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Hungarian Parliament Building

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The Hungarian Parliament Building is a massive landmark located in Budapest. It sits on the Pest side of the city along the eastern bank of the Danube River. This building serves as the official seat of the National Assembly of Hungary. It is a major symbol of the nation's sovereignty and a famous destination for tourists. Since its completion, it has remained the largest building in Hungary.

Budapest Parliament Building
Budapest Parliament Building

The construction of this landmark followed a specific historical process. In 1873, the cities of Buda, Óbuda, and Pest united to form Budapest. Seven years later, the Diet—a legislative body—decided to build a new parliament. They wanted a structure that expressed the sovereignty of the nation. An international competition was held to find a design. The Hungarian architect Imre Steindl won the contest. His winning proposal used a neo-Gothic style. This style was heavily influenced by the Palace of Westminster in London. Hungarian politicians wanted to show their commitment to Western Europe. They viewed Britain as a political role model.

Building the structure required immense effort and many materials. Construction began in 1885. The building was inaugurated in 1896 to mark the presumed 1,000th anniversary of the country. However, the work was not fully finished until 1904. The scale of the project was enormous. Workers used 40 million bricks to complete the structure. They also used half a million precious stones and gold.

Divald országház 1905-27
Divald országház 1905-27

The architect, Imre Steindl, faced personal tragedy during this time. He went blind and died before the building was totally finished.

The architecture features a mix of distinct styles and symmetrical parts. The main body of the building uses the Gothic Revival style. This is seen in the symmetrical façade and detailed decorations. The central dome uses Renaissance Revival architecture. This creates a unique visual balance. The interior is also largely symmetrical. There are two identical halls on opposite sides of the building. One hall is used for the sessions of the National Assembly. The other hall is used for conferences, ceremonies, and guided tours.

Budapest Parliament Building
Budapest Parliament Building

Inside the building, the complexity of the design is very apparent. There are 691 rooms, which includes more than 200 offices. The layout includes 10 courtyards, 29 staircases, and 27 gates. There are also 13 passenger and freight elevators. The building features a hexadecagonal central hall. This means the hall has sixteen sides. This hall connects to two huge chambers called the Lower House and the Upper House. Today, the unicameral legislature meets in the Lower House. The Upper House serves as a meeting and conference room. Since the year 2000, the Holy Crown of Hungary has been displayed in the central hall.

Decoration and art play a major role in the building's appearance. There are 242 sculptures located on the walls inside and outside. These statues depict Hungarian rulers, Transylvanian leaders, and famous military figures. You can also see the coats of arms of kings and dukes over the windows. The eastern staircase is flanked by two lions. Visitors can see frescoes on the ceilings and a bust of Imre Steindl. The building also contains stained glass and glass mosaics created by Miksa Róth. The height of the building is an allusion to the nation's millennium in 1896.

History has left many marks on the building and its surroundings. During the period of the People's Republic of Hungary, a red star was placed on top of the dome. This star was removed in 1990 after the fall of communism. On 23 October 1989, Mátyás Szűrös declared the Hungarian Republic from the balcony facing Kossuth Lajos Square. The area around the building is also home to many memorials. There is a memorial to the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and the Kossuth Memorial. Nearby, Martyrs' Square contains a statue of Imre Nagy.

Budapest Parliament Building
Budapest Parliament Building

Today, the Parliament Building remains a central part of Hungarian life and tourism. It was one of the two tallest buildings in Budapest until the MOL Campus was built in 2021. Because of its massive surface and detailed handiwork, the building is almost always undergoing renovation. It is easy to reach via the Budapest Metro Line 2 or the city's tram system. The building continues to represent the history and the political identity of Hungary.

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File:Divald országház 1905-27.jpg
Divald országház 1905-27.jpg
File:Budapest Parliament Building .jpg
Budapest Parliament Building .jpg
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