Rákosi bunker

The Rákosi bunker is a military underground facility beneath Budapest containing interconnected corridors and rooms spread across multiple levels. The structure was designed to serve as a command center with various compartments for different functions.

Construction began in 1952 under dictator Mátyás Rákosi as a protection against potential nuclear attacks during Cold War tensions. The project reflected fears of the Soviet-controlled Hungarian leadership.

This shelter demonstrates how Soviet-backed Communist leaders prepared for nuclear war by building fortified underground spaces for themselves. The rooms reveal the fear that shaped decisions during the Cold War period.

Access is through a building on Steindl Imre Street, where visitors can either take an elevator or walk down a long staircase. The facility is well-located in central Budapest and offers flexible entry options.

The shelter was specifically designed to protect dictator Rákosi and around 250 Communist Party members from nuclear threats. The underground rooms reveal how the country's elite sought personal safety during global tensions.