Thanks to the joint efforts of local law enforcement organizations and Laczkó Dezső Museum, the dungeon of Veszprém Castle opened its gates in May 2015. Ever since the prison’s construction in the 17th century, rumors have circulated about the various horrors that were going on here over the years: while the underground chamber has a capacity to hold 55 prisoners, there were times when it was allegedly filled with as many as 250.
The permanent exhibition “Life three storeys below ground – A castle dungeon in the 21st century” is not only about the dungeon, but also about the people that were once held in it: the cell of Cardinal Mindszenty, imprisoned by the Arrow Cross Party, is open to visitors, and so is the one that is supposed to have held the famous bandit Jóska Sobri. (Rumor or not, the door of the cell has been put on display at the Correctional Facility of Veszprém County.)
Tip: The memorial room commemorating the Hungarian revolution of 1956 was inaugurated in 2016: the grim iron crosses inside represent the victims, while the stories of the freedom fighters are told outside in the corridor.
