House of Terror

"The House of Terror (Terror Háza Múzeum) is a museum located at Andrássy Avenue 60 in Budapest, Hungary. It was inaugurated on February 24, 2002, to preserve the memory of the victims of both the fascist and communist regimes that ruled Hungary during the 20th century. The museum commemorates those who were detained, interrogated, tortured, or killed in the building, which was used by both the fascist Arrow Cross Party and the communist ÁVH (State Protection Authority, similar to the Soviet KGB). The museum was created under the government of Viktor Orbán and was established by the Public Foundation for the Research of Central and East European History and Society, which purchased the building in December 2000. The renovation and transformation of the building were carried out by architects János Sándor and Kálmán Újszászy, with the final exhibition design and the building's black exterior by architect Attila F. Kovács. The museum’s striking exterior contrasts with the surrounding buildings on Andrássy Avenue, and the interior features a T-54 tank as part of the permanent exhibition. The museum's exhibition focuses on Hungary's historical relationship with Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, as well as detailing the activities of the fascist Arrow Cross Party and the communist ÁVH. One of the most powerful parts of the museum is located in the basement, where visitors can see reconstructed cells used by the ÁVH to torture prisoners. Audio guides in multiple languages, including English, German, Spanish, Russian, and Italian, are available, and each room provides detailed information in both Hungarian and English. Some have critiqued the museum for emphasizing Hungary's victimhood under foreign regimes, with less attention given to the role played by Hungarians in these regimes. Additionally, critics note that the museum dedicates more space to the communist terror than to the fascist period. However, the museum's curators have defended this choice, explaining that while the German occupation and the fascist regime of Ferenc Szálasi lasted less than a year, the communist regime lasted for four decades. The museum also points out that the Hungarian Holocaust has its own dedicated museum. Despite these critiques, the House of Terror remains an important site of reflection on Hungary's troubled 20th-century history."

"The House of Terror in Budapest is a museum dedicated to the history of the Nazi and Soviet occupation of Hungary during the 20th century. The museum, also called Terror Haza, is located in a house that was used as the headquarters of the secret political police during the period of the communist dictatorship in Hungary. The exhibition features authentic period objects, photographs, documents and films, to give visitors a more complete understanding of the country's history. 👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Hungarian State Opera (700m, 10 min) Metro stop: Oktogon, Line M1. 🎟️Ticket cost: full price 2000 HUF (€6,50), reduced price 1000 HUF (€3,30)."

"Definitely a dark topic, but worth it for history buffs/ people who could handle it. Great immersive crash course if you have no basis for Hungarian history and politics. Information is well presented without being overwhelming. "