Kossuth Lajos tér
This square is situated in the Lipótváros neighbourhood of Budapest, District V, on the bank of the Danube. Its most notable landmark is the Hungarian Parliament Building (Hungarian: Országház). There is a station of the M2 (East-West) line of the Budapest Metro on the square. The square, renamed in 1927 in honor of Lajos Kossuth, has been known by several names including; Országház tér ("Parliament Square") (1898–1927), Tömő tér or Stadt Schopper Platz in German ("Landfill Square") (1853–1898). In the second half of the 19th century, great public buildings were erected on the square and it became the symbolic centre of the Hungarian state. The Hungarian Parliament Building is located on the square. Facing the Parliament, the Museum of Ethnography (originally the Palace of Justice) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development can be found. In front of the Parliament building are the Kossuth Memorial and an equestrian statue of Francis II Rákóczi, as well as a memorial for the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. A modern statue of Attila József is nearby, south of the Parliament, sitting on the bank of the river (actually he is sitting on a grassy mound quite far from the water) as described in his poem By the Danube. There is also a monument for Imre Nagy located on the square
Smúz Café & Bar Budapest
Specialty coffee and all-day brunch café opposite the Hungarian Parliament. The terrace offers direct views of one of Budapest's most iconic landmarks. Serves brunch, SmúzLab functional drinks, salads, sandwiches, Hungarian gulyás soup and cocktails. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.
Mon–Fri 10:00–21:00; Sat Sun 10:00–22:00·€5–20
Országház
The Hungarian National Parliament building is the largest in Europe, designed by architect Imre Steindl for the 1896 millennial celebrations, and built 1880-1902. It is based on England's Parliament building, and supposedly is one meter wider and longer than that building, just a little bit of architectural conceit. The building is so immense, the weak alluvial soil along the Danube had to be reinforced with a 2-m (7-foot) deep concrete foundation. Not surprising, as the building is 270 m long and 125 m wide, with 691 rooms and 20 km (12.5 miles) of corridors. The lacy white neo-Gothic froth covering the building is actually educational: 88 statues representing Hungarian rulers, princes and military commanders. These statues are small and cannot be readily distinguished from the ground, but they are there.
On specific times during the day, and you have to get your ticket in advance for a timed slot. Tickets are sold out by about 11:00. At the visistor centre you can only buy tickets for the same day, but you can purchase tickets online in advance·For EU citizens: Ft2200, non-EU: Ft5200 adults, free for children under 6 years
Néprajzi Múzeum
Sometimes said to resemble the Reichstag (parliament) building in Berlin, the white neo-Renaissance façade complements the neo-Gothic Parliament building just across the square. Do not miss the richly decorated interior, including the ceiling frescoes by Károly Lotz (who also frescoed the State Opera's ceiling). The building was used to house the Supreme Court and chief public prosecutor's office, explaining some of the motifs used in the frescoes.
Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00·Normal fee:€3.4, with temporary exhibitions: €5, discounted:half price both