Wonder at contemporary architecture in Europe’s oldest park
With iconic landmarks continuing to attract 30 million tourists each year, Budapest is now offering a fresh perspective on its identity, investing in projects that will modernize the city’s visual landscape.
At the forefront of this evolution Liget Budapest, a visionary project that is restoring and renovating the 100-hectare City Park (Városliget), reframing Hungary’s capital as a global destination for contemporary architecture.
Budapest’s timeless allure
Budapest’s skyline is an architectural marvel that has stood for centuries. The imposing Parliament Building, designed by Imre Steindl, overlooks the Danube, boasting neo-gothic spires which radiate a golden glow as the sun sets. Zoboki’s Palace of Arts provides a modernist twist with its sleek lines and innovative structure. While the Opera House, crafted by design visionary Miklós Ybl, adds a touch of neoclassical grandeur to Budapest’s architectural tapestry.
These unique landmarks are the essence of Budapest’s identity. However, its architecture is by no means solely historic. One landmark development project is cementing the city’s status as a place of inspiring modernity and innovation.
A new architectural oasis
Liget Budapest currently stands as Europe’s most extensive and intricate urban development project. It encompasses the renewal and enlargement of green areas and recreational facilities in City Park, while also adding new cultural institutions. This is creating a new urban district that harmonizes with the natural beauty of the park.
The project is committed to preserving every inch of green space, as well as iconic institutions that have stood for centuries — including the Széchenyi Thermal Baths, Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture, the Műcsarnok, and Budapest Zoo.
But the heart of Liget Budapest is a love letter to contemporary architecture. Its awe-inspiring spaces include the celebrated House of Music – a transparent, glass-clad marvel that melds seamlessly with the park’s lush landscape. Visitors embark on a sensory journey through Hungary’s musical heritage and global contributions, exploring interactive exhibits and soundscapes that celebrate the universal language of music.
“Architecture of the future should be in harmony with nature,” says the building’s architect Sou Fujimoto. “This location is surrounded by such beautiful nature, so I loved the idea of playing music in the middle of a forest while being able to look at the greenery.”
More wonder can be found at the Museum of Ethnography. This architectural gem plays with curves and lines to produce a marriage of art and function. The building’s exterior resembles an ethereal cocoon, while inside is an ode to Hungary’s cultural history — where exhibitions are backdropped by the stunning City Park Lake.
Buzz around these institutions has been immense, with both buildings winning Best International Public Service Architecture at the International Property Awards (IPA). These, among many others, have elevated Liget Budapest to being the most accoladed development project in the history of the IPA.
Architectural wonder
This visionary transformation of Europe’s oldest park into Liget Budapest is a testament to Budapest’s enduring commitment to architecture, innovation, and cultural enrichment, and will ensure that the city continues to captivate the hearts and minds of travelers from around the globe for years to come.
