House of Terror

House of Terror

The House of Terror is a museum located at 60 Andrássy Avenue in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. It officially opened to the public on February 24, 2002, and has been directed by Dr. Mária Schmidt since its inception. The museum’s exterior is black, creating a stark contrast with the other buildings on Andrássy Avenue, making it particularly eye-catching.

The exhibitions inside the House of Terror focus on communism and fascism, as well as materials related to Hungary’s relations with Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. In addition, there are exhibits on Hungarian organizations such as the fascist Arrow Cross Party and the Hungarian State Security Authority (ÁVH), which was similar to the Soviet KGB secret police. Most of the exhibits and materials are in Hungarian, but each room features an extensive information panel in both English and Hungarian. The museum also offers audio guides in English and German.

Some critics have said that the museum portrays Hungary too much as a victim of foreign aggression and does not adequately address the country's own internal issues. Others argue that the museum serves as a "political gimmick" of right-wing groups, reflecting more contemporary politics than balanced historical facts. Despite these criticisms, the House of Terror has become a popular tourist attraction, receiving many positive online reviews and attracting large numbers of visitors—over 1,000 per day since its opening in 2002.

House of Terror

Why Go: The most chilling museum in Budapest

Continent: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region: Hungary

Province/State: Pest County

City: Budapest