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

Regis Firmin (31 days ago)
It is a beautiful synagogue and a historical site and all, but the price for the admission ticket is ridiculous - 10.800 forint which means 27 euros per person, which makes it more expensive than the Eiffel Tower or any attraction in Paris or London. That’s absolutely crazy, especially for Eastern Europe / Hungary. Beautiful but after I made the math / conversion and realized how much it had cost me (and how it was more expensive than a night at my hotel room), I couldn’t enjoy the place…
Bobby C (41 days ago)
Great Synagogue is exactly that as it is indeed a large edifice. The exterior is clearly inspired by middle eastern architecture, but it isn't awe inspiring in any way. The lines and detail are fairly pedestrian, but it's the indoor portion that you'll want to see. Access is permitted with a ticked, which is pretty expensive for Budapest, and the lines can get long as it is a regular stop for many tours.
Steve Warne (44 days ago)
Quite an experience to visit this lovely building, the second largest synagogue in the world. It looks like a church for a reason but I'll let you visit and find that out. The monuments to the Hungarian Jews killed in 1945 to homegrown Nazis are very moving. Take the free tour, they start every half hour.
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.
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