The State Opera House was designed in the Renaissance
style by Miklós Ybl (1878-1884) to commemorate the Hungarian
millennium celebrations. It was completed in 1884. The façade
of the building is decorated with statues of 16 of the world's greatest
composers.
The Opera House underwent a major renovation between 1981 and 1984
that restored it to its original splendor. Over 300,000 pieces of
23-carat gold leaf were used.