Tourist information - Places of Interest - Houses of Parlament

Work on the Parlament started in 1885 and an average of a thousand people worked on it for 17 years. Its designer, Imre Steindl (1839-1902) was originally an apprentice stone-carver, but went on to study architecture in Vienna and Budapest. He was 44 when this work started.

By the time it was nearing completion he was already so ill that he could direct the work only from a chair carried to the spot. He died just a few weeks before the building was put into use. Parlament is 268 meters long and 118 meters wide. The spire reaches 96 meters above the ground. There are 691 rooms, and the length of all the stairs together is about 20 kilometers. The building's structure is readily apparent, especially if seen from the river. To the right and to the left of the central hall under the dome, the council chambers of what were formerly the Commons and the Upper House are situated. Renovations began as early as 1925 and are still not finished. There are guided tours of Parlament for an entrace fee, but only for groups and only when there is no plenary session. Visitors are allowed in through Gate XII, the first gate to the left from the main entrance with the lions. You have to book in advance through the Office of Guides, Tel.:+36 1 268-4000.