Budapest’s Kossuth tér and the building of Parliament are part of the world heritage. They are special National Memorial Sites, the centre of Hungarian statehood and constitutionality, and Hungary’s main political stage. The reconstruction is part of the “Imre Steindl Programme”, whose name pays tribute to the architect of the Parliament building.

The aim of the programme is to build a public square and park that preserve traditions and is also modern and multi-functional. It should welcome those wishing to relax in the park, visitors to Parliament and protestors exercising their political rights alike.

The car park, which is an eyesore on the square before Parliament, will be moved underground. Currently preparations for the construction of the underground car park are in progress on the north side of Kossuth tér. The visitor centre, which will welcome both Hungarian and foreign tourists, will likewise be situated underground.

Parliament attracts almost half a million tourists each year. At present they have to wait outside the building, sometimes even for hours, in a corner of the square to be admitted, because there is no appropriate place to receive them. By placing the visitor centre and the car park underground, it will be possible to make the square considerably greener.

Visitors we be able to sit and stroll in a more spacious, more aesthetic and more harmonious park. At one time atmospheric cafés and restaurants with shaded terraces awaited guests in the buildings around the square. Why should that feeling not be restored?

The park on Kossuth tér will also be more conducive to relaxation because there will be no through vehicle traffic on Kossuth tér. It will only be possible to pass in front of Parliament by tram or by bicycle. The same will also be true behind Parliament because the promenade on the bank of the Danube will reopen.

The embankment, which was closed years ago, will be renovated and made an integral part of the square around Parliament. That means from spring 2014 it will even be possible to walk all the way round the fully refurbished Parliament building.

The Hungarian Parliament building is rightly one of the world’s most famous parliaments. It is part of our cultural, historical and architectural heritage, and the pride of us all.

With the Imre Steindl Programme and the reconstruction of Kossuth tér, after many decades, we are finally creating a worthy environment for the Parliament building both respecting Hungarian traditions and satisfying modern expectations."

Source: kormany.hu