Szablyár Péter: Step by step - Our Budapest (Budapest, 2010)

The Rebirth of styles - the stairs of Historicism

The rebirth of styles - the stairs of Historicism

The second half of the 19th century saw the commencement of large-scale urban development. It was at that time that pioneering ("Historicist") architects started selecting from the stylistic features and solutions of earlier ages to offer their wealthy customers a broad selection of ornaments inspired by a variety of historical styles. For those ordering museums and other public buildings, these architects would offer ideas reinterpreting ancient Greek architecture, to customers wishing to build their palaces they recommended Renaissance features, whereas those investing in sacral architecture would be sold patterns associated with the appropriate denominational traditions. This was the most important phase in the history of Budapest’s development, thus many of the city's landmark buildings playing a determining role in its architectural history were erected in the period.

The stairs of the Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts was ceremonially opened on 1 December 1906, in the presence of Joseph Francis 1, ten years after the passing of the Millenary Bill, a law pro■ The itain of the Muieum of Fine Ártó before the planned extemion

30