Budapest 2025

"AmaReina," Bratislava & Passau - 2025

The Hungarian State Opera House "Magyar Alami Operahaz" is a historic opera house located in central Budapest, on Andrassy Avenue. Known as the Hungarian Royal Opera House, Construction began in 1875, funded by the city of Budapest and by Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary, and the new house opened to the public on the 27 September 1884. Many important artists were guests here including the composer Gustav Mahler, who was director in Budapest from 1888 to 1891 and Otto Klemperer, who was music director for three years from 1947 to 1950.

In the 1970s the state of the building prompted the Hungarian State to order a major renovation which eventually began in 1980 and lasted till 1984. The reopening was held exactly 100 years after the original opening, on the 27 September 1984. It is a richly decorated building and is considered one of the architect's masterpieces. It was built in neo-Renaissance style, with elements of Baroque. Although in size and capacity it is not among the greatest, in beauty and the quality of acoustics the Budapest Opera House is considered to be amongst the finest opera houses in the world. The auditorium is horseshoe-shaped and - according to measurements done in the 1970s - has the third best acoustics in Europe after La Scala in Milan and the Palais Garnier in Paris. Although many opera houses have been built since, the Budapest Opera House is still among the best in terms of the acoustics. In front of the building are statues of Ferenc Erkel and Franz Liszt. Liszt is the best known Hungarian composer. Erkel composed the Hungarian national anthem, and was the first music director of the Opera House; he was also founder of the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra. Each year the season lasts from September to the end of June and, in addition to opera performances, the House is home to the Hungarian National Ballet.

+ + + B U D A P E S T + + + Buda + + + + + + + + + + ++ + + + + + + + + + Pest
Hilly - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Flat
Hiking, biking, garden parties - - - - - - - Cultural
Neighbors are closely tied - - - - - - - - - -Theaters, movies, opera, museums, cafes, restaurants, ruin bars
Higher-richer/shower lifestyle - - - - - - - Faster lifestyle
Mathias Church, Royal Palace - - - - - - - -Heroes' Square, Parliament (3rd largest in the world: 700 rooms,
Castle Bazar, Funicular Railway - - - - - - -224 statues, 80 pounds of 22 carat gold. The Shoes memorial,
Royal Palace, Castle Bazar Gardens - - - - -(2005 Holocaust Memorial), St. Stephen's Basilica with its 360
Turkish (Thermal) Baths, Citadel - - - - - - degree panorama (1905), The Great Synagogue (1859, the
Liberty Statue - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - second largest synagogue in the world (NYC is the largest).
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Opera House (1884 - financed by Emperor Franz Joseph -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - seen in the movie "Evita." Szechenyi Bath (1913 steambath).
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Central/Grand Market Hall (1896 - Paprika, fruits & vegetables).

Across the Chain Bridge: stroll on the Promenade, cross the Chain Bridge and take the Funicular uphill For a panoramic view of the city by the Royal Palace - near the Matthias Coronation Church.

Stroll on Pest: Walk on the Promenade, pedestrian area. Pass the Basilica and continue to the Parliament. Stroll from the ship to the Market Hall, across the (green) Liberty Bridge up to Gellert Bath, ending at the Chappel in the Rock.

Try the Hungarian lard, spread on bread, bone marrow served in the bone, and famous liver dumplings in soup. Paprika chicken, Goulash, Langosh, Chimney cakes and strudels.

Check out Hungary's world renown Herend china dating back to 1826 and Hungary's most famous Vass shoes.