HUNGARIAN NATIONAL OPERA

An integral part of Budapest's urban development at the end of the ^19th century, and of the Andrássy Street route, this neo-Renaissance palace designed by Miklós Ybl was inaugurated in 1884 after nine years of construction. It was inaugurated with great pomp, in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Sissi. In fact, the emperor generously donated half of the money, on condition that the proportions of the Budapest edifice did not exceed those of the Vienna Opera! In addition to several statues (including two sphinxes framing the façade), a three-arched portico serves as the entrance and is surmounted by the muses of the dramatic arts. Inside, the red-carpeted grand staircase in grey Croatian marble is flanked by Carrara marble columns. On the upper floor, communicating with the royal box, the red salon was used by the imperial couple. Mór Than's delicate paintings depict (from left to right) Amour et Psyché, Pâris tending the golden apple to Aphrodite and Les Trois Grâces. Once an important place for socializing, the foyer now serves as a bar during intermissions. The wood-panelled, horseshoe-shaped auditorium is partly gilded with gold leaf. The acoustics are remarkable. Look up and marvel at the ceiling frescoes: Károly Lotz's Apotheosis of Music encircles a 3-t bronze chandelier. The institution finally reopened in 2022 after several years of closure for renovation.