Recski Nemzeti Emlékpark

About the museum

The forced labour camp of Recsk was set up by the Államvédelmi Hatóság (State Protection Authority) in the summer of 1950 at the foot of the Mátra, near the andesite quarry. Some fifteen hundred detainees, drawn from every stratum of Hungarian society, were held there without trial; behind multiple barbed wire they worked in the quarry, starving and under harsh conditions. The camp operated until 1953; its site was later dismantled and reforested.

Survivors founded the Recski Szövetség (Recski Association) in 1988, which erected a memorial in 1991 and then created a memorial park on the site of the former camp; it was inaugurated in 1996. On the land reclaimed from the forest, the foundations of the barracks and the camp roads were laid out, and a realistic barrack was also built, housing an exhibition arranged from collected memories.

At the entrance of the park a replica of the former watchtower welcomes visitors, and the memorial stands behind it. The area can be freely explored; the exhibition venue is open at certain times, and for groups announced in advance a lecture and, on request, a guided tour are given.

Key themes

• Replica of the former watchtower at the entrance
• Realistic barrack with exhibition
• Laid-out barrack foundations and camp roads
• Memorial in honour of those held captive
• Lecture and guided tour for groups by prior registration

Permanent exhibition

• Kiállítás a valósághű barakkban – In the barrack, an exhibition arranged from the memories of former prisoners and from the collection of the Recski Association presents the everyday life of the camp.

Founded

1996

Operated by

Recski Szövetség

Admission & discounts

The symbolic entrance ticket of HUF 800 supports the Recski Association. Admission is free for residents of Recsk.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

Given the gravity of the subject, it is recommended for school-age children and adults.

Getting there & parking

The memorial park is about 6 km from the village centre and is easy to reach by car; the route is signposted throughout.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit