The Great Synagogue in Budapest is not your typical Jewish temple. If you ever visited a synagogue before you probably noticed they are quite simple and austere places of prayer. But not this one!
Located on the Pest side of Budapest, in the Jewish Quarter, the Great Synagogue stands tall and majestic. This is the largest Jewish temple in Europe and the second largest one in the world.
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The History of the Great Synagogue in Budapest
The second half of the 19th century was a period of prosperity for the Jewish community of Hungary. As a result, the Jews founded many institutions during this period, including the Great Synagogue in Budapest.
The building was designed by Ludwig Förster, a German architect who believed that there was no distinctively Jewish architecture. As a result, he chose “architectural forms that have been used by the Israelite people.” The construction ended in 1859.
At the time, the Great Synagogue in Budapest was quite an architectural achievement. With its golden dome and its lavish interior, the synagogue was the pride of the Jewish community in Budapest.
Sine Jews have always been entrepreneurial merchants, many of them were very affluent people. Therefore, it comes to no surprise that there is so much opulence in this synagogue
During World War II, the Germans used the synagogue as a radio communication center. As many other structures in Budapest, the synagogue suffered a lot of damage during the bombings of 1944. The building remained in a state of total disrepair until the 1990s, when a full-scale restoration began.
What to Expect Inside the Jewish Synagogue of Budapest
The Great Synagogue in Budapest has a central nave resembling that of a cathedral. The nave has Moorish decorations with a mixture of Byzantine and Gothic elements.
The interior walls have oriental motifs in shades of pink. There are beautiful frescoes and ornaments, many chandeliers, lamp-brackets, a beautiful pulpit and even an organ.
In line with the ancient Jewish tradition, at the east wall of the Synagogue stands the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark contains the Torah scrolls (the first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible).
During the World War II a couple of Catholic monks hid the scrolls, thus saving them from the Germans. The scrolls were returned to the Jewish community.
On top of the synagogues you can see the stone tablets with the ten commandments. Above the main entrance gate there is an inscription in Hebrew. The inscription reads: “And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25,8).
Today the synagogue’s community is more inclined toward integration into the Hungarian society. As such, they practice a less traditional form of Judaism which allows women to sit in the same room as men. In the same new spirit, they allow organ music during the ceremonies.
The Great Synagogue Complex
The synagogue complex consists of the Great Synagogue, the Heroes’ Temple, the Cemetery, the Holocaust Memorial and the Jewish Museum.
The Heroes’ Temple was added to the complex in 1931. The Temple is a memorial to the Hungarian Jews who lost their lives during World War I. The temple can seat about 250 people and serves as the meeting place for religious services during winter time.
In the backyard of the Synagogue there is a small Jewish Cemetery. This may come as a surprise, as it’s not customary to have a cemetery next to a synagogue. However, this burial place was the result of a historical circumstance.
During the winter of 1944-45 over 2,000 people died in the Jewish ghetto. Since they couldn’t find any other place to bury them, the community created a mass grave in the back of the Synagogue.
The Holocaust Jewish Memorial sits in the rear courtyard, behind the Synagogue and the Heroes’ Temple. It resembles a willow tree on whose leaves are the names of the 400,000 Hungarian Jews who died by the hands of the Nazis in WWII.
The Jewish Museum is adjacent to the synagogue. The museum features Jewish traditions, costumes, as well a detailed history of Hungarian Jews.
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Tips for Visiting the Jewish Synagogue in Budapest
You can visit the Great Synagogue in Budapest every day of the week except for Saturdays, during their prayer services. Guided tours in several languages are available between 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
The tours are very informative and even entertaining, therefore I highly reccoment booking one if you plan to visit the synagogue complex. You’ll hear amusing stories and get valuable insights into the Jewish community in Budapest.
Inside the synagogue men have to wear a small skullcap called kipah or yarmulke (handed out at the entrance). Women have to have their shoulders covered.
The Great Synagogue in Budapest is primarily a house of prayer and worship, but it occasionally hosts cultural events and music programs. Visiting it is a must of you have at least 3 days in Budapest.
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Bryna - Dotted Line Travels
The Great Synagogue looks so beautiful both inside and out. And the willow tree memorial is a beautiful way to remember those who lost their lives because of the Holocaust.
Rhonda Albom
The Great Synagogue in Budapest looks absolutely stunning. I like the mix of architectural styles including the towers that could easily be thought of as minarets. I like that the complex includes educational and memorial parts to explain the past and recent history of the Jewish people.
Anda Galffy
If you are ever in Budapest, you should go visit it, Rhonda.
California Globetrotter
Wow what a beautiful synogague!! I didn’t know about this one on our first visit!! Will definitely have to check it out! Love the history and the intricate patterns!
Dorothy
As I read your post, I wondered how the Great Synagogue in Budapest survived World War II. I’m glad that they were able to restore it to its original magnificence and honor the Hungarian Jews who died at the hands of the Nazis.
