Photos, video: The nation’s Christmas tree will shine brightly, standing tall in front of the Hungarian Parliament
The Parliament Office has chosen a silver fir from Ibrány to serve as the nation’s Christmas tree this year, which was erected this morning in Kossuth Square, the nation’s main square.
For a long time, Kossuth Square has been home to the country’s Christmas tree
It is a tradition spanning several decades that, in the last days of November, just before the first Sunday of Advent, the nation’s Christmas tree is set up in Kossuth Square in Budapest, beside the main entrance of the Parliament building. This year was no exception. The fortunate choice is a silver fir from Ibrány, approximately 23 metres tall and about 40 years old. It was cut down on Sunday and transported to Budapest along a pre-planned route with the help of a military vehicle, where it was erected early this morning.
The silver fir will truly transform into a Christmas tree only on 30 November, the first Sunday of Advent, when it will receive its festive decorations. Here are a few more images of the tree being put in place:
Here are some more photos and a video:
Kossuth Square: the heart of Budapest and the nation, full of sights
Kossuth Square becomes incredibly busy even during the Christmas season, as it is a favourite tourist destination. The northern part of the square leads to the Parliament visitors’ centre. From here, guided tours led by professional guides depart quite regularly, lasting about three-quarters of an hour. During the tours, visitors can admire the impressive main staircase, the upper house lounge, and chamber, as well as the coronation jewels and the stunning dome hall.
On the eastern side of Kossuth Square, additional Parliament buildings can be found—the Ministry of Agriculture and the former Ethnographic Museum building—both currently under renovation. To the north side of the square stand the first responsible Hungarian government members, appointed in April 1848 by the sovereign, while on the southern side, visitors can see the equestrian statues of the freedom fighter Ferenc Rákóczi II and Count Gyula Andrássy, a post-compromise Hungarian prime minister and Austro-Hungarian foreign minister.
Those wishing to travel further from here can choose the number 2 tram, famed for offering one of Europe’s most beautiful panoramas, or the M2 (red) metro line, which heads straight to Deák Ferenc Square. Around that area, there is almost continuous Christmas market stretching over hundreds of metres (Town Hall Square, Vörösmarty Square, Advent Basilica, and Deák Ferenc Square itself). Visitors can also take a ride on the Budapest Eye.
Read also:
- Amazing! Budapest among the world’s best Christmas destinations
- Budapest’s Christmas markets aren’t a cheap outing this year either
Photos: MTI.