Opera House

Reclaiming its gilded glory after a complete renovation in the late 2010s, the State Opera House echoes the Golden Age of Budapest. Created by architectural legend Miklós Ybl and decorated by famed muralist Károly Lotz, it was unveiled in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph in 1875 – a statue of its first music director, Franz Liszt stands outside by one of Ferenc Erkel, composer of the Hungarian national anthem. Home of the Hungarian National Ballet, it has hosted some of the greatest conductors, sopranos and tenors in the opera genre. English-language tours of the building run three times a day, last 60 minutes and include a short performance by young opera singers on the grand staircase.