Hungarian Parliament Building — Országház

Welcome to the heart of Hungarian democracy. You are standing in Kossuth Lajos Square, facing the Országház, or the House of the Nation. It is impossible to miss—this is the largest building in Hungary and a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage site that arguably stands as the city's most beautiful landmark. Before we dive into the details, take a look at those red-tiled roofs, the forest of three hundred and sixty-five spires—one for every day of the year—and the grand central dome piercing the skyline. This masterpiece wasn’t just built to house a government; it was built to define a nation's identity at the turn of the twentieth century in a period of unprecedented economic boom. As you walk toward the Visitor Centre at Gate twelve on the northern side of the square, notice how the building stretches along the Danube River for two hundred and sixty-eight meters. It took seventeen years and the labor of over a thousand craftsmen to complete this vision. Today, we are going to explore the drama of its construction, the secrets hidden in its hallways, and the sacred treasures guarded within its walls.