Hungary’s Parliament

Orszaghaz, or Hungary’s Parliament, sits along the Danube; its architecture is neo-Gothic. This is the second time I have seen the exterior, and I can say that it has undergone quite a cleaning. Sadly, the first time the Budman and I were in Budapest, we were unable to tour the interior as parliament was in session.





Its interiors are quite ornate, with gilded gold leaf everywhere (they told me how much, but I can’t remember. Bottom line: it’s a lot), gargantuan cathedral ceilings, frescoed walls, intricate stained glass windows, and majestic stairways (12 miles of them in the building.







Highlight of the tour was seeing the nation’s Holy Crown made for Hungary’s first king, St. Stephen, in the year 1000. Today, the jewelled crown rests on a velvet pillow, along with the orb, sceptre, and sword. No photos were allowed.

Here is the most fabulous staircase of them all.





Parliament chamber, where the business of the nation is conducted. Hungary has only one house in its Parliament.