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.