The Dohany Street Synagogue was built in the mid 19th century, more precisely, between 1854 and 1859, under the supervision of an Austrian architect, Ludwig Forster. The architectural style is rather composite, reuniting Byzantine and Gothic features in a more generally prominent Moorish character. The synagogue is the largest Jewish temple in Europe, being able to welcome some 3,000 believers. The entire structure is overlooked by the two 43 meters tall towers which peg out the entrance to the synagogue.

During the Nazi rule, the synagogue was deprived of its intended purpose, being alternately turned into a stable, a communication center and a concentration camp for the Jewish community. The persecutions carried out during the Nazi regime forced the community to lend itself to some rather unusual practices, such as to bury the dead near the place of worship, which transgresses the Jewish tradition.

All in all, the damages suffered at the time, as well as the traces of the Communist regime, all of these were erased due to the restoration works carried out in the late 20th century. At present, the Dohany Street Synagogue is a must-see for all visitors of Budapest, a genuine landmark of the architectural landscape of the capital of Hungary and center of the local Jewish community. It is also the place where the Jewish Museum is located.

Name:
Dohany Street Synagogue
Address:
2, Dohany utca, 1074, Budapest, Hungary
Email:
aviv@aviv.hu
Website:
www.dohany-zsinagoga.hu
Go to top