The Hungarian Parliament

The Parliament, in Budapest

The Parliament of Budapest is one of the most emblematic monuments of the city, a monumental building of neo-Gothic style erected at the edge of the Danube. The Budapest audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this symbol of the Hungarian nation, built between 1884 and 1902, inspired by the palace of Westminster, that embodies the recovered autonomy of Hungary within the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The monumental symbol of the nation

From the Fisherman's Bastion, you benefit from a royal view over one of the most emblematic monuments of the city: the Parliament of Budapest. Buildings as long and majestic, set at the edge of the Danube, there are not two. And the more you approach it, the more a word imposes itself: monumental. Built between 1884 and 1902, in full Austro-Hungarian era, it embodies all the power of the Hungarian nation. At that time, Hungary had just recovered a large autonomy within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, thanks to the Compromise of 1867; the construction of a parliament in Budapest then became a strong symbol of this recovered independence. You may wonder why the building resembles so much the palace of Westminster, in London? It is not by chance: to affirm its rank, Hungary chose to draw inspiration from the British model, a reference in matter of parliamentary democracy. The neo-Gothic style, for its part, refers to a prestigious past and gives the building a dimension at once solemn and fairytale-like. With its two hundred and sixty-eight metres long, its innumerable pinnacles, its immense central dome culminating at ninety-six metres, and its hundreds of richly decorated halls, the Parliament is one of the largest of the world. It also shelters the jewels of the Hungarian crown. Reflected in the Danube, it offers one of the finest spectacles of the capital, especially illuminated at night. A neo-Gothic building and a national pride, the Parliament is a fine stop of the discovery of Budapest.

What to see

Here you admire one of the most emblematic monuments of Budapest, an immense neo-Gothic building of two hundred and sixty-eight metres at the edge of the Danube, built between 1884 and 1902 and inspired by Westminster; symbol of the Hungarian autonomy recovered in 1867, its dome of ninety-six metres and its hundreds of decorated halls shelter the jewels of the crown. The Parliament is the pride of Budapest. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Parliament stands at the edge of the Danube, in the district of Pest, in Budapest, reachable on foot or by metro. You admire its façade from the quays or from Buda; the interior is visited only on a guided tour, paying, according to the hours in force, which vary. It is best to enquire in advance. It is particularly beautiful illuminated at night.

Why does the Parliament of Budapest resemble that of London?

Because, to affirm its rank after having recovered its autonomy within the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1867, Hungary drew inspiration from the British model, a reference of parliamentary democracy, and from the neo-Gothic style of Westminster; built between 1884 and 1902 at the edge of the Danube, two hundred and sixty-eight metres long, it is one of the largest parliaments of the world and a national symbol.

Where is the Parliament in Budapest?

At the edge of the Danube, in the district of Pest, in Budapest, in Hungary.