House of Terror Museum

The building at Andrássy út 60 has a dark and storied past, originally serving as the headquarters for the Hungarian far-right Arrow Cross Party in 1944. During this brief but brutal period, the basement was used as a prison and torture chamber for those deemed enemies of the Nazi-aligned regime. The site earned the name 'House of Loyalty,' though it was a place of immense suffering and fear for the local population. After World War II ended, the building did not find peace; instead, it was occupied by the communist secret police, known as the AVO and later the AVH. From 1945 to 1956, the communist regime expanded the basement into a labyrinth of cells, using the site to interrogate, torture, and execute dissidents. It became the most feared address in Budapest, symbolizing the transition from one form of totalitarianism to another. Following the fall of communism, the building was transformed into a museum which opened its doors in 2002. Designed by architect Attila F. Kovács, the museum serves as a monument to the victims of both the Nazi and Soviet occupations. It utilizes immersive exhibits and multi-sensory displays to educate the public about the horrors of the 20th century, ensuring that the history of those who suffered within its walls is never forgotten.