Geological Institute

In the late 19th century, the Hungarian Geological Society decided to build a new structure to house their activities. However, they wanted an architect who could create a unique Hungarian style of architecture, reflecting the nationalist spirit of the age. To fulfill their needs, they hired Ödön Lechner, the father of the Hungarian art nouveau movement known as Szecesszió. Lechner’s style was characterized by the use of brightly colored ceramics, eastern design details, organic motifs, and Hungarian folk art elements, all of which he incorporated into the design of the building commissioned by the society (now the Hungarian Geological Institute). 

The Institute’s building is a perfect example of the Szecesszió movement and is most notable for its turquoise and blue tiled Zsolnay roof, which represents the ancient Tethys Ocean. Other details of the building similarly merge architectural and geological themes, such as cave-like mosaics on the flooring at the entrance and details of fossils decorating the exterior. Engraved windows throughout the museum feature typical Hungarian flower motifs, and the entire building is crowned with a statue of human figures holding up a globe.  The building still serves as the home of the Hungarian Geological Institute, the country’s oldest scientific research institute. It also houses the Geological Museum of Budapest, which boasts the largest geological collection in the country, including 23 thematic collections with over 180,000 inventoried fossils, minerals, rocks, and photos.

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