Museum of Fine Arts

The soaring pillars and elegant curved arches of the Museum of Fine Arts (Szépművészeti Múzeum) create an imposing impression for the visitor, and are a fitting home for this collection of works by some of the giants of European art. Created by King Franz Joseph in 1906 as a repository for high culture, the establishment of the museum formed part of the city's millennium celebrations.

Almost 4,000 fantastic relics of the sophisticated ancient Egyptian civilisation take price of place among the collections with the greatest antiquity in the museum, with Greek, Etruscan and Roman pieces also providing a fascinating insight into the development of society around the Mediterranean Sea.

One of the premier collections of Spanish art in Europe is housed in the museum, including captivating works from Goya, El Greco and Velázquez.

Great master painters from across the continent are also strongly represented in the enormous collection of 3,000 images. Admire the wonderful Italian art of Giotto, Veronese, Titian and Raphael, or stroll among the painting of Van Dyck, Frans Hals and Jordaens from the Golden Age of Dutch and Flemish art. Be sure to check out the splendid and much-loved “The Sermon of St John the Baptist” by Pieter Bruegel the Elder during your visit.

Leonardo's equestrian statuette is a highlight of the museum's sculpture collection, as is “Man of Sorrows” by Verrocchio.

Make your way across the river to Vasarely Museum, another constituent part of the Museum of Fine Arts, in the Óbuda district, where you can enjoy the optical art of the Hungarian Victor Vasarely.

The Museum of Fine Arts is open from Tuesday to Sunday inclusive. There is a fee for entry, and an additional cost may be applied for special shows. Audio guides in English are available for the Old Masters' collection and the Modern Collection.

Take a subway train, a bus or a trolley to Heroes' Square to gain access to the museum.