View source for F-4 Object

{{Short description|Nuclear shelter in Budapest, Hungary}}
{{Infobox military structure
| native_name   = F-4 objektum (F/4 objektum, Rákosi-bunker)
| partof        = 
| location      = [[Budapest]], [[Hungary]]
| coordinates   = {{wikidatacoord|display=it}}
| image         = F4 Szab ter.JPG
| image_size    = 200px
| caption       = The emergency exit and air vent next to the former headquarters of the [[Hungarian Television]] ([[Szabadság tér]])
| code          = 
| built         = May 1, 1952–1963<ref name="bunk2" />
| materials     = 
| used          = never
| controlledby  = [[Hungary]], [[Budapesti Közlekedési Zrt.|Budapest Transportation Company (BKV)]]
}}

The '''F-4 Object''' (publicly often known as the '''[[Mátyás Rákosi|Rákosi]]-bunker''', {{langx|hu|F-4 objektum/Rákosi-bunker}}) is a formerly secret nuclear shelter under the [[Inner City (Budapest)|downtown of Budapest]]. It is located 45<ref name="bunk2">[http://epiteszforum.hu/legendak-helyett-tenyek-az-f4-rol-rakosi-bunkererol Legendák helyett tények az F4-ről, Rákosi bunkeréről (Facts about Rákosi bunker), Balázs Szabó, Építész Fórum]</ref>-50<ref name="bunk">[http://hirszerzo.hu/hirek/2008/9/11/79401_ide_bujt_volna_rakosi_az_atombomba_elol Ide bújt volna Rákosi az atombomba elől (Report from the bunker), Hírszerző]</ref> metres below the surface, several kilometres long approximately in a "H" shape between [[Kossuth tér]] and [[Szabadság tér]]. It has a direct connection to the [[Line 2 (Budapest Metro)|Line 2 of the Budapest Metro]] and a closed tunnel to the [[Hungarian Parliament Building]].<ref name="bunk" /><ref>{{cite web | url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/budapest-m1-europe-oldest-metro-network/index.html | title=Budapest M1: Inside continental Europe's oldest metro network | date=19 December 2018 }}</ref> According to other sources, the bunker has a connection with the former headquarters of the [[Hungarian Working People's Party]] (located over the structure), and there is no tunnel to the Parliament Building.<ref name="bunk2" />

== History ==
Its construction began in 1952<ref name="bunk2" /> parallel with the [[Budapest Metro|metro]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/budapest-m1-europe-oldest-metro-network/index.html | title=Budapest M1: Inside continental Europe's oldest metro network | date=19 December 2018 }}</ref> Its goal was to provide shelter to [[Mátyás Rákosi]] and the Central Committee members of the [[Hungarian Working People's Party]] in case of a possible [[nuclear weapon|nuclear raid]], as well as to provide space for offices of the Parliament. When the danger is over, they were supposed to take the metro to [[Budapest Keleti pályaudvar|Eastern railway station]] and then change to an [[armoured train]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/budapest-m1-europe-oldest-metro-network/index.html | title=Budapest M1: Inside continental Europe's oldest metro network | date=19 December 2018 }}</ref> It was made technologically similarly to a metro (it resembles metro stations and tunnels), so the workers were informed they were building the metro. According to rumours, hundreds of prisoners worked at the construction, while in fact this work was done by miners.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}

The object, suitable to accommodate 2,200 people,<ref name="bunk2" /> with an area of 3,500–3,800 square metres, was completed in 1962 or 1963.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://dailynewshungary.com/hungary-underground-the-secret-bunker-near-the-parliament-in-budapest/ | title=Hungary underground: The secret bunker near the Parliament in Budapest | date=29 September 2022 }}</ref> It was equipped with an [[air filter]]ing mechanism with a capacity of 4,000 cubic metres, appropriate to filter out [[Radioactive decay|radioactive]] dust. A water reservoir of 150 cubic metres and a [[Electrical generator|generator]] was also installed, capable of producing 30&nbsp;kW of electricity. An emergency exit was created next to the [[Hungarian Television]] headquarters, also serving for ventilation. The object, resembling a labyrinth, houses a separate council hall, intended for the leaders of the country to debate the current tasks. Though never used, it was kept at the ready until the mid-1970s.<ref name="bunk2"/>

The shelter was revealed to the public in the 1994 documentary film titled ''Pincebörtön'' (Cellar Prison) by Zoltán Dézsi.

