House of Terror Museum

One of the most controversial museums in Budapest is the Terror Háza Múzeum (House of Terror Museum). The museum gives an overview of the repressive regimes that ruled Hungary. First the Nazi Arrow Cross Party (from October 1944 to May 1945), followed by the communist regime. Critics say that the museum pays too much attention to the crimes of communists, while under the short rule of the Arrow Cross Party many Jews, gypsies and other minority groups were deported to concentration camps.

In any case, the museum is housed in an unusual building. From 1940 to 1945 this was the headquarters of the Arrow Cross Party. After the liberation and subsequent occupation of Hungary by the Russian Red Army, the feared communist state police had its home there. In this building, the enemies of both the fascist and communist regimes have been detained and tortured. Later, the cellars of the building (where the cells were) became the base of the communist youth movement.

After the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, there were plans to house a museum in the building. Some of the former cells and interrogation rooms have been reconstructed. Furthermore, photographs, film images and light and sound effects show the horrors that have taken place in this house.

Not a 'nice' museum, but a part of the very recent history of Hungary.