Hidden Budapest Gem: The Royal Library

Libraries are magical places.

And I’m not just saying that because I grew up watching Matilda on repeat. Since moving to Budapest, I’ve been trying to find a library with a largeish English selection that wasn’t too far away. And I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by it’s cover, but…once I saw pics of this library, I just had to go and see for myself. So I went to explore one of the most impressive looking libraries in Budapest: The Metropolitan Ervin Szábo Library.

Seeing as the Ervin Szábo Libary is in the leafy Palace Quarter (Palota Negyed), I shouldn’t have been surprised that the Central Library was converted out of a palace. (You can find more info on the history of the palace here.)

THIS. PLACE. Gosh, it’s like Beauty and the Beast come to life. I wanted to dance along the converted ballroom and run my hand along all the books and sing from the top of the spiral staircase (although, those are blocked off from the public…probably to prevent people like me from doing just that). I don’t spend a lot of time in restored Neo-Baroque palaces, if you can’t tell.

While others were busy studying in this “Little Versailles”, I was just trying to pick my jaw up off of the floor. Once the initial wonder wore off, however, Jordan and I did a little more exploring. (And I read a few random books for the sake of pictures).

When I first sought out the Central Library, I spent the better part of an hour wandering around and almost gave up before I found the hidden palace, so ~learn from my mistakes~ and just follow these directions instead. *
*To enter, you’ll need to buy a pass from the front desk. A year-long visitor’s pass costs only 200 HUF/$.70. This allows you entry into the library, but does not give you permission to borrow books.

Go through the entry gates and take the elevator to the 4th floor. Go straight into the room across from the elevator, and then follow it around the corner to the left. On the far wall, you should see a tiny makeshift sign that says “Palace –>”. Follow the arrow, my friends, and you’ll find the treasure.

Even if you don’t have time to sit down and read a novel–I highly suggest giving the Central Palace a high spot on your itinerary next time you have a free afternoon in Budapest. Don’t forget to look up!

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

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Do you have any book recommendations? Drop them in the comments below!