The Glass House Memorial Museum

"The Glass House (Hungarian: Üvegház), located at 29 Vadász Street in Budapest, is a significant historical site linked to the heroic efforts of Swiss diplomat Carl Lutz during the Holocaust. The building, once a glass factory, served as a refuge for approximately 3,000 Jews escaping the brutal persecution of Hungarian fascists, anti-Semitic groups, and the Nazi regime during World War II. Carl Lutz, who was appointed as Swiss vice-consul in Budapest in 1942, played a pivotal role in saving the lives of tens of thousands of Jews. By issuing "letters of protection," a diplomatic tool he negotiated with Nazi authorities, Lutz was able to provide life-saving safe conduct for Jews at risk of deportation to concentration camps. He is credited with saving around 62,000 Jews, and his actions extended to organizing the emigration of 10,000 Jewish children to Israel. Among the many safe houses Lutz established around Budapest, the Glass House became one of the most famous. It acted as a sanctuary where Jews could find refuge under the protection of the Swiss legation. Lutz’s courageous misinterpretation of a Nazi directive allowed him to issue thousands of protective letters, ultimately saving many lives. After the war, Lutz faced initial reprimands for his bold actions, but he was later recognized for his heroism, receiving honors from the Swiss government and international organizations. In 1964, he was named "Righteous Among the Nations" by Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial authority. Today, the Glass House stands as a museum documenting the life and legacy of Carl Lutz and his extraordinary efforts to protect and save lives during one of history’s darkest times. The site includes exhibits about Lutz’s diplomatic work and the history of the Holocaust in Hungary, with a commemorative monument dedicated to his memory at the entrance to the old Budapest ghetto. "