# Hungarian government spending at Karmelita monastery > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hungarian-government-spending-at-karmelita-monastery > Updated: 2026-08-22T11:05:00.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. Public records revealed that the Hungarian government spent over 1.5 billion forints to refurbish the Karmelita monastery, which serves as the prime ministerial office. The expenditures included 270 million forints for an organ, 266 million for Secession-Art Deco style lamps, and 179 million for a painting by Kisléghi Nagy Ádám. Some items, such as 151 million forints worth of custom furniture, were reportedly procured without a tender under a government decree. Subsequent reporting by The New York Times offered a different perspective on the site. An on-site assessment suggested the interior did not match previous descriptions of extreme luxury provided by political figures. The report described the atmosphere as resembling a ‘high-end boutique hotel’ rather than an ostentatious palace, noting that certain areas, such as a relaxation room near the former office, maintained a ‘monastic simplicity’ with basic furniture. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-22: Karmelita monastery interior lacks expected luxury, New York Times reports A New York Times report describes the Karmelita, Viktor Orbán's former workplace, as resembling a boutique hotel rather than a luxurious palace, contradicting claims of extreme opulence. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karmelita-monastery-interior-lacks-expected-luxury-new-york-times-reports ### 2026-07-31: Hungary spends over 1.5 billion forints on Karmelita monastery luxury upgrades Hungary spent roughly 1.5 bn forints on luxury upgrades for the Karmelita monastery, including 151 m for furniture, 266 m for lamps, 270 m for an organ and 179 m for a painting, many bought without tender. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungary-spends-over-15-billion-forints-on-karmelita-monastery-luxury-upgrades --- Cite as: Hungarian government spending at Karmelita monastery. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hungarian-government-spending-at-karmelita-monastery