{"id":6837,"date":"2020-11-30T14:44:19","date_gmt":"2020-11-30T14:44:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/budapest-opera-house\/"},"modified":"2024-04-26T09:09:59","modified_gmt":"2024-04-26T09:09:59","slug":"budapest-opera-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/en\/budapest-opera-house\/","title":{"rendered":"The Budapest Opera House"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Famous for its grandiose neo-renaissance architecture and extraordinary acoustics, the Budapest Opera House (officially called the Hungarian State Opera House) is definitely worth a visit! <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the guide!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u26a0\ufe0f Please note:<\/strong> Visiting the Opera House requires a guided tour (available in several languages). Space is limited, so it’s advisable to book your tour in advance<\/strong> to secure your spot: Budapest Opera House Tour<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udca1 The Captain\u2019s tip<\/strong> \ud83d\udca1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83e\uddd0 Want to know more about the history of Budapest?<\/strong> Captain Ulysses highly recommends this free guided tour of the city<\/a><\/mark>. It\u2019s up to you to choose how much you wish to tip the tour guide!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udca4 Are you looking for a hotel in Budapest?<\/strong> Be sure to check out the Captain’s article: Where to stay in Budapest? Advice & recommendations<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfdb Planning your trip to Budapest?<\/strong> Take a look the Captain’s detailed article on the best things to do: A Guide to Budapest<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc76 Planning a family adventure to Budapest?<\/strong> Discover all of the Captain\u2019s top tips in the article: Exploring Budapest with the Kids: Family-Friendly Activities<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Brief history of the Budapest Opera House<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 19 th<\/sup> century, the city of Budapest – founded in 1873 following the unification of the municipalities of Pest, Buda and \u00d3buda – is more dynamic than ever and emerging on the international cultural scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in those days, the Hungarian capital only had one theater, the National Theater, which struggled to accommodate both theatrical performances and operas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the request of the Prime Minister, the director of the National Theater therefore proposed to build a brand new opera house. In 1873, the very year when Budapest was founded, the project was approved by the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph I st<\/sup> \u2026 On the sole condition that the Budapest Opera House would not overshadow that of Vienna!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

he project was entrusted to Hungarian architect Mikl\u00f3s Ybl (also known for contributing to the construction of St. Stephen\u2019s Basilica). But the city of Budapest also had conditions: only Hungarian craftsmen were to participate in the construction of the opera house, and the materials used for the construction were to come exclusively from Hungary. Mikl\u00f3s Ybl fulfilled the contract (with a few exceptions) and called on a host of famous Hungarian artists: Bertalan Sz\u00e9kely, M\u00f3r Than, Alajos Strobl, K\u00e1roly Lotz\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction works lasted 9 years and the Hungarian Opera House was inaugurated on September 27, 1884.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Visiting the Budapest Opera House<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Short description of the Budapest Opera House<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The least we can say is that the Budapest Opera House is quite spectacular! The building – which blends neo-renaissance and baroque influences – is as grandiose on the outside as it is on the inside!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The facade of the Budapest Opera House<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The facade of the Opera House<\/strong> is adorned with statues of famous composers (Mozart, Beethoven or Verdi). The entrance is flanked by two statues representing Hungarian virtuoso Franz Liszt, as well as Ferenc Erkel, first director of the Opera House and composer of the national anthem of Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside the Opera House<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The interior of the Budapest Opera House displays an impressing collection of gilding, sculptures, frescoes and sumptuous decorative elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The foyer of the Opera<\/strong> – which is covered with marble and gilding – is undoubtedly reminiscent of Italian Renaissance palaces. The Doric marble columns add a touch of ancient classicism. The ceiling is decorated with representations of the 9 muses of the Greek mythology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With its red carpet and marble columns, the grand staircase<\/strong> – entirely made of marble – is quite simply magnificent. The ceiling is covered with works by Hungarian painter M\u00f3r Than.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The auditorium<\/strong>, the layout of which follows the shape of a horseshoe, is equally majestic. Organized over three floors, it can accommodate up to 1,261 spectators. The impressive ceiling fresco is the work of K\u00e1roly Lotz. The huge bronze candlestick was made in Mainz, Germany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The royal staircase<\/strong> is also richly decorated and is definitely worth a peek. Legend has it that Princess Sissi loved the (slimming) mirror that hangs in the staircase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Performances and concerts at the Budapest Opera House<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From September to June, performances (opera or ballet) are given almost every day of the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tickets (which are very affordable) can be purchased online on the opera website<\/a> or on site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83c\udfa9 Proper attire required \ud83c\udfa9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Please note, formal attire is required during performances. If you plan to attend an opera or a ballet, remember to bring adequate clothing!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Budapest Opera House Guided Tour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Admission rates are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full price<\/strong><\/td>2,500 forints<\/td><\/tr>
Children under 6<\/strong><\/td>Free of charge<\/td><\/tr>
Children under 14<\/strong><\/td>1250 forints<\/td><\/tr>
Students and visitors over 65<\/strong><\/td>2000 forints<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Guided tours give visitors the opportunity to explore the interior of the Budapest Opera House and learn about its long history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tours are available in several languages and end with a small representation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can book your tickets online or on site, up to 20 minutes before the start of the visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 More info: guided tour of the Opera House<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Powered by GetYourGuide<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Access<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting to the Budapest Opera House<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To get to the Budapest Opera House, head to the Ter\u00e9zv\u00e1ros district (on the Pest side), a short distance from St Stephen’s Basilica and the Great Synagogue of Budapest.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The nearest public transports are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n