For a considerable period, butterfly houses have been established globally, extending beyond their native tropical climates. Many prominent European cities boast such attractions, thus it was overdue for these remarkable insects to grace Budapest. While Budapest previously featured a seasonal butterfly house within the Zoo, accessible only during warmer months, the recently inaugurated Papilonia, situated by the Buda quay of the Danube, offers a year-round experience. Discover Budapest's Papilonia Butterfly House near Elizabeth Bridge – a tropical haven where butterflies, birds, and plants create a harmonious unity.
Harmony of butterflies and birds
A visit to Papilonia is primarily for observing and photographing butterflies, often in the company of others, although solitary moments with a book on a bench are equally enjoyable. Few experiences rival reading in this tropical ambiance, accompanied by birdsong, as a butterfly alights on your book or hand – a moment of pure serenity.
Papilonia's journey began in Prague, marking the inception of its first butterfly house. The concept's success facilitated expansion throughout the Czech Republic, followed by incursions into Bratislava, Slovakia and Dinkelsbühl, Germany, with Budapest now its latest locale. The butterflies within Papilonia's enclosures are meticulously selected by a team of experts. Beyond butterflies, the environment features exotic plants, small birds, a few tortoises, and goldfish in a petite pond. Crucially, all Papilonia inhabitants must maintain a harmonious coexistence – ensuring, of course, that the birds do not prey on the butterflies.
A sophisticated operation
The Budapest Papilonia is the largest, with its setup taking several months. The butterflies are extremely delicate creatures with a complex breeding system. They arrive from England in chrysalis form, collected and nurtured at a British butterfly farm before being carefully packed and delivered to Budapest within a day. This system must function precisely and smoothly – any disruption would cause the entire operation to collapse.
The chrysalises are placed in a hatching cabinet at the centre of Papilonia. With glass on all four sides, visitors can witness fully developed specimens emerging before they fly off to enjoy their remarkably brief 2 to 3-week lifespan. Despite hundreds of butterflies surrounding visitors, their short lives require constant replenishment.
Located just steps from Fővám tér, toward Elizabeth Bridge along the Danube, Papilonia charges reasonable entry fees: HUF 2,990 for children, students, seniors and disabled visitors, HUF 3,750 for adults, and family tickets (2 adults and up to 3 children) for HUF 9,900. There's no time limit – stay as long as you wish. The space accommodates 50 people, though the ideal number is around 30 visitors at once.
The residents
Papilonia primarily hosts butterflies. A pre-opening visit revealed 200-300, with 700-800 chrysalises awaiting emergence. Soon, expect a surge, including nine Atlas moths, the world's largest butterfly. Future rarities include the clearwing moths. Most originate from Southeast Asia and the Caribbean, with others from Africa and Australia arriving soon.
The Budapest Papilonia's space draws inspiration from Jules Verne's A Journey to the Centre of the Earth: a jungle-like environment, complete with replicas of prehistoric skulls and skeletons. A small pond accommodates goldfish and, at present, one tortoise. The others, still diminutive, reside in a terrarium until they attain sufficient size to transition to the pond.
Birds also inhabit Papilonia: several varieties of chirping finches and some Chinese quail – possibly the most amusing creatures on Earth. They're sure to become children's favourites, and we hope animators discover them someday. Unable to fly, only hop and run, these tiny, feathered friends are incredibly nimble.
Though butterflies are rather delicate creatures, they seem to lack any sense of fear. They readily land on visitors' hands, heads, and shoulders, sometimes several at once. You could almost touch them; they don't flee. They certainly won't bite – perhaps they'll just fly away, as even butterflies might have bad days despite their brief lifespan.
CONTACT:
Papilonia