==Present state==
Its status has considerably degraded. However, the ventilator, the generator, and the other technical appliances work properly, they are maintained regularly and checked every week. Former furniture and equipment were carried away as early as during the [[détente]] of the [[Cold War]]. Since then, it has been completely empty and unused. It is owned by the state and controlled by the [[Budapesti Közlekedési Zrt.|BKV]] (Budapest Transport Company).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://dailynewshungary.com/hungary-underground-the-secret-bunker-near-the-parliament-in-budapest/ | title=Hungary underground: The secret bunker near the Parliament in Budapest | date=29 September 2022 }}</ref> It is visited by BKV's maintenance personnel every week, and its technical appliances are checked for functioning.

The entrance of the shelter is available from the inner courtyard of a [[Classicism|Classicistic]] block of flats in [[Lipótváros]] (Steindl Imre utca 12.),<ref>Pest Megye Önkormányzatának Közlönye, Year 2002, Issue 8, July 22, 2002</ref> this is where the high concrete cylinder can be found from which it is possible to reach the shelter by an elevator or by stairs – there are 283 stairs leading down to the depth. This courtyard can be accessed through the iron gate in the courtyard of the house on the opposite side (Zoltán utca 13.). Earlier, it was qualified as a strategically strictly confidential object of civil defence. Its visit was strictly regulated, and it was only to be seen after signing a statement of secrecy.

One of the entrances to the shelter was pulled down in 2009. The total number of entrances and tunnels is unknown.<ref name="bunk"/>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Budapest, Rákosi-bunker, F4 objektum.jpg
Budapest, Rákosi-bunker, F4 objektum, 2.jpg
Budapest, Rákosi-bunker, F4 objektum, 5.jpg
Budapest, Rákosi-bunker, F4 objektum, 6.jpg
Budapest, Rákosi-bunker, F4 objektum, 7.jpg
Budapest, Rákosi-bunker, F4 objektum, 8.jpg
Budapest, Rákosi-bunker, F4 objektum, 9.jpg
Budapest, Rákosi-bunker, F4 objektum, 10.jpg
Budapest, Rákosi-bunker, F4 objektum, 11.jpg
Budapest, Rákosi-bunker, F4 objektum, 12.jpg
</gallery>

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bokdbMZDX3o The F4 object] (video report)
* [http://www.fn.hu/belfold/20071114/bejutottunk_bkv_titkos_parlamenti/ Bejutottunk a BKV titkos parlamenti óvóhelyére] FigyelőNet, 2007. November 16. 07:00
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110721103705/http://www.168ora.hu/cikk.php?id=10313 A rejtélyes F4-es objektum] 168 Óra Online, 2008. április 24. 15:11
* [http://index.hu/tudomany/tortenelem/rakbu080911/ Máig rejtegetik Rákosi szupertitkos bunkerét] (Index)
* [http://www.origo.hu/techbazis/20080912-latogatas-a-kossuth-teri-foldalatti-rakosibunkerben.html Rákosi bunkere a Kossuth téren] (Origo)
* [http://www.fn.hu/kultura/20080911/ma_is_titkos_rakosi_belvarosi/ Ma is titkos Rákosi belvárosi atombunkere] (FigyelőNet)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090116192943/http://reggel.hu/index.php?apps=cikk&cikk=109446 Talpunk alatt egy atombunker] (Reggel.hu)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081014041609/http://www.stop.hu/articles/article.php?id=381135 Titkos Rákosi-bunker Budapesten, 15 emelet mélységben!] (Stop.hu)
* [http://www.mult-kor.hu/cikk.php?id=21598 Történelemóra Rákosi Mátyás titkos bunkerében] (Múlt-kor)
{{Budapest}}
{{Subterranea of Budapest}}

[[Category:Hungarian People's Republic]]
[[Category:Belváros-Lipótváros]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Budapest]]
[[Category:Budapest Metro]]
[[Category:Military history of Budapest]]<!-- it's physically connected to the metro -->
[[Category:Continuity of government]]
[[Category:Government of Hungary]] <!-- it was built for the government -->
[[Category:Nuclear bunkers in Europe]]