Elaine Masters
Visiting this Synagogue was a highlight of my Budapest trip. So much sorrow and beauty. I’m very impressed by the tours in many languages and the touching stories. May the world never forget or repeat the atrocities.
Anda Galffy
You are so right, Elaine!
Cynthia | Adventuring Woman
How incredibly beautiful and unusual. Budapest is high on my list of places I really want to go, and I will be sure to visit this synagogue when I do. I appreciate the historical background on the Jewish community in Budapest. It’s shocking that 400,000 Hungarian Jews were murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust. The synagogue itself is a meaningful memorial.
Mary {The World Is A Book}
What a beautiful building inside and out. This is definitely a very ornate one and I love the details. I’d love to visit Budapest one day soon and this would be on my must see list. The Holocaust Jewish Memorial is so special and what a great and unique tribute.
Rob
We are always moved by the beautiful architecture, art, and detail in religious buildings of all types. The Great Synagogue in Budapest is no exception, and so unique in its Moorish style and decidedly Catholic elements. That makes it seem inviting and all-encompassing to us. Perhaps that inspires the congregation to be more integrating and modern. The complex looks so peaceful and pretty, and the interiors are just stunning. Thanks for putting the complex on our radar, Anda!
Donna Janke
The Budapest Great Synagogue is stunning. If I get to Budapest I will definitely take the tour to see it and hear about its history.
Sara
Wow, this is a lovely synogouge! I’br only seen the outside and the Tree of Rememberance. I’d love to do the guided tour though.
Esther
I simply love that building and have visited it every time I went to Budapest!
Anda Galffy
I like it too, Esther. It’s such a beautifully ornate place of worship.
Jessica Norah
Wow, really beautiful interior! It is great that the ticket also gets you into other sites as well.
Emese
Beautiful! And so much history… I never visited this Synagogue. I’ll have to make it a point to get there next time I visit Budapest. Thanks for the tour, Anda.
Anisa
Beautiful. I wanted to see the Synagogue when I was in Budapest, but just didn’t have time. Hopefully, I can see it next time I’m there.
Kristy
The Synagogue is beautiful! I cannot pick the right word to describe it while looking at the pictures here, I think it will be more awesome if I can see it for real. I hope I can also go there someday but for the mean time I will jot it down on my bucket list of must go places.
Anda Galffy
I hope you’ll visit the Great Synagogue in Budapest someday, Kristy.
Anda Galffy
Thank you Vlad. By all means, go visit it on your next trip to Budapest. You won’t regret it.
Suze The Luxury Columnist
I never visited the Great Synagogue in Budapest, I was there briefly to run a half marathon (of which enough said!) but I would love to return. The synagogue in Rome where I was recently looked very impressive too
Jolanta aka Casual Traveler
What a beautiful and ornately decorated place! Thank you for sharing all those gorgeous photos. It’s so good that the synagogue was restored to its former glory. That’s quite a landmark.
Jessica @ Independent Travel Cats
Wow, that first photo is really stunning! I have not been in very few Jewish synagogues and didn’t realize they could be so ornate.
Victoria @celebratetheweekend
I think my first comment disappeared. Thank you for this enlightening post, Anda. I do wonder why the temple is Moorish in style..and whether there are other similar ones in Europe.
Anda Galffy
The synagogue was built in Moorish style because Jews didn’t have a personal architectural style at the time. The architect who built the synagogue tried to use a style that would be characteristic for Asia Minor and the Moorish style was the closest. I don’t know if there are other similar one in Europe, but I know for sure the one in New York is built in the same style.
Rhonda Albom
Wow. Just wow. This is the most beautiful and intricate synagogue I have ever seen. I was only in Budapest once, back in the 80s, so it would have been before the restoration and I have no memory of going here. I remember it being a beautiful city, but now I want to go back, just to see this temple. . I would imaging seeing all the names on that Holocaust Memorial would be really emotional. Thanks for the photo tour and the details
Anda Galffy
There is one built in the same style in New York, Rhonda. If you ever make it there you’ll be surprised how similar they are.
Melodie K.
In a city as beautiful as Budapest, a synagogue as grand and ornate as this one fits right in. The Holocaust Jewish Memorial seems stark by contrast, yet it is probably where I’d go first. (How is it the great cities so often host great tragedy?) And then the Jewish Museum. Thanks for the info, Anda ~ I’ll make it a point to visit the Jewish Synagogue complex whenever I get to Budapest.
Anda Galffy
Thank you, Melodie. I hope you’ll get to visit Budapest.
Ruth
What an impressive building! I have never seen a synagogue so beautiful (the ones I have visited are very simple). Interesting how the place has elements of other religious but still manages to be unique.
Lydia C. Lee
It’s stunning – very Moorish too, in design (I hope that’s ok to say that? Please delete if offensive…)
Anda Galffy
It’s not offensive at all, Lydia. That is actually the style of the synagogue. It’s sort of strange though, I agree…