Zádor Anna: Neoclassical Pest - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1993)

The LüDOVICEÜM FROM A PRINT BY VASQÜEZ

Cipón entering, one finds a rectangular space parallel with the peristyle; it is divided by free-standing columns into a larger vestibule with two smaller units to the sides. The axis of the vestibule continues on a circular area surrounded by columns and covered by a flat cupola; on the corners, smaller but carefully executed breezy spaces join this circular area. From here we can walk to the grand staircase, built in the second half of the century. It is decorated with paintings by Károly Lotz and Mór Than; these pictures exemplify the style of histori- cism both in their approach and artistic means, but their subject matter represents the same proud national identity as the whole building.

The grand staircase leads to the first room of the first floor: the so-called Pantheon Hall, covered with a round, flat cupola; the solemn atmosphere of this hall prepares the visitor for his entrance to the Ceremonial Hall. Its size is enlarged with alcoves located on the diagonal axis and decorated with two columns. On these columns rests the richly articulated pediment, whose present decoration (the coloured coats of arms of counties and cities) was added after the construction. From this hall, lit from above, we can enter the rectangular Ceremonial Hall situated behind the peristyle of the facade. The two longer walls of the hall are articulated by Corinthian wall-pillars on tall stylobates. In each of

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