The Great Synagogue of Budapest or Dohány Synagogue is one of the marvelous epitomes of Jewish culture and heritage in Hungary and is also one of the must-visit destinations in Budapest.
The Great Synagogue in Budapest is one of the popular tourist attraction sites of Budapest and draws thousands of visitors each year. The Great Synagogue in Budapest is the largest European synagogue and also the second largest in the whole world. The synagogue is located in Dohány Street, in the eastern part of Budapest and is also known as the Dohány Synagogue.
History of Great Synagogue
The Great Synagogue in Budapest was constructed between the years 1854-1859. This building was designed by Viennese architect, Ludwig Foerster and was made by the Neolog Jewish community of Pest. The history of Great Synagogue dates back to the 18th century when the Jewish natives were banned from the city and had to set up a new community in the Jewish quarter. This community was located on the outskirts of the city. The Jews then built their main synagogue within this residential area which later became known as the Great Synagogue of Budapest.
Architectural pattern of Great Synagogue
The architectural pattern of the Great Synagogue follows a Byzantine Moorish pattern. The structure is similar to the Muslim buildings which are found in the North African or Spanish or Middle-Eastern region. The twin towers of the synagogue represent the two columns of Solomon’s Temple. The interiors, designed by F. Feszl have beautiful carvings with geometric patterns. The western frontage of the Synagogue has domed windows with excellent brickwork and stone-carved artworks. The main entrance is flanked on both sides by two polygonal towers which are intricately decorated with gold furbished copper domes. The Holy Ark is placed on the eastern wall and faces the Bimah.The choir gallery is located on top of the Holy Ark.
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The seats on the ground floor are meant for males, while upper galleries on both sides of the synagogue are meant for women disciples.
Holocaust Memorial in Great Synagogue
The Great Synagogue of Budapest stands as a symbol of the atrocities faced by the native Jewish population. The synagogue was made part of a military district in the year 1944 and thereafter it was transformed into a concentration camp of Jews. More than two thousand Budapest Jewish natives died in the ghetto and their bodies are buried in the courtyard of the synagogue. The synagogue also served as a shelter house during the Second World War and towards the end of the war it underwent severe damage due to aerial raids. The renovation works started in the year 1991 and was completed in 1996 after which the Great Synagogue was restored to its original beauty.
In the year 1991, another special monument in honor of the Jewish natives who lost their lives in the German Holocaust was erected in Raoul Wallenburg, a small park in the back courtyard of the synagogue. This structure is known as the Holocaust Memorial and has been designed by Imre Varga. The structure has a metal weeping willow tree and on each leaf of the tree you can find the name of a martyr who lost his life in the Holocaust.
Heroes’ Temple in Great Synagogue
Behind the main building of the Great Synagogue, the Heroes’ Temple was constructed in the year 1929-31 in honor of the memory of those Jews who lost their lives in the First World War.
Admission charges to Great Synagogue
The Great Synagogue in Budapest is opened from 10.00 to 6.00pm on Sunday-Thursday during the summer and winter season. On Fridays, it remains open from 10.00 to 4.00pm. The admission charges to the synagogue are 1200 HUF for adults and 700 HUF for students.
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