Opened in 2002, this one’s a baby among Budapest buildings, but its design nods to older architectural relatives.“One of the most beautiful legislatures in the world, a cathedral of democracy.” You don’t often hear that about a parliament building, but that’s how British politician-turned-broadcaster Michael Portillo described Budapest’s Parliament.
Parliament —
“One of the most beautiful legislatures in the world, a cathedral of democracy.” This sentiment, articulated by British politician-turned-broadcaster Michael Portillo, highlights the uniqueness of Budapest’s Parliament. Its grand architecture not only serves as a functional hub for governance but also as a monument to the city’s rich history.
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It took 50 years to build, and it contains the mummified hand of Hungary’s first king — not lost while helping with the construction.By royal decree, it’s smaller than Vienna’s opera house, but its ornate interior hits a few higher notes.One of the world largest synagogues, the Great Synagogue (as it’s also known) contains a memorial to the more than half a million Hungarian Jews murdered by the Nazis.A royal residence for 700 years, the complex still dominates the city skyline.
