The Great Synagogue in Budapest:
A Complete Guide
- attractionsthings to do
- January 12, 2024
The Great Synagogue of Budapest, also known as the Dohány Street Synagogue, Nagy zsinagóga or Tabakgasse Synagogue, holds a central place in Hungary’s religious life. As the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest globally and situated in Pest’s Jewish Quarter, it forms a complex that includes the Heroes’ Temple, a cemetery, a Memorial, and the Jewish Museum.
In this guide, we’ll talk about the rich history and cultural significance of this iconic building, while also providing essential practical information to visit the Synagogue, from admission prices to opening hours and visitor’s tips.
QUICK NAVIGATION LINKS
• Key facts
• History
• Architecture
• Tickets
• What comes with the ticket
• Ticket prices
• Budapest Synagogue tours
• How to visit the Great Synagogue
• Opening hours
• What to expect
• Synagogue’s interior
• Heroes’ Temple
• Jewish Museum
• Memorial Park and the Tree of Life
• Lapidarium
• Cemetery
• How to get there
• Is the Budapest Synagogue worth visiting?
ℹ️ Key highlights
• Largest synagogue in mainland Europe and second largest in the world
• Sitting capacity for 3,000 people
• Blend of architectural styles: Moorish, Bizantine, Romantic and Gothic
• Considered as a center of Neolog Judaism
• Closely associated to the Holocaust’s memory
• Houses the Hungarian Jewish Museum, its archives, the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park and the Emmanuel Memorial Tree.
A bit of History
The Budapest Synagogue, erected between 1854 and 1859, endured the trials of time. It faced the harrowing bombings of 1939, orchestrated by the Hungarian pro-Nazi Arrow Cross Party and the German aviation during the Siege of Budapest.
During World War II, it served diverse purposes, ranging from a base for German Radio to a makeshift stable. The Holocaust’s memory is closely tied to the historic Jewish quarter and the Synagogue, as the Dohány Street marked the ghetto’s border, and nearby lies the resting place of nearly 2600 Holocaust victims. Post-war, amidst Hungary’s Communist era, it once again became a spiritual haven for the diminished Jewish community.
A significant turning point occurred in 1991 when extensive renovations commenced, generously funded by both the state and private contributions. These efforts culminated in the synagogue’s complete restoration in 1998. Today, the Synagogue serves as both a place of worship and a venue for cultural events, like music concerts.
Architecture of the Great Synagogue in Budapest
Designed by Ludwig Förster, a Christian architect from Vienna, the synagogue boasts a unique architectural fusion: its Moorish-revival style incorporates elements from North African and Medieval Spanish architecture, while also drawing inspiration from Byzantine, Romantic, and Gothic styles. The iconic onion domes, reminiscent of Eastern European churches, grace its twin octagonal towers.
Synagogue's exterior - a testament to the complexities of the era
Before you step foot inside the Synagogue, take a moment to admire its remarkable exterior. The exterior of the building spans an impressive 75 meters in length and 27 meters in width. Its distinctive features include two soaring onion domes, rising to a height of 43 meters, and a captivating rose stained-glass window gracing the main entrance.
As you gaze upon the synagogue’s façade, you’ll notice intricate geometric shapes, warm hues, and Arabesque decorations, both outside and inside the building. These elements not only enhance its aesthetic appeal but also reflect its dual identity as a Jewish temple designed by a Christian architect in a style inspired by Islamic architecture—a testament to the complexities of the era.
They also mirror the spirit of the times, and the desire of the Jewish community in Budapest to assimilate into Hungarian culture carried out by the Neolog faction of Judaism, which sought integration while preserving religious traditions.
Tickets to Budapest Synagogue
Getting inside the Great Synagogue of Budapest isn’t free; you can buy your tickets online or in presence.
What comes with the ticket
Tickets grant access to the Great Synagogue’s Complex: that means entry to the Synagogue, the Hungarian Jewish Museum, the Budapest Ghetto exhibitions in the Cellar, the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park, the Lapidarium, and the Synagogue’s cemetery.
If you buy your ticket online, you’ll get expedited entry and a guided tour included in the price, which you can opt to have in different languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Hebrew, and Hungarian.
How much does it cost to go to the synagogue in Budapest?
Tickets cost HUF 10.800 (around $31 USD), though in some cases the price might be cheaper. Here’s the full ticket price list:
- Adults: 10.800 Ft
- Students (with International student card – ISIC): 8.600 Ft
- Children (aged 6-12): 4.000 Ft
- Children under 6: free entry
- Family (2 adults, minimum 2 children from 6 to 12 years old): 25.000 Ft
Budapest Synagogue Tours
There are the standard tours provided by the synagogue, but there’s also other companies providing different guided tours, some of them including other important sites for the Jewish Community in Budapest. These are all the options:
- Standard ticket includes a guided tour to the Synagogue: adults pay HUF 10.800
- Ticket to tour the Jewish Quarter (includes 4 synagogues), also from the official website: HUF 32,700
- Getyourguide.com – tours provided by listed independent companies, which might include other sites and have different prices
How to visit the Great Synagogue: important info
The building is a holy place, and for that reason there are certain requirements you’ll have to meet. Here’s the most important:
1. Men are required to have their heads covered upon entry. If you have a hat or cap, please wear it. You will also receive a ‘kippah’ at the entrance, which must be worn within the complex at all times.
