Dohány Street Synagogue

1859

The largest synagogue in Europe was consecrated in 1859

The Jewish community of Pest built the synagogue between 1854 and 1859, to plans by the Viennese architect Ludwig Förster. It was meant to be the first distinctive sign of Jewish presence in the city, and it was consecrated on 6 September 1859. With about 3,000 seats, it is the largest synagogue in Europe.

3,000seats in the largest synagogue in Europe

The design

A Moorish design with twin towers and a menorah on the square

The decoration was based chiefly on Islamic architecture from North Africa and medieval Spain, including the Alhambra. Förster believed that no distinctively Jewish architecture could be identified. The façade has twin octagonal towers with onion domes, and from above, markings on the square in front show a menorah. Inside there is an organ, which Franz Liszt and Camille Saint-Saëns played.

The complex

A museum stands where Theodor Herzl was born

The complex includes the Great Synagogue, the Heroes' Temple, a graveyard, a memorial and the Hungarian Jewish Museum and Archives. The museum was built in 1930 on the site of the house where Theodor Herzl was born. The Heroes' Temple, added in 1931, is a memorial to Hungarian Jews who gave their lives in the First World War.

Restoration

Damaged in the war and restored between 1991 and 1998

The synagogue suffered a great deal of war damage. It was used as a base for German Radio and as a stable for animals. In the Communist era the damaged building became again a prayer house for a much smaller Jewish community. Restoration began in 1991, funded by the state and by private donations, and was completed in 1998.

1944

Over two thousand who died in the ghetto are buried in its courtyard

In 1944 the synagogue was part of the Jewish ghetto of the city and sheltered many hundreds of people. Over two thousand of those who died in the ghetto from hunger and cold that winter are buried in its courtyard. A memorial by Imre Varga, shaped like a weeping willow with the names of victims on its leaves, stands behind the synagogue. At least 400,000 Hungarian Jews were murdered by the Nazis.