Hungarian National Museum, National museum in District VIII, Budapest, Hungary.
The Hungarian National Museum is the country's principal historical collection in the eighth district of Budapest, housed in a neoclassical palace with imposing columns fronting its facade. The building complex includes sprawling exhibition galleries across multiple floors, a central courtyard with arcaded walkways, and a public garden that slopes toward the street.
Count Ferenc Széchényi founded the collection in 1802 by donating his private library and coin collection to the nation. Construction of the current building began in 1837 according to designs by Mihály Pollack and was completed a decade later, with its steps and forecourt becoming the site of political gatherings during the 1848 revolution.
The museum's name comes from its founder, Count Ferenc Széchényi, whose 1802 donation of 11,884 printed works, 1,156 manuscripts and 2,019 gold coins started the collection. The building became a symbol of national freedom after 15 March 1848, when Sándor Petőfi is said to have recited the Nemzeti dal on its steps; the central state commemoration of the national holiday is still held in front of it each year.
The institution opens Tuesday through Sunday from ten in the morning until six in the evening, with the building offering ramp access and elevators for wheelchair users. Signage inside guides visitors through the different exhibition levels, and a ground floor café provides a place to rest between galleries.
The equestrian statue on the left of the facade is not part of the museum's original decoration: it depicts János Arany, unveiled in 1883, and a memorial tablet to Sándor Petőfi was placed by the stairs in 1890. The museum garden has hosted concerts, with Ferenc Liszt among the performers, and today holds the Museum Festival. Scenes of the film Evita, starring Madonna, were shot on the entrance steps.
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