1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
PoliticsHungary

Hungary: Lifting the lid on Orban-era government luxury

04:52

This browser does not support the video element.

June 1, 2026

Hungary's new prime minister, Peter Magyar, has opened Budapest's Castle District — home to Viktor Orban's former seat of power — to the public for the first time in years. Many are astonished by what they can see.

The new Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar has reopened parts of Budapest's Castle District, which were closed to the public for many years. 

The area includes the former Carmelite Monastery, which housed former Prime Minister Viktor Orban's office, and other key government buildings that were restored or rebuilt during Orban's time in power.

Visitors can now enter spaces that became symbols of political power and secrecy during the Orban era. Some seem to be impressed by the architecture and interiors, while others see the buildings as examples of excessive public spending. 

Architects and political analysts have questioned both the historical authenticity of the reconstruction projects and the scale of the luxury renovations at a time of economic hardship and rising inflation in Hungary.

Skip next section DW's Top Story

DW's Top Story

Skip next section More stories from DW

More stories from DW