Abandoned Soviet Barracks

In the previous century Hungary was occupied by Soviet military forces for decades. This astonishing location is a reminder of this, since it is a vast complex built for the large number of Soviet soldiers. These barracks were built in the period’s characteristic architectural style of minimalism combined with functionalism, all made from concrete. TThe soldiers were stationed on this 36-hectare site in the heart of Hungary, far from any city. Most importantly there are huge soviet apartment blocks built to house the soldiers, where many had to share rooms. To understand the scale, altogether there were more than 360 flats here. Next to halls of residence, better quality flats were built for officers and their families, for whom later on more apartment blocks were added with a café, nursery and school for the officers’ families. Their aim was to create a miniature city, where the occupants would never have to leave since they had everything, which is why although this was a military site, it even had its own theatre, culture center, cinema, gymnasium, restaurant and bar, of which ruins survive today. It was defended by three layers of barbed wire and gunmen, which was no wonder since it even had its own temporary atomic missile container to secure. Until 1991, this territory counted as part of the Soviet Union, but then due to the political change, the soldiers left the country and this place has never been inhabited since. As it is so isolated, without a city nearby, there is no incentive for it to be renovated, therefore these buildings have been standing and rotting away for decades. So they are in a ruined state, disintegrating and becoming a truly atmospheric ghost town, perfect for productions, which is why it is guarded even today by a private company.