After 3 years of construction, the House of Music opened its doors on January 22, 2022 in City Park featuring “a roof perforated with 100 or so cavities that allow natural light, trees and sound to infiltrate the two performance venues, exhibition spaces and library, which are linked by magnificent spiral staircases, and a complete glass exterior to aid reliance on renewable energy”.
Hungary’s House of Music among the World’s Best New Attractions
Time Out revealed the 22 best new things to do in the world in 2022, and the second spot went to Hungary’s House of Music, the stunning new concert hall. Time Out calls the House of Music “the standout initiative” of the Liget Budapest Project, Europe’s largest urban cultural development programme, which aims to rehabilitate the capital’s City Park and transform it into a museum island.
Designed by a Japanese star architect
The House of Music was built next to the City Park Lake, in the neighborhood of Vajdahunyad Castle and the City Park Ice Rink. The almost completely transparent, environmentally friendly house creates a harmonious transition between the natural and artificial environment.
The House of Music was designed by the famous Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto who envisioned a project in which the boundary between the natural and the built environments is dissolved, and harmony is struck between the nature of sound and the sounds of nature.
The signature feature of the design, the floating roof, was inspired by the visual representation of the vibration of sound: the wave. In the spirit of openness and transparency, Fujimoto designed the side walls of the building to be made of glass and the perforated structure of the roof articulated by lightwells to let light into the interior of the building much like the foliage of trees. You can see a peculiar form of gold running everywhere through the suspended ceiling, many thousands of stylized gold leaves above.
Concert Hall with excellent acoustics
The basic concept is the harmonious blending of nature with the building. It’s pretty rare but the main concert hall also has glass walls, and the acoustics are excellent thanks to its “zigzag” walls. In my understanding this way the sound is reflected back and doesn’t matter where you stand, the sound quality is the same.
Besides concerts it is also suitable for holding conferences and various meetings.
Exhibitions and Sound Dome
The underground level is even larger than the building on the surface. Here you can find the Permanent and Temporary Exhibitions, and the remarkable Sound Dome, the special hemispherical cupola where you can get a special audio-visual experience.
I just had the chance for a short visit last Friday, next time I’m gonna spend more time and will enjoy the interactive exhibitions and attend one of the live events.
Practical Information
The House of Music, Hungary is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm or until the end of the last concert-event of the day.
The Ticket Office is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. The Information Desk is available every day from 10 am until the closing of the building.
The Exhibitions, the Library, the Sound Dome and the Creative Sound Space are closed on Mondays.
For more information about exhibitions, events and concerts please check the website of House of Music, Hungary.
Things to do in the neighborhood of House of Music, Hungary
Strolling around Vajdahunyad Castle
Vajdahunyad Castle is one of the most unique attractions of Budapest. This building complex looks like it has just stepped out from a Disney fairytale movie. Different parts of the building are copies of different Hungarian castles, palaces, churches, monasteries. Originally it was first built from wood and cardboard with the purpose of being part of the Millennial Exhibition in 1896. Due to its popularity, it was then rebuilt using stable materials such as brick and stone.
Ice-skating at City Park Ice Rink
City Park Ice Rink with the majestic Vajdahunyad Castle as a fairy-tale backdrop is located behind Heroes’ Square. Budapest’s first ice rink which was opened on the lake in 1870 is one of the oldest and largest in Europe. It’s filled up with water during the summer months and serves as a boating lake for tourists looking to pedal around while basking in the sun.
Walking in the rose garden of the House of the Hungarian Millennium
The House of the Hungarian Millennium, formerly called Olof Palme House, is the oldest building (1885) in the City Park in Budapest. After a complete restoration work it was opened to the public in October, 2019. There is a cultural center, an event venue, an exhibition place and a restaurant and café with high level culinary treats. It is all under one roof. The new rose garden gives a warm welcome to the visitors.
Taking a splash in the thermal water of Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Széchenyi Thermal Bath is located in a lush green area of the City Park. It’s one of the largest bathing complexes in Europe, the premier medicinal bath of Pest. Its thermal springs were discovered in 1879; they are the deepest and hottest (74-75 C.) thermal wells in the capital. The neo-Baroque baths were built in 1913, the swimming pool in 1927. It’s open all year long and is popular in every season.
Learning about animals at Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden
The Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden is the oldest zoo and park in Hungary and one of the oldest in the world as it was opened in 1866. This stylistically diverse wild kingdom features several notable animal shelters, such as the folk-architecture Australian Pavilion (formerly known as the Bird House), the glass-walled Palm House and the Art Nouveau Elephant House, alongside many modern open enclosures which are also not to be missed.
Riding the oldest subway on continental Europe
The Millennium Underground Railway in Budapest was the first metro line on continental Europe and has been operating since 1896, marking the 1000th anniversary of the arrival of Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin. It’s probably a lesser known fact that the Millennium Underground is the only metro system in the world that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Where to stay near the House of Music in Budapest
Hotel Alice
The lovely Hotel Alice is located on the UNESCO world heritage Andrássy Avenue, close to the famous Heroes’ Square and House of Terror. The stylish villa was built at the end of the 1870’s and was owned by the family of the Hungarian manufacturer, Manfréd Weiss. The fully renovated and new-born Hotel Alice offers a complex recreational experience to all of its visitors.
Ibis Budapest Heroes’ Square
Ibis Budapest Heroes’ Square is located next to the Museum of Fine Arts, Hungarian Art Gallery, Széchenyi Spa, Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, Heroes’ Square and City Park. A breakfast buffet is available every morning at the hotel. A terrace and a bar are also at guests’ disposal. If you arrive by car, no problem, the hotel provides parking for an extra fee.
Smart Hotel Budapest
Experience the smart technology in Smart Hotel Budapest! Innovation and wise resorts are waiting for you and your family. Two clicks for personalize room by using located tablets or even your mobile phone. Make yourself at home.
Mamaison Hotel Andrassy Budapest
This upscale boutique hotel is located in the historic Andrássy Avenue, also known as the Champs Élysées of Budapest and a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll enjoy being a 5 minute walk away from Heroes’ Square and Széchenyi Spa. The elegance of this recently renovated building was erected in the 1930s. This Bauhaus style hotel offers modern comforts, gourmet breakfast, a restaurant and lounge and conference rooms.
Have a nice stay in Budapest!
Make sure to follow MyLittleHungary on Instagram or like us on Facebook to get exclusive contents and other exciting announcements.