What all was hidden in Orban's "secret sanctuary" in a luxuriously restored monastery overlooking the Danube

A former dictator’s private quarters once hidden from public view have become a site of fascination for visitors eager to glimpse the opulence of Hungary's past leadership. The newly restored Carmelite monastery, located along the Danube River, has drawn crowds of Hungarians seeking insight into the inner workings of a regime that ruled the country for nearly two decades. This historic building, dating back to the 17th century, has been transformed into a space open to the public after Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s defeat in April elections ended his long tenure in power. The last three months have seen the premises filled with Hungarian citizens curious about the rooms where Orbán and his government once conducted their affairs. Peter Magyar, Orbán’s successor who took office in May, led a tour through the empty halls of the former administration, calling them “a symbol of wealth, luxury, and lies” during Orbán’s rule. The opening of the renovated monastery, however, left some visitors underwhelmed. While the interior is described as more akin to a luxurious boutique than a grand palace, the space offers a unique opportunity to see how the country was governed from within. Magyar emphasized that Orbán’s electoral loss marked not just a political shift, but a complete change in governance. He referred to this transition as the beginning of a “cleansing operation,” aimed at dismantling the wastefulness of the previous administration. In an interview, Balazs Orbán, the prime minister’s political director, noted that while critics had always accused his party of being authoritarian, they had never crossed the line. He added that Orbán accepted his defeat without protest and did not attempt to retain any offices in the Carmelite monastery. Visitors were given a chance to admire both artistic works displayed on the walls and enjoy panoramic views of Budapest stretching across the Danube. Over 25,000 people have taken part in guided tours, many expressing surprise at the modesty of the space. “I expected more luxury and pomp,” one visitor remarked after a recent visit with her husband. Her spouse echoed similar sentiments, noting he had hoped to find a smoking room, something absent in the monastery, despite its proximity to a separate residence used by Orbán’s chief of staff. There are no signs of extravagant indulgence such as golden bread loaves or gold-plated toilets that were found in the villa of Ukraine’s former leader, Viktor Yanukovych, after his escape to Russia in 2014. Even Orbán’s personal desk was taken away, leaving behind only a faint golden sheen on the elevator doors as the sole hint of excess. The walls are adorned with expensive paintings by renowned Hungarian artists, though all are loaned from the national museum and returned upon Orbán’s departure. A small bedroom adjacent to Orbán’s main office on the second floor is minimalist, featuring a narrow metal bed frame and a wooden cabinet. Magyar, during his visit in May, remarked on the simplicity of the space, calling it “a humble place to rest.” Despite the lack of overt extravagance, the public interest remains high, with the state-owned property agency limiting access to those purchasing tickets online. The waiting list for entry has been filled weeks in advance. During his live broadcast, Magyar focused on two paper cutters left behind by Orbán, using them to criticize the efforts of the previous government to destroy incriminating documents. “Orban and his ministers believed all documents could be destroyed or erased, but I am sure that wasn’t the case,” he concluded.