On our way in from the airport when we arrived in Budapest, I saw this incredible building rising out of nowhere. Today I was finally able to go back to see it close up. We were debating whether to spend a gloriously sunny day (the first in three weeks) inside a museum, but in the end we did as it was free today, and it was well worth the time.

NOTE: I went back a second time, almost five months after my first visit, to try to capture the exterior of the building. I was waiting for a brilliantly sunny morning, which aren't too plentiful around here, but finally it happened. I got a bit carried away, but really, this building just so spectacular, I couldn't help myself ;-).

The Iparmüveszeti Muzeum was designed by the famous Hungarian architect Ödön Lechner in the Secession style, a variation of Art Nouveau that incorporates elements of Hungarian folk art and which became the Hungarian national style. Masterpieces by Lechner include the Geology Institute https://pbase.com/helenpb/image/130482111, the Postal Savings Bank https://pbase.com/helenpb/image/130678536, Szent Laszlo Church https://pbase.com/helenpb/image/130490945, a villa https://pbase.com/helenpb/image/130489212, Kecskemet City Hall https://pbase.com/helenpb/image/130648750 and the Applied Arts Museum https://pbase.com/image/128557313.

Information on Lechner is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ödön_Lechner