Back November 19th, 2013

Mihály Pollack was one of the most renowned Hungarian Classicist architects. A lot of foreign tourists visiting Hungary take a tour in the most important building built by his plans, the Hungarian National Museum, where the most precious treasures of the Hungarian history are kept.
Mihály Pollack was born in 1773 in Vienna as a son of a master builder. He studied in Vienna, and later started working in Italy: he took part in the constructions of the Milan Cathedral in 1793. In 1798 he moved to Pest, and from 1808 he had an important task working for the Beautification Commission; created plans for reconstructing the city, and he also promoted creating the City Park (Városliget). Between 1810 and 1830 he created plans for several important buildings that made an influence on the cityscape, like the Almássy Palace, the Festetics Palace, the Staffenberger House now home for the R.S.9. Theatre or the Horváth House. The original building of the Vigadó Concert Hall was also built by his plans in 1826-32, but it was demolished during the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. His works are characterized by Classicist simplicity. Pollack died in 1855 in Pest, a square in the 8th district was given his name.
His Most Important Work, the Hungarian National Museum
The Classicist building of the Hungarian National Museum located on Múzeum körút in the 8th district of Budapest is Mihály Pollack’s most renowned work. The institute where the most precious treasures of the Hungarian history are kept was founded by Count Ferenc Széchényi, and built between 1837 and 1847. Széchényi asked Emperor Francis I for permission to donate his collection to the Hungarian state. He got the Emperor’s permission, and thus the museum was founded as the third building in Europe with this purpose. The Parliament offered the needed financial sources for the constructions in 1832-36, and Pollack was entrusted with the plans. The statues on the façade of the building depict the ancient Roman province Pannonia as a woman, and the symbols of science and art, and history and fame. The interior of the building is decorated with murals made by famous Hungarian painters Károly Lotz and Mór Than. The building of the National Museum played an important part in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848: according to the tradition renowned Hungarian poet Sándor Petőfi read his poem Nemzeti dal (National Song) aloud here on the 15th March.
Sources:
hu.wikipedia.orghu.wikipedia.orgfarm9.staticflickr.com