Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on September 25, 2015

The 2nd Largest, and the Most Beautiful in the World History, Photos, Kosher Restaurants in the Area The Great Synagogue of Budapest (also known as the Central Synagogue) in Dohny Street is a good starting point to learn about Jewish Budapest. Find out about the history and architecture of this wonderful Jewish religious monument.

You can also take one of the three Jewish Heritage tours to visit the Dohany Street synagogue and related sights, incluidng the Jewish Museum.

The Jewish Quarter (district VII.) hides many treasures, so devote enough time to explore it.

The Great Synagogue in Budapest Dohany Street

Quick Links

TIP: The best way to explore the many Jewish sights of the Hungarian capital is to go on a guided tour: you can choose from two tours: a shorter and a longer more, detailed one.

Address: Dohny utca 2-8. in district VII., at an angle to Kroly krt, between Dek tr and Astoria Tel: +36 1 317 2754

Public Transport:

Winter (cc. 02. November till 28. February)

Summer (01. March 31. October)

Note: The Ticket Office closes half an hour before the synagogues closing time.

The synagogue is closed on the following days in 2015:

Single ticket, synagogue + museum, without guiding:

Single tickets with guiding:

Inside the synagogue you have to wear a small skullcap called kipah or yarmulke. Youll receive one at the entrance.

Ornate Interior of the Synagogue

Jews were banned from the city in the 18th century, so they established a Jewish quarter just outside the old city boundary. Remains of the old Pest city walls run on the opposite side of the road.

The Jews built their main synagogue in a residential area. Theodore Herzl, founder of modern Zionism was born in one of the buildings.

This stunning temple was constructed between 1844-59 according to Ludwig Frsters plans. The second largest synagogue (the largest stands in New York) in the world can take in 3,000 people.

Its Byzantine-Moorish style will fascinate you and remind you of monuments in the Middle-East. Two onion-shaped domes sit on the twin towers at 43 m height. The towers symbolize the two columns of Solomons Temple.

The spacious interior has equally rich decorations. A single-span cast iron supports the 12-m wide nave.

The seats on the ground-floor are for men, while the upper gallery has seats for women.

Surprisingly, the synagogue has an organ, though this instrument is used in Christian churches. The temples acoustic make it a popular venue for concerts.

The Dohny Street synagogue witnessed the tragic events of WW II.

The Germans established a ghetto for the Jews in 1944 that served as a gathering place for deportation. Many people found refugee in the Dohny utca synagogue but thousands died during the bleak winter of 1944/45. Their bodies are buried in the courtyard.

In the cobbled Raoul Wallenberg (Swedish diplomat who saved many Jews during WW II) park stands the Holocaust Memorial by Imre Varga.

It was erected in 1989 above the mass graves in the honour and memory of Hungarian Jewish martyrs. On each leave of the metal weeping willow tree you can read a name of a martyr. You can also see a piece of brick from the original ghetto wall in the garden.

Behind the main building stands the Heroes Temple that was built in 1929-31 to commmemorate the Jews who died in the First World War.

A restoration of Budapests Great Synagogue was finished a couple yeras ago, funded partly by a foundation set up by Tony Curtis who has Hungarian roots.

The adjacent Jewish Museum (on the left of the synagogue) has a Holocaust memorial room and displays about the Jewish culture. The museum has the same opening hours than the synagogue.

Read more about Jewish Budapest.

Youll find some good eateries nearby including kosher, and non-kosher restaurants with fine Hungarian-Jewish cuisine. The area is literally packed with terraced restaurants and cafes.

Address: Dohany utca 5., district VII. Open: Mon-Sat: 12.00 23.00 Tel: +36 1 269 6806

Fine Italian food in the vicinity of the great synagogue. Tasty pasta dishes, fish soup friendly staff.

Prices are a bit high but so is the quality of food and service.

Address: Dob utca 15., district VII. Open: Mon-Sun: 8.00 11.00 Tel: +36 1 413 7488

A cozy restaurant with elegant turn-of- the-20th century decor and good food.

The Spinoza also functions as a theatre, and gallery.

Daily menu at a favorable price, good wine list, and breakfast. Klezmer show each Friday evening.

Address: Dob utca 22., district VII. Open: Mon-Thurs: 9.00 18.00, Fri: 9.00 14.00, Sat: closed, Sun: 10.00 18.00 Tel: +36 1 266-1733

A bit run-down from the outside, this family-run kosher restaurant has been operating for nearly six decades. Real kosher pastries and sweet treats.

The fldni is a must.

A non-kosher restaurant offering Hungarian, international, and Jewish specialties.

Address: Dob utca 31., district VII. Open: 12.00 23.00 every day, except Saturday night: 18.00 23.00 Tel: +36 1 322 1834

See also our page about Top Restaurants or our recommendation of Hungarian Restaurants in Budapest.

Address: Kazinczy Stret 31. Open:

A bit touristy (=pricey) but the food is good in Carmel. It had never been a cheap restaurant, but since its glatt kosher status prices have risen to the sky: soups are 1 400 1 800 HUF, mains are cc. 4 000 6 000 HUF, a Carmel plate for two is 11 000 HUF.

If you can afford it, try the Jewish specialties Carmel is known for: meat soup with Matzo balls (1 400 HUF), cholent with smoked meat (4 000 HUF), and fldni for dessert (1 400 HUF). They also have Sabbath menu (5 000 6 000 HUF).

Address: Dob utca 37., district VII. Open: 8.00 22.00 every day. exc. Saturday night

The Hanna Ort Kosher Restaurant is located in the courtyard of the Kazinczy Synagogue, but entrance is from Dob utca, that intersects Kazinczy utca. Hanna opened at the beginning of the 1960s and it offers traditional Hungarian and Jewish cuisine.

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Budapest Great Synagogue, in Dohany Street, Tours

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