Some will argue - is the National Bank really Art nouveau style? Hmm, yes and no. There are some parts which definitely bear the mark and anyway, it was high time we talked about this important building! 
The building was originally planned as the headquarter of the Budapest branch of the Austrian- Hungarian Bank. To illustrate the significance of a national bank, one should note that the demands of the 1848-49 Revolution had it among its 12 crucial demands to establish such an institution. The ambition came only to be fulfilled in 1924, when the independent Hungarian National Bank was set up at last. The location couldn't have been more symbolic of a nation striving for financial and political independence. The so-called 'New Building', an ominous barrack serving as the centre of Habsbourg rule, and where the country's first PM, Count Lajos Batthány was executed, finally got torn down in 1897. Rebaptized as 'Liberty Square', the freed space gave home to the major institutions of the country's economy, becoming the 'City' of the state with the second highest GDP in Europe (still the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy). Construction sought to express this eminence in proportion, pomp, marble and gold.
Ignác Alpár won the tender for the headquarter of the Austrian- Hungarian Bank in 1901. The ornate facade looking onto Liberty square is in accordance with the palace of the Stock Exchange opposite, another work of Alpár's.
The figures and decoration of the building eloquently tell of its function. Walking around the structure and gazing at the walls, one can notice representations of melting and casting precious metals, the carving and pressing of bills. The arts and sciences, as well as silversmithing, farming, industry, Phoenician commerce, a bank from the Middle Ages, and ore mining all receive visual mention here.
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| architect, Ignác Alpár |
The niche on the Western side holds the figure of the architect, Ignác Alpár himself.
The international nature of banking is invoked by figures wearing various national costumes above the windows of the first floor. All floors have a reoccurring plant as decoration: wheat for the ground floor, iris and thistle for the second, while horse-chestnut garlands the third floor.
The international nature of banking is invoked by figures wearing various national costumes above the windows of the first floor. All floors have a reoccurring plant as decoration: wheat for the ground floor, iris and thistle for the second, while horse-chestnut garlands the third floor.
Mainly late eclectic, the rich decorations of the interior shows a strong Art Nouveau influence. Miksa Róth's colourful stained glass windows adorning the staircase are perhaps the most noteworthy of these.
Venetian mirrors, marble columns and chandeliers further embellish the building. Protected since 1976, the Hungarian National Bank has received visitors since March, 2004.
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