BUNKER MUSEUM

[Ylene]

I was in Budapest, the capital of Hungary in summer. There is a lot of information about the amenities and the sights of this city in every guide to Hungary. However, I would like to tell you about the thing that is rarely mentioned, about bunker museum within the Citadel fortress at the top of the Gellert hill. Austrians built the Citadel in the middle of 19th century after the revolt against Habsburgs. The main function of the building was to present a constant threat to rebellious Hungarians. However, after the establishment of the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy in 1867, the fortress became unnecessary as a defence. During WWII Germans built a bunker inside the Citadel and together with the fortress, it was used as an anti-aircraft defence position. A reinforced concrete 3-level bunker is a great construction with many sections, deep mines and secret passages; it was used as the caserns, as a hospital and as an ammunition depot. Nowadays there is a historical military museum inside the bunker. It features an exhibition with waxworks, agitation posters, uniforms and military equipment, and there are many archival photos about "the siege of Budapest".

Originally from my lj-community:
http://community.livejournal.com/military_fetish/4096.html

[Ylene]

I've never heard about "Secret Military Hospital and Nuclear Bunker", so thank you for the information. In real, people try to avoid mentioning such kind of places that's why they are almost unknown... I've got to know about the Citadel due to my friend, who stumbled upon this museum (as you) by chance, when he was walking around Budapest... And yeah, you are right the exhibition is not so great, but I was interested rather in this bunker than in its modern contents.

[K Albert]

I wanted to visit the "Secret Military Hospital and Nuclear Bunker" (http://www.sziklakorhaz.hu/), but the tickets were to expensive. But I had luck and stumbled upon this museum, on the Citadel. The exhibition is not flawless, but it's nice. Another bunker will be opened to visitors soon (or is already opened) around Budapest.