2. You won’t be allowed inside if you’re wearing clothes that aren’t suitable for the temple, like sleeveless tops, short skirts, or shorts. You can buy clothing items on spot if needed.
3. Tickets are valid for 2 days.
4. There will be a security check at the entrance, during which you should remove all metal objects and phones.
5. Backpacks larger than hand-luggage aren’t be allowed.
6. If you see unattended bags or packages, inform security right away.
Opening hours in 2024
January – February 2024:
- Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Entry and cash register closing: 3:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Entry and cash register closing: 1:00 pm
- Closed on Saturdays
March – April 2024:
- Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Entry and cash register closing: 5:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Entry and cash register closing: 3:00 pm
May – September 2024:
- Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Entry and cash register closing: 7:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Entry and cash register closing: 3:00 pm
October 2024:
- Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Entry and cash register closing: 5:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Entry and cash register closing: 3:00 pm
November – December 2024:
- Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Entry and cash register closing: 3:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Entry and cash register closing: 1:00 pm
- Closed on Saturdays
Holidays:
- 18th January: Open from 12:00 pm
- 15th March: Closed
- 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 29th, 30th April: Closed
- 28th April: Open until 2:00 pm
- 11th June: Open until 2:00 pm
- 12th, 13th June: Closed
- 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 11th, 12th, 17th, 18th, 23rd, 24th, 25th October: Closed
- 16th October: Open until 2:00 pm
- 1st November: Closed
- 24th and 25th December: Closed
Synagogue in Budapest: what to expect
Upon entering the synagogue, you’ll encounter a spacious interior spanning 1,200 square meters and towers reaching 44 meters in height.
Interior: beautiful, majestic and musical
Adorned with geometric frescoes, the Great Synagogue is a testament to the work of Hungarian romantic architect Frigyes Feszl. And the nave, supported by a single-span cast iron structure, stretches 12 meters wide. It provides seating downstairs for 1,497 men, and 1,472 in the galleries for women.
Another noteworthy aspect of the Great Synagogue is its inclusion of a pipe organ and a cemetery, distinguishing it from other synagogues. The original 5,000-pipe organ, played by renowned musicians like Franz Liszt and Camille Saint-Saëns, was built in 1859. In 1996, a new mechanical organ with 63 voices and four manuals was installed, adding to the synagogue’s musical heritage.
For a good example, take a moment to watch Xaver Varnus in action at the Budapest Great Synagogue:
The Heroes' Temple
If you enter the synagogue, you’ll also get to see the Heroes’ Temple, an integral component of the Dohány Street Synagogue.
The Jewish Museum
Your admission ticket to the Great Synagogue also grants you access to the Jewish Museum, located next to the Dohány Street Synagogue.
This museum was founded in the early 20th century to showcase the Jewish community’s heritage. Initially conceived during the 1896 millennial celebrations, the museum started with around 1,500 artifacts in an apartment in downtown Budapest. In 1932, it found its current home, blending seamlessly with the architectural style of the area. During the 1930s, the museum played a crucial role in highlighting the active involvement of Hungarian Jews throughout history and providing a platform for Jewish artists.
In 1942, during the German occupation, employees of the Hungarian National Museum bravely hid the museum’s valuable artifacts in a cellar, ensuring their preservation. Today, overseen by the Alliance of Jewish Communities in Hungary, the Hungarian Jewish Museum stands as Europe’s second-largest Jewish museum, with a diverse collection chronicling the enduring legacy of Hungarian Jewish communities.
The Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park and the Emmanuel Memorial Tree
The Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park, located in the rear courtyard of the Dohány Street Synagogue, pays homage to the 400,000 Hungarian Jewish martyrs who fell victim to the Nazis.
The park features a poignant weeping willow sculpture, called the Emmanuel Memorial Tree (also known as the Holocaust Tree of Life Memorial), with its metallic leaves bearing the names of the victims. Envisioned by Tony Curtis and completed by sculptor Imre Varga, this tree stands as a tribute to Jewish rescuers, with memorial plaques commemorating their heroism.
Additionally, the park honors Righteous Among the Nations, including Swiss Vice-consul Carl Lutz, Ángel Sanz Briz, Giorgio Perlasca, and Mons. Angelo Rotta, who saved thousands of Hungarian Jews.
The Lapidarium
The Lapidarium, situated behind the Synagogue, preserves the old tombstones, replaced during the Dohány Street cemetery renovation. It showcases memorial plaques and inscribed stones, including the exquisite epigraph from the Synagogue’s facade, offering a poignant glimpse into Jewish heritage from the 1800s.
The Cemetery
The synagogue’s cemetery, a rare sight in Jewish tradition, was born out of necessity during World War II. Following the ghetto’s liberation in 1945, it became a final resting place for over 3,000 unburied corpses, with 24 common graves holding 1,140 known and 1,170 unknown martyrs, overlooking Wesselényi Street.
How to get to the Great Synagogue
To reach the Great Synagogue in Budapest, you have several convenient options. You can hop on subway line M2 and disembark at Astoria station. Alternatively, buses 7 and 7A, as well as tramways 47 and 49, also provide easy access to Dohány Street Synagogue.
Is the Budapest Synagogue worth visiting?
The Great Synagogue of Budapest is absolutely worth the visit, both because of its beauty and its historical significance. Easily identifiable by its black and gold bulb-shaped domes and ochre-colored brickwork, it’s the largest active synagogue in Europe, and houses the Hungarian Jewish Museum, its archives, the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park and the Emmanuel Memorial Tree.
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