Madame Tussauds Budapest is very Hungarian – Photo gallery
Madame Tussauds in Budapest offers a truly extraordinary experience, featuring an imposing collection of international celebrities, Hungarian historical figures and famous sports personalities. Let’s delve into why this waxwork exhibition has garnered worldwide acclaim.
Madame Tussauds Budapest informed us in advance that the exhibition boasts an impressive collection of 51 wax figures, marking the 24th production under the Madame Tussauds brand. Hungarians take great pride in their rich history, and it appears that the creators have made a concerted effort to reflect this sentiment. This latest exhibit from the renowned 250-year-old global brand features not only stars but also some of the most iconic individuals in history, culture and science. What makes this experience particularly special for us is that it includes 17 meticulously crafted Hungarian personalities among them.
Why makes Madame Tussauds so special?
The Madame Tussauds legacy traces its roots back to the wax sculptor Marie Tussaud, born in Strasbourg, France, in 1761. At the tender age of six, young Marie became the apprentice of Philippe Curtius, a doctor and wax sculptor. Curtius recognised her exceptional talent and mentored her. By the time she turned 16, Marie had created her first independent wax sculpture of François Voltaire. Following Curtius’s passing in 1794, Marie inherited a collection of wax models, embarking on a 33-year journey around the world. She ultimately established her first permanent panopticon in London in 1835.
Visitors to Madame Tussauds are treated to two distinct and unparalleled experiences. Firstly, the wax figures are incredibly detailed, allowing you to get up close and personal with the celebrities on display. Creating a Madame Tussauds waxwork today is an intricate process that spans up to six months and involves capturing 250-300 photographs of the subject, along with 500 precise measurements. Living celebrities are required to make multiple in-person appearances for the sculptors, even including Queen Elizabeth II. The average cost of crafting a single sculpture amounts to HUF 109-110 million (approximately EUR 286,000). The figures’ attire must always be in immaculate condition and, as they can be rearranged, the personnel makes a thorough check every day to ensure that the clothes have not been worn.
At Madame Tussauds, around 25 world-renowned artists work on each statue in a workshop near London, and each piece takes an average of three months to complete. From the workshop in England, the figures are shipped all over the world.
Every hair strand is individually applied, a painstaking task lasting up to six weeks. The figures are painted by hand, with additional layers applied to the base coat, and the head and body are painted in an average of 5-5 days. The eyes are made by a specialist in acrylic, taking advantage of the natural lustre of the material. The eyes are also treated with vaseline, sanded and polished before application. Every detail is unique, ensuring that no two figures look the same.
What’s often surprising to visitors is the actual stature of famous figures, as it’s difficult to gauge their height from the movie screen.
Hungarian Touch at Madame Tussauds
The production that opened in Palazzo Dorottya in the heart of Budapest was thoughtfully designed to cater to both international and Hungarian interests. The very first room alone is a visually captivating experience. While the short film projected on the wall is well worth watching, the room’s decor is distinctly Hungarian.
And then there are the lifelike Hungarian wax figures. A comprehensive survey was conducted during the planning stage to determine which historical figures, celebrities, athletes, cultural icons and a world-renowned Hungarian scientist the audience most desired to see. These results guided the creation of the figures at Madame Tussauds’ workshop near London.
During your visit, you can proudly pose with Hungarian celebrities such as
Harry Houdini, Katinka Long, Katalin Karády, Lajos Kossuth, Franz Liszt, Béla Lugosi, King Matthias, Mihály Munkácsy, János Neumann, Barbara Palvin, László Papp, Sándor Petőfi, Ferenc Puskás, Princess Sissi, King St. Stephen, István Széchenyi and Jimmy Zámbó.
International icons up close and personal
Visitors to Madame Tussauds can get up close and personal with Hollywood’s biggest stars, renowned singers, artists, historical figures and sports legends. You can capture memorable moments by taking photos with these lifelike figures. Notably, some of the clothing worn by the waxworks is either chosen by the celebrities themselves or even sourced directly from their personal wardrobes. In the case of athletes, their outfits are updated to match their latest team transfers, with Messi and Ronaldo set to sport new kits.
Exclusively in Budapest, both local and international visitors can marvel at life-size models of Bud Spencer, Chuck Norris and Peter Falk, a unique feature not found anywhere else in the world. This is particularly exciting for Italian tourists, as Italy does not have its own Madame Tussauds yet.
In addition to them, there are wax figures of celebrities, athletes and politicians such as
Beyoncé, Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz, Xi Ji-ping, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Downey Jr, Lady Gaga, Mikhail Gorbachev, Ryan Gosling, Ariane Grande, Tom Hanks, Whitney Houston, Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Freddie Mercury, Lionel Messi, Marilyn Monroe, Brad Pitt, Rihanna, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronald Reagan, Will Smith, Steven Spielberg, Donald Trump and Bruce Willis.
Budapest takes centre stage
Madame Tussauds, which first opened in London, subsequently expanded to Amsterdam in 1972, Las Vegas in 1999, Hong Kong in 2000 and Dubai in 2021. Prior to the arrival of the Budapest panopticon, those in search of a Madame Tussauds experience had to travel to Vienna.
Madame Tussauds Budapest is the first of its kind to be franchised. Dorottya Experience Ltd., a Budapest-based company established in 2019 and owned by a Hungarian professional investor, oversees this initiative. The company’s goal is to create a new adventure centre in the city, celebrating both international and Hungarian celebrities.
Madame Tussauds is housed in Palazzo Dorottya, one of Budapest’s most impressive historical buildings. Inaugurated in the 1820s, this palace bears the architectural influence of Mihály Pollack and Alajos Hauszmann. It has served various purposes over the years, including hosting the legendary Wurm Café, a favourite haunt of bankers, merchants and notable chess players like Ferenc Erkel. In the late 19th century, the building even became the headquarters of the Hungarian Counting and Exchange Bank. The grand Hauszmann Hall, once the cash hall, will now be repurposed as the primary exhibition space. Additionally, the lower level of the building boasts over 2,000 square meters of accessible exhibition space.
As mentioned earlier, the Hungarian capital not only provides the venue but also serves as the wellspring of inspiration for the exhibition. The interior of the exhibition features numerous iconic Hungarian landmarks and monuments. Visitors can, for example, stroll through the Buda Castle Tunnel, rendezvous with stars along the Danube embankment, witness a helicopter filming session at the Fisherman’s Bastion and immerse themselves in the unique world of Hungarian spas.
The stunning installations well reflect the rich heritage and cherished traditions of both Budapest and Hungary. The attractions are the results of the collaborative and top-notch efforts of countless professionals.
In addition to the wax figures and the magnificent sets, the exhibition offers visitors a wide range of experiences: interactive screens, engaging sound and light games, awe-inspiring audiovisual content, exciting VR adventures, designated selfie spots and an assortment of other delightful surprises, ensuring an unforgettable time. Visitors will also find a special “Cinema Café” with a unique visual experience and a souvenir shop. Nestled in the very heart of the city centre, this attraction warmly welcomes guests from near and far, year-round.
Tickets can be purchased online or on the spot. And while it may not be the thriftiest attraction in town, it is well worth a visit, given its truly world-class production. A piece of advice for all visitors: don’t embark on this adventure solo; sharing an unforgettable experience with a companion is far more rewarding, and capturing a selfie together beats having someone else take your picture any day.
More details: www.madametussauds.hu