YBL, Miklós - b. 1814 Székesfehérvár, d. 1891 Budapest - WGA

YBL, Miklós

(b. 1814 Székesfehérvár, d. 1891 Budapest)

Hungarian architect. He was one of Europe’s leading architects in the mid to late nineteenth century as well as Hungary’s most influential architect during his career. His most well-known work is the Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest (1875-84).

After graduating from the Institute of Technology (the Politechnikum) in Vienna, Ybl became Mihály Pollack’s assistant in 1832 and worked in Henrik Koch’s (1781-1861) office between 1836 and 1840. Following this, he moved to Munich and then to Italy to study. After his return, he entered into partnership with Ágoston Pollack, the son of Mihály Pollack; together they refurbished the Ikervár castle of Count Lajos Batthyány. His first main work was the church in Fót, built between 1845 and 1855.

His early, large projects were built in Romantic style, influenced by eastern motifs. Although Romanesque shapes also occur in his later buildings, after his second study tour to Italy from 1860 he became interested in the possibility of the revitalisation of the Italian Renaissance style, and designed several Neo-Renaissance buildings. Many of his buildings became, and indeed are still today, determinant elements of the cityscape of Budapest: Saint Stephen’s Basilica (1867-91), the Rác Thermal Bath, the former Palace of Customs, (1871-74), and the throne room and Krisztinaváros wing of the Royal Palace. He also built countless churches, apartments and castles in the provinces.

The annual Hungarian architectural prize founded in 1953 was named after him in his honour.

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The Basilica is the most important church building in Hungary. It is named after Saint Stephen I of Hungary, the first King of Hungary (c. 975–1038), whose “incorruptible” right hand is housed in the reliquary.

The architectural style is Neoclassical; it has a Greek cross ground plan. The fa�ade is anchored by two large bell towers. In the southern tower is Hungary’s biggest bell, weighing over 9 tons.

The photo shows the main fa�ade.

Exterior view
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Exterior view

The Basilica is the most important church building in Hungary. It is named after Saint Stephen I of Hungary, the first King of Hungary (c. 975–1038), whose “incorruptible” right hand is housed in the reliquary.

The architectural style is Neoclassical; it has a Greek cross ground plan. The fa�ade is anchored by two large bell towers. In the southern tower is Hungary’s biggest bell, weighing over 9 tons.

The photo shows the main fa�ade.

Exterior view
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Exterior view

This Neoclassical building now houses the Corvinus University in Budapest.

The photo shows the main fa�ade.

Exterior view
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Exterior view

This Neoclassical building now houses the Corvinus University in Budapest.

The photo shows the main fa�ade.

Exterior view
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Exterior view

This Neoclassical building now houses the Corvinus University in Budapest.

The photo shows the building seen from the Danube.

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Exterior view

The Church of the Immaculate Conception at F�t was Ybl’s first main work. It was built in Romantic style.

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Exterior view

The Hungarian State Opera House is a Neo-Renaissance opera house located in central Budapest. It was designed by Mikl�s Ybl, a major figure of 19th-century Hungarian architecture. Construction began in 1875, funded by the city of Budapest and by Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary, and the new house opened to the public on the 27 September 1884.

A major renovation took place between 1980 and 1984. The reopening was held exactly 100 years after the original opening, on the 27 September 1984.

It is a richly-decorated building and is considered one of the architect’s masterpieces. It was built in Neo-Renaissance style, with elements of Baroque. Ornamentation includes paintings and sculptures by leading figures of Hungarian art including Bertalan Sz�kely, M�r Than and K�roly Lotz. In the quality of acoustics the Budapest Opera House is considered to be amongst the finest opera houses in the world.

The auditorium holds 1,261 people. It is horseshoe shaped and - according to measurements done in the 1970s by a group of international engineers - has the third best acoustics in Europe after La Scala in Milan and the Palais Garnier in Paris.

The decoration of the symmetrical fa�ade follows a musical theme. In niches on either side of the main entrance there are figures of two of Hungary’s most prominent composers, Ferenc Erkel and Franz Liszt. Both were sculpted by Alajos Str�bl.

The foyer has marble columns. The vaulted ceiling is covered in murals by Bertalan Sz�kely and M�r Than. They depict the nine Muses.

The main hall is decorated with a bronze chandelier weighing 3050 kg. It illuminates a fresco by K�roly Lotz, depicting the Greek gods on Olympus. The royal box is located centrally in the three-storey circle. It is decorated with sculptures symbolizing the four operatic voices - soprano, alto, tenor and bass.

Exterior view
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Exterior view

The Hungarian State Opera House is a Neo-Renaissance opera house located in central Budapest. It was designed by Mikl�s Ybl, a major figure of 19th-century Hungarian architecture. Construction began in 1875, funded by the city of Budapest and by Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary, and the new house opened to the public on the 27 September 1884.

A major renovation took place between 1980 and 1984. The reopening was held exactly 100 years after the original opening, on the 27 September 1984.

It is a richly-decorated building and is considered one of the architect’s masterpieces. It was built in Neo-Renaissance style, with elements of Baroque. Ornamentation includes paintings and sculptures by leading figures of Hungarian art including Bertalan Sz�kely, M�r Than and K�roly Lotz. In the quality of acoustics the Budapest Opera House is considered to be amongst the finest opera houses in the world.

The auditorium holds 1,261 people. It is horseshoe shaped and - according to measurements done in the 1970s by a group of international engineers - has the third best acoustics in Europe after La Scala in Milan and the Palais Garnier in Paris.

The decoration of the symmetrical fa�ade follows a musical theme. In niches on either side of the main entrance there are figures of two of Hungary’s most prominent composers, Ferenc Erkel and Franz Liszt. Both were sculpted by Alajos Str�bl.

The foyer has marble columns. The vaulted ceiling is covered in murals by Bertalan Sz�kely and M�r Than. They depict the nine Muses.

The main hall is decorated with a bronze chandelier weighing 3050 kg. It illuminates a fresco by K�roly Lotz, depicting the Greek gods on Olympus. The royal box is located centrally in the three-storey circle. It is decorated with sculptures symbolizing the four operatic voices - soprano, alto, tenor and bass.

Interior view
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Interior view

The main hall is decorated with a bronze chandelier weighing 3050 kg. It illuminates a fresco by K�roly Lotz, depicting the Greek gods on Olympus. The royal box is located centrally in the three-storey circle. It is decorated with sculptures symbolizing the four operatic voices - soprano, alto, tenor and bass.

Interior view
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Interior view

The foyer has marble columns. The vaulted ceiling is covered in murals by Bertalan Sz�kely and M�r Than. They depict the nine Muses.

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