Museum
Hungarian National Gallery
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The Hungarian National Gallery, established in 1957, is the national art museum of Hungary. It is located in Buda Castle in Budapest and its collections cover Hungarian art in all genres, including works by many 19th- and 20th-century Hungarian artists who worked in Paris and other locations abroad. The primary museum for international art in Budapest is the Museum of Fine Arts.
Don't miss
- Medieval, Renaissance, Gothic, and Baroque Hungarian art, including wood altars from the 15th century.
- Works by Hungarian sculptors such as Károly Alexy, Maurice Ascalon, Miklós Borsos, and János Fadrusz.
- Paintings and photographs by major Hungarian artists including Brassai and Ervin Marton, part of the Paris circle before World War II.
- Paintings by Mihály Munkácsy, László Paál, Tivadar Kosztka Csontváry (Ruins of Ancient Theatre, Taormina), and József Rippl-Rónai (Models).
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Hungarian National Gallery
You can visit Hungarian National Gallery on your own. A guide mainly adds context, what you are looking at and why it matters, and a tour can add transport or combine nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inBudapest Historical Sightseeing - Free Walking Tour4.8★ · 1,491 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$3 per personSee dates →
Most bookedBudapest City Landmarks Walking Tour in 2 Hours4.9★ · 2,255 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$3 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleExclusive Hungarian Wine and Gastronomy Experience Luxury Package5★ · 17 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$58 per personSee dates →Getting there
Know before you go
- The gallery is housed in the Royal Palace on Castle Hill, one of Budapest's most popular attractions.
- The gallery focuses exclusively on Hungarian art; international art is at the Museum of Fine Arts.
- The collection includes photography by Hungarian artists who worked in Paris before World War II.
A bit of history
In 2008, the director of the Museum of Fine Arts proposed merging his museum with the National Gallery due to similar exhibition profiles. In September 2011, the Secretary of State for Culture announced plans to build a new structure along Andrássy út near City Park to house the National Gallery's collections, a plan referred to as the Budapest Museum Quarter. The National Gallery's director at the time, Ferenc Csák, resigned in December 2011, criticizing the merger process as unprofessional and anti-democratic.
Common questions
What type of art does the Hungarian National Gallery display?
It covers Hungarian art in all genres, including Medieval, Renaissance, Gothic, Baroque, and works by 19th- and 20th-century Hungarian artists.
Where is the gallery located?
It is located in Buda Castle in Budapest, Hungary.
Is there a separate museum for international art in Budapest?
Yes, the primary museum for international art in Budapest is the Museum of Fine Arts.
Are there any notable sculptures in the collection?
Yes, the museum displays works by Hungarian sculptors such as Károly Alexy, Maurice Ascalon, Miklós Borsos, and János Fadrusz.
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