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All Hungary Hajmáskér Hajmaskér Barracks

Hajmaskér Barracks

One of the largest barracks of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy's military is now an abandoned ruin.

Hajmáskér, Hungary

Added By
ustrasse
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View from the courtyard.   www.u-strasse.com
View from the courtyard.   www.u-strasse.com
Ghostly hallways   www.u-strasse.com
Russian-language newspapers dating from 1986   www.u-strasse.com
The theatre   www.u-strasse.com
The entryway leading to the courtyard   www.u-strasse.com
The front of the barracks building   www.u-strasse.com
Rickety stairs to top of the tower.   scamb66 / Atlas Obscura User
Nosebleed section   scamb66 / Atlas Obscura User
Bent sundial in the courtyard   scamb66 / Atlas Obscura User
  scamb66 / Atlas Obscura User
From the tower top looking out.   scamb66 / Atlas Obscura User
Hajmáskér Barracks   GeoEdo / Atlas Obscura User
Hajmáskér Barracks   GeoEdo / Atlas Obscura User
Hajmáskér Barracks   GeoEdo / Atlas Obscura User
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  Blindcolour / Atlas Obscura User
  Blindcolour / Atlas Obscura User
  Blindcolour / Atlas Obscura User
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20.10.2019   krisztiandeli25 / Atlas Obscura User
  Blindcolour / Atlas Obscura User
20.10.2019   krisztiandeli25 / Atlas Obscura User
20.10.2019   krisztiandeli25 / Atlas Obscura User
The theater   scamb66 / Atlas Obscura User
  scamb66 / Atlas Obscura User
Abandoned barracks   scamb66 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In a country full of beautiful old castles, from a distance the pointed towers of Hajmáskér's tallest building make it easy to mistake for a palatial palace in the middle of the Hungarian countryside. But upon closer inspection, the grim and dilapidated building begins to reveal its history as one of the largest barracks in Eastern Europe.

A military settlement was established at Hajmáskér at the end of the 19th century by Franz Joseph I. Under his orders, the stately building was constructed as a barracks for artillery units who had been assigned to what would become Hungary's largest artillery range. During World War I, the self-sustaining camp grew so large that it held a POW prison and even had its own currency.

World War II saw the settlement, and the building, change hands as Nazi troops rolled in and established a base. But after the war the Soviet army moved in, remaining residents of the castle-like barracks until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1990. Hajmáskér was then promptly abandoned by the soldiers, though local residents rumour that the troops stripped the building of any valuables they could find on the way out.

In the 25 years since, the building has aged gracefully in some places and disintegrated in others, and the whole area exudes a silent, eerie vibe in the centre of Hajmáskér village. Visitors to the Hajmáskér barracks can sometimes hear ghosts, well, more likely the ghastly howls and whispers of local children who play amongst the decrepit and dangerous ruins.

Related Tags

Abandoned Military History Military

Know Before You Go

Easy to spot from the main highway, on the east side of the town of Hajmaskér

Community Contributors

Added By

ustrasse

Edited By

scamb66, GeoEdo, Blindcolour, krisztiandeli25

  • scamb66
  • GeoEdo
  • Blindcolour
  • krisztiandeli25

Published

September 14, 2015

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Sources
  • http://www.u-strasse.com/hajmasker-and-the-ghostly-castle/
  • http://www.panoramio.com/photo/103976966
  • http://www.1hungary.com/info/hajmasker/
  • http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30039985
  • http://en.tracesofwar.com/article/3601/German-War-Cemetery-Hajm%E1sk%E9r.htm
Hajmaskér Barracks
14 Tábori út
Hajmáskér, 8192
Hungary
47.147994, 18.026605
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Soviet Ghost Town

Veszprém, Hungary

miles away

Fekete Sas Patikamúzeum (Black Eagle Pharmacy Museum)

Székesfehérvár, Hungary

miles away

Gorsium Archaeological Park

Tác, Hungary

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Hungary

Hungary

Europe

Places 104
Stories 2

Nearby Places

Soviet Ghost Town

Veszprém, Hungary

miles away

Fekete Sas Patikamúzeum (Black Eagle Pharmacy Museum)

Székesfehérvár, Hungary

miles away

Gorsium Archaeological Park

Tác, Hungary

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Hungary

Hungary

Europe

Places 104
Stories 2

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