Dohány Street Synagogue

Budapest, Hungary

The Dohány Street Synagogue is the largest synagogue in Europe and one of the largest in the world. It seats 3,000 people and is a centre of Neolog Judaism.

The synagogue was built between 1854 and 1859 in the Moorish Revival style, with the decoration based chiefly on Islamic models from North Africa and medieval Spain (the Alhambra). The synagogue's Viennese architect, Ludwig Förster, believed that no distinctively Jewish architecture could be identified, and thus chose 'architectural forms that have been used by oriental ethnic groups that are related to the Israelite people, and in particular the Arabs'. The interior design is partly by Frigyes Feszl.

The Dohány Street Synagogue complex consists of the Great Synagogue, the Heroes' Temple, the graveyard, the Memorial and the Jewish Museum, which was built on the site on which Theodore Herzl's house of birth stood. Dohány Street itself, a leafy street in the city center, carries strong Holocaust connotations as it constituted the border of the Budapest Ghetto.

The synagogue was bombed by the Hungarian pro-Nazi Arrow Cross Party on 3 February 1939. Used as a base for German Radio and also as a stable during World War II, the building suffered some severe damage from aerial raids during the Nazi Occupation but especially during the Siege of Budapest. During the Communist era the damaged structure became again a prayer house for the much-diminished Jewish community. Its restoration started in 1991 and ended in 1998. The restoration was financed by the state and by private donations.

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Founded: 1854-1859
Category: Religious sites in Hungary

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Liam Avalon (3 months ago)
Beautiful, historic synagogue. Security is very strict these days. Do not bring any bags with you. My usual camera bag, which is not been a problem in other security places disqualified me from entering in the synagogue. The price of entry is costly, but worth it.
jan kowalski (3 months ago)
Very interesting place especially if you learn its history. Interesting exhibitions about the history of the Jewish people. The only downside is the very high ticket price, so it is worth going only if you are sure that this type of place interests you.
writing traveller (4 months ago)
Very impressive Synagogue. There are no audio guides but inside you can join a guide who explains the history of the building and this Jewish community in a range of languages. The information from the guide was interesting, lively, and catered for a diverse group.
Jodie Hallett (4 months ago)
Such an interesting place! Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and explained so much history relating to the synagogue and the impact history has had upon it.
Josephine Ong (6 months ago)
Was surprised by the presence of a synagogue, and it's supposed to be Europe's largest. As I stepped in, I was wowed by the intricacies of the architecture. It's so different. Something Jewish in European shore. Very precious and rare. A must-see. You entered into a different world in time past. Then there's a mass grave commemorating a part of the 6 million that was killed. There was a tree with metal leaves with names carved on each. Wow! There is a museum upstairs. Very educational for those who are not familiar with Jewish culture. The exhibits enlightened me on some of the things I read in the Old Testament.
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