Sándor Palace

In front of you is Sándor Palace, the seat of the President of Hungary. The two uniformed soldiers on guard at the door are a reminder that this is not a museum but a working building.

1A count and his palace

It was built between 1803 and 1806 by Mihály Pollack and Johann Aman for Count Vince Sándor. His son Móric was the most eccentric aristocrat of his day, nicknamed "the devil's rider" for his stunts on horseback; many of the feats credited to him now belong to legend. In 1867 the state rented the palace, and later bought it, as the residence of Hungary's prime ministers, who lived here until the Second World War.

2The night of 2–3 April 1941

Hungary had signed a friendship pact with Yugoslavia. When Hitler demanded passage to attack it, Prime Minister Pál Teleki found himself trapped. On the night of 2–3 April 1941 he took his own life in this palace. He left a letter to the regent, Horthy, saying that Hungary had become a country that did not keep its word. Days later, Hungarian troops crossed the border alongside the Germans.

The siege of 1945 left the palace in ruins. It was fully restored between 2000 and 2002, and since 2003 it has been the presidential seat.

A small palace for a very big story.

3What to look for

• The guard of honour at the door; with luck you'll catch the changing of the guard.
• The bronze turul, the mythical bird of the Magyars, by Gyula Donáth, placed on the Royal Palace railings in 1905.
• The funicular (Sikló), running since 1870, which climbs up from the Chain Bridge.