I studied, worked and lived in Budapest (capital city of Hungary) for years. I have written a review about Budapest recently. As I don't like the crowd I didn't mentioned the Parliament among my favourite places, but I admire this wonderful building. It is beautiful from Buda, from a ship on the Danube, from Kossuth Square, in the daylight and in the evening as well. If you have time, go and visit it.

¤¤¤ Historical Background ¤¤¤

The Hungarian nation did not have a House of Parliament until the end of the 19th century. The tender for the Plan of the House of Parliament was announced in 1882. The best plan was made by Imre Steindl, professor of the Technical University. The construction of the Parliament began in 1885 and lasted for seventeen years. On average about 1 thousand people worked on it day by day. They used wherever it was possible Hungarian raw materials for the building, so this mega project flourished several industries.

¤¤¤ Location ¤¤¤

The House of Parliament stands opposite the Royal Palace, on the Pest side of the Danube. The place is called Kossuth Ter (Kossuth Square). If you would like to visit the Parliament, you should take the red metro line to the Kossuth Ter station or walk along the Danube on Pest side, you cannot fail it.

¤¤¤ The building ¤¤¤

The House of Parliament is 268 metres long, 123 metres wide (in the middle) and 96 metres high at the dome. The building is ornamented with white neo-gothic turrets and arches. The outer walls are decorated with 90 statues of Hungarian monarchs and military commanders. The interior walls are decorated with 152 statues, about 40 kilograms of 22-23 carat gold and local flower motives. There are 27 gates, 29 staircases, 13 elevators, a planetary, conference and session rooms, 200 offices and a library with a huge reading room in the building. This huge building occupies 18,000 square metres.

¤¤¤ Guided tours ¤¤¤

First of all you have to buy ticket at the gate nr. 10, then go to the gate nr. 12 where the guided tour begins. EU citizens can visit the building for free, but have to show some document proving their nationality. The ticket for non EU citizens costs 2950 HUF for adults and 1480 HUF for the students. They accept cash or credit cards. The tour takes about 50 minutes, you can use camera and camcorder, but due to the strict schedule there is no possibility for using the toilets.

Tours guided in English start at 10 a.m., 12 a.m. and 2 p.m. For other languages and other details visit: http://www.parlament.hu/angol/eng/tajekoztato.htm

For details about the House of Parliament visit: http://www.parlament.hu/angol/eng/leiras.htm or
http://www.budapest-parliament.com/

¤¤¤ Sum up ¤¤¤

If you have a free hour or rather two during the day I highly recommend you visiting the Hungarian Parliament. You will go through the Main Staircase into the Dome Hall, you can take a look at the Coronation paraphernalia, you can visit the northern and southern parlours and the upper or lower chamber's conference room. It is a unique and unforgettable experience you should not skip. You have to be prepared that you won't be alone wanting to visit the building... Whenever you go there will be a lot of tourists.
Summary: If you have a free hour (rather 2) in Budapest, don't skip visiting the Parliament.