Hungarian Parliament Building
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The Hungarian Parliament Building (Országház in Hungarian) is a stunning neo-Gothic building on the banks of the Danube, and one of the easiest landmarks to spot in Budapest. Built between 1885 and 1904, the building is the meeting place of the National Assembly and also houses the Holy Crown of Hungary. Guided tours are available daily, and it’s best to book in advance to make sure you get a spot on a tour in your preferred language.
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Guided Tours
Budapest: Grand City Tour with Parliament Visit
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(1119)getyourguide.com
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Budapest Grand City Tour with Parliament Visit
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(137)viator.com
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6 tips for visiting the Hungarian Parliament Building
Hungarian Parliament at night | Flickr: Naval S CC BY 2.0
1
Beauty on the inside and outsideThe interior of the Hungarian Parliament is extremely impressive, but don’t skip the exterior! Make sure to walk around all sides to appreciate the Gothic Revival architecture and to enjoy views across the Danube. It’s also extremely attractive when lit up at night, and you can get great views from the Fisherman’s Bastion on Buda Castle Hill.
Hungarian Parliament | Flickr: Joe Hunt CC BY 2.0
2
Take lots of photos!Photography and filming are allowed throughout the tour except in the Dome Hall. Please don’t take photographs or film the Holy Crown and the other crown jewels.
3
Safety firstThe Hungarian Parliament Building is actively used throughout the year, and security is tight. Don’t bring large bags or luggage, since storing them in the cloakroom may be difficult, and take care with any sharp objects you might have in your bags.
4
Danube & ArchitectureYou can get another great view of the Hungarian Parliament Building from the water! Several tour operators offer combined tours of Parliament and a river cruise on the Danube.
5
Mind your businessBathroom facilities are only available inside the Visitor Center, so take advantage of them before your tour begins.
6
One bottle of water onlyYou can bring up to 16oz (500ml) of clear non-alcoholic drinks into the building, but all other drinks and liquids will have to be left at the cloakroom at the Visitor Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Országház?
Országház is a Hungarian word meaning ‘House of the Country’, and it’s used to describe the building that houses the Hungarian National Assembly. The impressive building on the bank of the Danube was designed by Imre Steindl and opened in 1902. It originally housed the Diet of Hungary, which was the primary legislature in Hungary, even under Habsburg rule, and from 1867 it had an upper and lower house. Under Communism, the parliament was a one-party system under the Hungarian Socialist Workers’ Party between 1949 and 1989. During this time the parliament was reduced to a single chamber, and since the reinstitution of democracy in 1989, the National Assembly still only has a single chamber of 199 representatives. As a result, the current parliament uses far less of the building that originally intended, with the Upper House used as a meeting room. Read more.
What will I see on a visit to the Hungarian Parliament Building?
Tours take between 45 and 50 minutes and begin by leaving the underground Visitor Center and climbing the city-side staircase. You’ll then get to visit the old Upper House and admire its painted crests, gold-leaf decorations, and impressive oak seats, before exploring the Lounge of the Chamber of Peers. You’ll then visit the Dome Hall where you’ll see the Holy Crown of Hungary, part of the Hungarian Crown Jewels and featured on the nation’s crest. The hall itself is also extremely impressive, with a stunning vaulted ceiling featuring stained-glass windows reaching 88 feet ( 27m) above the floor. The tour finishes by the Grand Stairway to the main entrance hall. Read more.
Is the Holy Crown of Hungary real?
Yes! The crown, which is also known as the Crown of St Stephen, is one of the oldest surviving coronation crowns. Parts of the crown date back to Byzantine Constantinople, with the enamels thought to have been made in the 1070s. According to tradition, the crown was first used at the coronation of King Stephen I in 1000 or 1001 CE, but analysis of the materials and construction makes it more likely that the crown was created under King Béla III, who ruled from 1172 to 1196. The crown was last used in a coronation in 1916 when it was used to crown Emperor Karl I of Austria-Hungary. The crown has been stolen or lost and then recovered several times in its long history. After the end of the Second World War, the crown was discovered in Austria by the U.S. 86th Infantry Division and was taken to Fort Knox where it was held to protect it from the Soviet Union. It was eventually returned to Hungary by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. The Holy Crown is accompanied by other pieces of coronation regalia, including a sword, a scepter, and a Globus Cruciger, also known as an orb and cross. Read more.
Is the Parliament Building accessible to visitors with disabilities?
The building is accessible, but visitors using wheelchairs are asked to contact idegenforgalom@parlament.hu before their visit to ensure that their needs can be met. Guide dogs are permitted inside the building. Blind and partially-sighted visitors are welcome to join the regular tours. Unfortunately, there are no official sign language tours available currently. Read more.
General information
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address
Kossuth tér 1-3.
H-1055 Budapest
website
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