The building of the Hungarian Parliament is the main attraction of Budapest

The building of the Hungarian Parliament, the photo of which is presented below, is a symbol and one of the main attractions not only of Budapest itself, but of the whole country. It is on the list of the largest government buildings on the planet. For all comers there are guided tours, in connection with which there are hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. In one of the halls are stored the main values of the country: the scepter, the crown and the mace of Saint Istvan, who is the most respected ruler, because he laid the foundation of the statehood of Hungary.

Prerequisites for construction

The state received the right to build its own parliament building in 1880. Since before it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, there was no similar construction in Budapest. In this regard, it was decided to build a new building of the Hungarian parliament from scratch. The authorities announced a competition, which involved 19 projects. His winner was the work of the then well-known architect of the Neogothic style, Imre Steindl. For the construction site was selected on the banks of the Danube, located between the Margate Bridge and the Chain Bridge. Construction work started in 1885.

Erection

The construction of the facility lasted almost twenty years. Several thousand workers from all over the country took part in its erection. Finally, the building of the Hungarian Parliament was completed in 1904. Nevertheless, the first meeting of the state government was held ten years before. Then there were celebrations on the occasion of the Millennium celebration from the day of the conquest of Hungary by the Magyars. For the construction of the palace, 40 million bricks and 40 kilograms of gold were used. Unfortunately, the architect Imre Steindl never saw his creation in its final form, because before that time he did not live, he died in 1902.

general description

The building of the Hungarian Parliament is executed in the Neo-Gothic style. According to the architect, his exterior was to emphasize the greatness of the country, which at that time was on the wave of constant economic growth. In turn, the location on the banks of the Danube symbolized the people's hopes for independence from Austria, as well as cultural and political freedom.

The palace was built in the form of a regular rectangle. Its dimensions in length and width, respectively, are 268 and 123 meters. The height of the main dome is 96 meters. It is believed that in this figure laid a certain symbolism, because in 896 the country was conquered by the Magyars. The facade is made of light stone. It has 88 sculptures of personalities, which played an important role in the history of the state. In addition, the facade is decorated with numerous columns, arches, cornices, towers and other architectural decorative elements.

Interior

The building of the Hungarian parliament inside looks no less impressive and majestic than the outside. Here visitors can see a large number of paintings, mosaic floors, elegant colored stained-glass windows, panels and frescoes on ceilings, beautiful lamps and much more. The building has 691 rooms. All rooms and halls are decorated with gold, expensive precious materials, valuable wood and velvet. On the floor are expensive carpets. Directly under the central dome is the so-called Main Hall, where meetings were held and important laws were adopted. He is adorned with sculptures depicting the history of the state, from the moment he was conquered by the Magyars. Inside there are ten yards. To get to the upper floors you can use 13 elevators and 29 stairs. In order to enter the building of the Hungarian Parliament, there are 27 gates. It should be noted that the side wings are symmetrical and have a similar interior. In one of them, government sessions are held and in the other, excursions for all comers.

Excursions

As mentioned above, the building is open to visitors. Excursions are paid and conducted by professional guides in eight languages. Their cost for adults is 4 thousand forints, and for children up to 6 years old admission is free. They pass almost every day, except for some public holidays. In this regard, it is recommended to clarify this point, before going on an excursion to the building of the Hungarian parliament.

Opening hours depend on the day of the week. For example, from Monday to Friday, the entrance is allowed from 8-00 to 18-00, and on Saturday and Sunday - from 8-00 to 16-00. In days of plenary sessions, you can go inside only until 10 am. For tourists from our country it is best to go here any day to 11-00, as this time is allocated for Russian-language excursions.

When you visit the building, you must adhere to the rules established by the security service. Every person who goes inside is carefully examined by security guards. It is recommended to take as few things as possible with you. Entry with any type of weapons, including gas cartridges, is prohibited. For the convenience of tourists in the building there are storage rooms and a wardrobe. One can not but note the fact that people with disabilities can also visit him. All that needs to be done in this case is simply to ask for help when buying a ticket at the box office. Visitors with poor eyesight are even allowed to enter the guide dog.