I discovered this underground museum during my research for the lesser known museums of Budapest. I have no idea how I could be so blind; I have walked past it hundreds of times for about 7 years, but I never noticed it. After all, who would expect to see a museum in the underpass? At the same time, it is of course the perfect place for it. I remember that people passing by were looking at us puzzled when we entered the museum; it was obvious that some of them had not noticed the museum before that either.
The museum itself is quite small, about the size of a Metro Line 1 station; it actually was a Millennium underground terminal before it had to be relocated in 1955 due to the construction of Metro Line 2. Regardless of the small size, however, the museum is quite informative assembling a diverse collection of construction plans, photos, old letters, advertisements, and maquettes of the turn of the century Budapest. As the exhibition focuses on the Millennium Underground, naturally there are three original train cars on display here; each of them from a different era, representing the evolution of the underground railway cars. I would have loved to go inside of these cars, but to my disappointment, it was not available; only a few dummies, dressed in period clothing, occupy these old cars. On the bright side though, I was impressed by the English information boards because everything was translated, not only key words or the most important bits.
Why is it called Millennium Underground? - you may ask. Well, apart from the purpose of carrying passengers between the city center and the City Park, the opening of this underground was also a part of the Hungarian Millennium Celebrations in 1896. It was the year of the thousandth anniversary of the Magyars arriving in the Carpathian Basin in 896. On the occasion of this anniversary, Budapest was transforming into a majestic and modern city, and it soon became one of the most beautiful capitals in the world at that time. (For me, it still is.) Numerous new institutions were opened (e.g. Museum of Applied Arts), new buildings constructed (e.g. Liberty Bridge), squares and statues built (Millennium Memorial on Heroes' Square) and the Millennium Underground was one of these new wonders of our capital, while it was also the second electrified underground railway system in the world.
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| This is how the Millennium Underground stations used to look like - was it not majestic? |
This underground, or as we often call it, the Yellow line is actually one of the most beloved parts of the city. It has a unique, nostalgic atmosphere, thanks to the original appearance of the old stations; the railway cars have a very distinct sound; and the small size of the cars make travelling an intimate experience, which I think is a nice change after the impersonal crowd of the other metro lines.
I have slightly gone off track here, but to be honest, I do not wish to spoil the fun by describing everything in detail. I think everyone who has travelled with the yellow line fell a little in love with it so this museum is the perfect place to indulge one's fascination for the Millennium Underground and to learn some fun facts.
Tips and Facts:
- tickets are 280 HUF for students, 350 for adults (usually the same price as one subway ticket)
- the museum shop offers some really cool stuff both for kids and adults
- the museum is in the underground passage leading to the escalators and located next to the ticket clerk station
Budapest, Deak Ter metro station
Tuesday - Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm
