The modernisation of the Opera House

Following an extensive refurbishment and modernisation that lasted for nearly five years, the historic Opera House was reopened with a spectacular gala on 12 March 2022.

The Construction of the Opera House

The Neo-Renaissance palace designed by Miklós Ybl has been open to opera and ballet lovers for more than one hundred thirty years. Thousands of tourists visit the building each year to admire one of Budapest’s most important historical monuments.

The limestone façade

The main façade of the Ybl palace on Andrássy út is quite imposing, not only because of its structure, but also due to its decorations.

The foyer

Spending time in the rich colours of the foyer, decorated with Italian marbles, allows you to really get in the mood for musical experiences.

The grand staircase

The bifurcated stairs in the foyer lead up to the grand staircase, where the aesthetic experience becomes even greater.

The auditorium

The horseshoe-shaped, three-storey auditorium provides an exhilarating feeling of space.

The royal staircase

Franz Joseph I and Queen Sissi have trod the very steps that lead up to the salons on the first floor. The original function of the separate stairs leading from the carriage ramp on Dalszínház Street has been retained, though today it is also used for performances.

The Bertalan Székely Parlour

The upstairs gallery of the Royal Stairs leads to the left side proscenium box salon, called the Bertalan Székely Parlour. Besides the rich oak woodwork, the other main ornament in this room is Bertalan Székely’s Rococo-style frieze entitled The Four Seasons.

The Red Parlour

The oak-covered guest hall of the royal box was named for its sour cherry coloured silk textiles.

The Feszty Bar

The two levels of the foyer and the smoking halls decorated with oak panelling and blue and golden textiles provide the perfect place for conversations and social interactions in the intermissions. 

Opera Café

A café where you can have lunch, dinner, a mid-afternoon pastry, or a glass of champagne in informal but classy setting.