Hungarian Parliament Building (Országház)

The Hungarian Parliament Building (Országház), located on the Pest side of the Danube River in Budapest, is the center of Hungary’s political life and one of Europe’s most significant architectural landmarks.

History and Construction Process

Construction of the Hungarian Parliament Building (Országház) began in 1885. The building process lasted exactly 17 years and was completed and opened for use in 1902. The late 19th century was a period during which Hungary strengthened its autonomy within Austria-Hungary Empire, achieving major advances in industry and trade. Budapest rapidly came to be regarded as one of Europe’s modern cities; Heroes’ Square, Andrássy Avenue, Nyugati Railway Station and the bridges over the Danube are examples of this era’s urban development.^【1】 

The building’s architect, Imre Steindl, was one of the leading Hungarian architects of the time and adopted the NeoGothic (Neogothic) style in his design. However, Steindl did not merely imitate Gothic influences; he blended Gothic elements with symbols unique to Hungarian art to create an architectural language that emphasized national identity. While the building’s plan was inspired by the Palace of Westminster in England, it was reinterpreted with elements specific to Central Europe’s history and landscape.

The use of local materials was a fundamental principle in the construction of the Parliament Building. Nearly all building materials—including stone, brick, iron and wood—were sourced from Hungarian soil. Similarly, the craftsmen, artisans and artists involved in the construction were Hungarian laborers from all corners of the country.

The interior spaces were decorated according to the artistic sensibilities of the era. Vegetal motifs inspired by the flora of the Carpathian Basin adorn ceilings and walls, while stained glass windows depict Hungarian history and monarchs. Approximately 40 kilograms of pure 22–23 carat gold were used in the interior decoration, and stone and wood carvings were meticulously executed.^【2】 

Architectural Features

The Hungarian Parliament (Országház) is a structure measuring 123 meters in width, 271 meters in length and 96 meters in height. The central dome, standing at 96 meters, symbolizes the year 896, the founding year of the Kingdom of Hungary.

The overall plan of the Parliament follows the symmetrical and orderly composition of Baroque architecture, while the façade decorations are dominated by Gothic elements: vertical lines, slender spires and pointed arches. Renaissance art takes center stage in the ceiling decorations of the interior spaces. The main façade facing the river is a masterpiece of stonework, featuring statues, reliefs and arched windows.

Along the façade, 90 stone statues represent important figures of The history of Hungary, such as kings, princes, commanders, statesmen and wise personalities. An additional 152 statues are located elsewhere on the building. These are allegorical figures reflecting the labor, faith and heroism of the Hungarian people. Some symbolize concepts such as freedom, justice and courage, while others represent social values such as agriculture, craftsmanship, art and science. The stone used on the exterior façade is white limestone quarried from the Carpathian Basin. The pointed spires, buttresses, carved arches and stained glass windows characteristic of the Gothic style impart both vertical movement and rhythm to the structure. Above the main entrance stands the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Hungary.^【3】 

Architectural Symbolism and Layout

The building’s layout reflects the symmetry of Hungary’s bicameral legislative system (the Lower House and the Upper House). The two parliamentary chambers are positioned on either side of the central Dome Hall. Both chambers are nearly identical in size, form and decoration.

The Dome Hall, located in the central section, is the architectural heart of the building. It is designed with a dome rising upward. The Dome Hall is also the location where the Crown of the Kingdom of Hungary is displayed. This hall hosts important state ceremonies, national holiday celebrations and receptions for foreign heads of state.

Dimensions and Structural Engineering

Beyond its exterior appearance, the Hungarian Parliament features an innovative structural system from an engineering perspective. The building consists of a four-story massing and is constructed on a base area of approximately 18,000 square meters. Its total volume is 473,000 cubic meters—enough to fill 50 five-story apartment buildings.

Approximately 40 million bricks were used in the construction. The exterior façade contains 30,000 cubic meters of carved stone, each piece individually shaped and decorated with ornaments and figures. Each stone block was placed according to a principle of symmetry, ensuring harmony and rhythm throughout the entire structure.

The building has a total of 29 entrances, 14 elevators, 10 light wells and hundreds of offices, meeting rooms and committee chambers. These spaces are interconnected by a corridor system. The total length of the corridors reaches several kilometers, making it one of the earliest examples of comprehensive interior wayfinding design. The red carpets used in the interior spaces were carefully planned for both navigation and cohesion. Their total length is approximately 3 kilometers. Advanced technologies of the era were employed for interior lighting; the system, initially based on gas lamps, was adapted for electricity at the beginning of the 20th century.^【4】 

Interior Spaces and Artworks

Tours for visitors typically begin in the City Staircase XVII (Városi lépcső XVII). This staircase is adorned with gold-leaf decorations, column capitals, stained glass windows and wall frescoes. Each surface is embellished with patterns reflecting the artistic sensibilities of the era.

