Page 114 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Budapest

112  B ud AP e S t A re A B y A re A

1 Parliament
Országház

Hungary’s Parliament is the country’s
largest building and has become a symbol
of Budapest. A competition was held to
choose its design, the winner being Imre
Steindl’s rich Neo-Gothic masterpiece built
between 1885–1902. Based on the Houses
of Parliament in London, com pleted by Exterior
Charles Barry in 1835–6, it is 268 m The magnificent dome marks the central point
of the Parliament building. Although the façade
(880 ft) long and 96 m (315 ft) high, and is elaborately Neo-Gothic, the ground plan follows
comprises 691 rooms. Baroque conventions.

. Domed Hall
Adorning the massive pillars that
support Parliament’s central dome
are figures of some of the rulers
of Hungary.

. Deputy Council
Chamber
Formerly the lower house,
this hall is now where the
National Assembly
convenes. Two paintings
by Zsigmond Vajda hang on
either side of the Speaker’s
lectern. These were
especially commissioned
for the building.

Gables
Almost every corner of the Parliament
building features gables with pinnacles
based on Gothic sculptures.

Lobby
Lobbies, the venues for political discus sions,
are to be found along the corri dors beneath
stained-glass windows.

112-113_EW_Budapest.indd 112 05/09/2014 15:37