A must-see for locals and tourists keen on history, the Hungarian National Museum (Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum) stands on the boulevard that takes its name, Múzeum körút. Founded in the early 1800s, set up in this grandiose Neo-Classical landmark from the 1840s, the National Museum played its own part in Hungarian history when patriotic poet Sándor Petőfi instigated the 1848 Revolution by reading out his Nemzeti dal on these very steps. Today the museum offers a chronological walk through Hungarian history, archaeological, historical and ethnic relics illustrating the changing face of the Carpathian Basin over the centuries. The urban history of Budapest brings the capital into sharper focus. Look out for the temporary exhibitions – these recently featured the controversial Seuso Treasure of silverware from the late Roman era.
