This exclusive walk takes you inside the former industrial city of Várpalota, built under the first 5-year plan, once bustling with life but now standing ruined, abandoned, and closed to the public. Amongst others, we visit the furnace house where Ryan Gosling walked around in Blade Runner 2049, peak into one of the iconic cooling towers, enter the command room, where the launch of the rocket in the movie Lajko – Gypsy in Space was filmed, and look around in Peace Community Center, where the beautiful spy of Red Sparrow, Jennifer Lawrence, was tested on the tricks of seducing men. We wake memories of the recent past to show you the comrades’ favorite thermal bath and explain who could move into the Stand-by Housing Complex erected right next to the power plant and what wellbeing meant in the Kádár regime. Join us if you are fascinated with retro, like to visit exotic filming locations, and are ready for a unique adventure! (Cover photo: László Tál)
No access? Enter with us!
Meeting point: power plant entrance (take a left at the small rotary after the bus stop at the head of Erőmű Street)
Route: between the buildings of the power plant
Distance covered: 4 km (2.6 mi)
Time: 3 hours
Degree of difficulty: medium
Outfit: sportswear, for the weather, thick-soled shoes that protect your feet, torch
Parking: free parking in front of the power plant entrance
Public transport: To approach the meeting point we suggest that you take the long-distance bus and get off at the stop “Alumíniumkohó bejárati út (Erőmű lakótelep)” by Route 8. From the bus stop siding with the Aluminium smelter (in the direction of Veszprém), walk on the beaten path until the small rotary on Erőmű Street and the entrance gate of the power plant behind it.
Further important information:
Please come without a bag or carry only one small-sized backpack on your back!
Please leave your valuables (jewels, cash, expensive watches, etc.) at home!
We provide you with a safety helmet free of charge, which you will wear during the full length of the walk!
Participation is conditional on general fitness: at one point we walk up eight floors to get to the top of the furnace house.
You can take pictures during the walk, but the tight schedule will not allow us to allocate time for photography. If you are only interested in taking photos of the scene, we suggest registering for our photo tour.
Reminder: you will participate in the walk on your responsibility! The organizer does not take responsibility for any accidents that may happen during the walk!
The recommended lower age limit for this walk is 14!
