosts the crown jewels. The finished building is symmetrical. With a length of 270m, width of 123m and with the top of the dome standing at 96m high. This was purposefully by design, hinting at the conquest of Hungarian lands in 896. Also to be exactly the same height, but not higher, than the dome of St Stephen’s Basilica. The building of higher structures is not allowed.

Hungarian Parliament Info

Address: Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3, 1055 Budapest . Map ref: 47.504630, 19.050319

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Hungarian Parliament during the great flood of 2013

Opening hours: Visitors centre open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat-sun 8am-4pm. Tours are the same, with some exceptions for parliamentary business. Most visitors just view the steps and the eternal flame from the square area. The inside can only be seen via guided tour – Information and booking at the underground visitors centre.

Cost: EU adults 1000 HUF. Non-EU Adults: 5200 HUF

Best time to see it: Early in the morning, or at sunset.