A Brief History Of The Hungarian Parliament Building

Standing on the banks of the Danube, in Budapest’s Pest district, Hungary’s Parliament Building has been witness to some of the country’s most pivotal moments over the last 200 years. We explore its rich history.
A contest was held during the 1880s to find an architect for a new Hungarian Parliament Building which would represent the nation’s sovereignty. Drawing inspiration from London’s Houses of Parliament, the winner was Hungarian architect Imre Steindl who designed the grand, neo-Gothic building which stands today.

Work began in 1885; the building’s inauguration was held in 1896 (the 1000th anniversary of Hungary) and the Parliament Building was finished in 1902, when the first sessions took place. The construction of the Parliament Building took 17 years and sadly Imre Steindl went blind before his grand design was completed and died in 1902.

Standing at 268m (879ft) long, 123m (75.4ft) wide and 96m (314.9ft) tall, the Hungarian Parliament is the country’s largest building, Budapest’s tallest, and the third largest parliament building in the world. Inside its grand walls there are 691 rooms, 10 courtyards and 12.5 miles worth of stairs. Architecturally, the building is in the Gothic Revival style with a Renaissance Revival style dome. Located in central Budapest, guided tours allow visitors to explore the Main Staircase, the Old Upper House Hall and the Lounge, as well as see the coronation jewels.

The Hungarian Parliament Building has stood through two World Wars, a number of uprisings and revolutions, and a shifting urban landscape. Overlooking Kossuth Lajos Ter, named after the Hungarian lawyer and regent-president of the country during the 1848 – 49 revolution, the building was witness to the tragic events of 1956 when, during an uprising on October 25, against the ruling Communist regime, protestors gathered in front of the Parliament. While little is known about the circumstances, shots were fired resulting in the deaths of many. A memorial to this event stands in the square today.

Air pollution and the extensive level of detailing on the exterior of the building mean it is regularly under repair. Today, it’s surrounded by cafés and restaurants and is one of the city’s most notable buildings.

Hungarian Parliament Building, Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3, Budapest, Hungary +36-1 441-4415

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.