This section leads to the Grand Staircase (Díszlépcsőház). This monumental staircase consists of 96 steps, referencing the year 896—the founding year of the Hungarian nation—mirroring the building’s height. The entire floor is covered in red carpets. The columns on either side of the staircase embody Gothic forms, while the ceiling frescoes signed by Károly Lotz form the artistic core of the building.^【5】 

The stained glass windows surrounding the Grand Staircase were created by the artist Miksa Róth. Róth was a pioneer of European stained glass art, and the color palette he used, when illuminated by sunlight, infuses the interior spaces with atmosphere. As the light filters through the stained glass at different times of day, the tones of the halls change accordingly.

The Dome Hall (Kupolacsarnok) features a design with a 27-meter-high vault supported by sixteen ribs. Around the dome, statues of Hungarian kings are arranged; these figures represent the 16 monarchs who shaped the nation’s history. Above each statue are golden canopies.

The Dome Hall is also the location where national symbols—the Holy Crown of Hungary (Szent Korona), the Coronation Cross and the Royal Sword—are displayed. These sacred relics have been protected since 2000 by the Royal Guards of the Hungarian Armed Forces.

The next stop on the tour is the Hall of the Upper House (Főrendházi társalgó). Its decorations feature pirogranite statues and column claddings specially produced by the Zsolnay Porcelain Factory. The handwoven carpet covering the floor of this hall is known as one of the largest in Europe.

Another space is the Hall of the Upper House (Főrendiház), currently used for conferences and ceremonies. This room is lined with Slavonic oak panels, adorned with gold-gilded carvings. The seating arrangement is designed in the shape of a horseshoe. Its acoustics were engineered using the computational methods of the era.

In addition, wall paintings depicting Hungarian royal coats of arms, noble family emblems and historical scenes continue the narrative of the nation’s history.

Renovation and Kossuth Square

In 2011, the Hungarian National Assembly made a significant decision to renovate Kossuth Square, the area where the Parliament Building stands. This decision aimed to redefine the historical, cultural and aesthetic values of a space that had become a symbol of national identity. The project was carried out under the name of the Steindl Imre Program (SIP), with works completed between 2012 and 2014.^【6】 

As part of this initiative, traffic congestion in the square was first reduced and vehicle access was minimized. Relocating tram lines and completely renewing the infrastructure transformed the square into a more orderly and environmentally friendly space. Additionally, extensive green areas were created, replacing concrete surfaces with a landscape design integrated with nature.

During the renovation, statues honoring important figures of Hungarian history were carefully restored. The statues of Count Gyula Andrássy, Count István Tisza and Lajos Kossuth were preserved in their original forms and reinstalled in their original positions. The equestrian statue of II. Rákóczi Ferenc also underwent restoration and was returned to its place in the square. Furthermore, the National Memorial of the Fallen, dedicated to the nation’s struggle for freedom, was rebuilt. Finally, as part of the renewal, a 33-meter-high flagpole was erected at the center of the square, along with a reflecting pool surrounding it.^【7】 

Visitation and Tourist Experience

Visits are generally conducted through guided tours. Tours are offered in Hungarian, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. In addition, audio guide systems are available in many other languages, including Turkish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Japanese and Korean. Visitors listen to narrations through headphones as they follow the route inside the building, gaining historical knowledge and understanding the building’s symbolic meanings.

Tours typically begin on the ground floor of the Parliament and extend to the Dome Hall. Guides provide information on the building’s construction process, architectural style, historical phases of Hungarian politics and the significance of the Holy Crown. The most important part of these tours is the Dome Hall, where the Holy Crown and the Coronation Cross—the symbols of Hungary—are exhibited. However, photography is strictly prohibited in this section due to both security concerns and the sacred nature of the objects, which are under special protection. Photography is permitted in other parts of the Parliament, such as the Grand Staircase, the Hall of the Upper House or exhibition halls. Flash photography is not recommended, however, as sensitive surfaces such as frescoes and stained glass are light-sensitive.

Visits are conducted under strict security measures. All visitors undergo airport-style security screening at the entrance. Large bags are not permitted inside and must be left at security checkpoints upon entry.

The Parliament is designed to accommodate visitors of all ages and profiles and serves as a model for accessibility. Thanks to entrance ramps, elevators and wide corridors, wheelchair users enjoy a comfortable experience. Additionally, some sections of guided tours are offered with subtitles or text support for visitors with hearing impairments.

Opening hours vary seasonally. Tours typically begin around 08:00 and run until 18:00 in summer months and until 16:00 in winter months. Visitation schedules may be temporarily altered during official holidays, state ceremonies or special events. Therefore, tourists are advised to make online reservations before visiting.^【8】