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Jewish Budapest
Jewish Budapest
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The Jews played an important role in the history of Pest, Buda and Óbuda (Old Buda) and after the unification of the previous three, in Budapest's development. Despite their persecution and the terror of the 20th century we can still find many monuments of the once thriving Jewish Budapest.
The former Jewish Quarter in the VII district has a quaint atmosphere with characteristic smells, people, striking contrast of crumbling buildings and shiny new apartment blocks and unique monuments. Take your time to absorb this sometimes secluded part of Budapest! Jewish Sights in Buda and Óbuda
Back to top. Jewish Sights in Budapest
The Small Synagogue and the medieval Jewish Prayer house at 26. Táncsics utca, reminds us the everyday life of the Castle District's Jewish community. Remains of the synagogue built in 1460 was excavated in 1964 part of which operates as a museum exhibiting Jewish relics and gravestones (opening hours: summer: Tue-Fri: 10.00-14.00, Sat-Sun: 10.00-18.00). The other part of the remains was reburied; its archaeological excavation and restoration are planned to be done in the next couple of years. During the 150-year Turkish reign the Jewish community of Buda vanished almost entirely. In the 17th century German and Czech Jewish settlers established homes in Óbuda, Buda and Pest didn't permit settlement of Jews until the end of the 18th century. Under the patronage of the noble Zichy family the the Jewish colony of Óbuda developed into a prominent community. In the 19th century the Reform Movement fought for giving equal rights to Jews too. As a result of the movement's efforts Jews were free to settle down anywhere in Hungary including Pest and Buda. The Synagogue in Óbuda (Lajos utca 163., III. district) was built in 1820-21 in Classicist style, today it houses a TV studio. Moses Muncz (1750-1831) was the rabbi of the community at that time whose grave you can see in the beautiful Jewish cemetery in Óbuda (Külső Bécsi út 369., III. district). The memorial stone on the former Óbuda brick factory's site marks the spot from where thousands of Jews were deported and sent to death under the terror of the Arrow Cross Party in 1944-45. A nice garden surrounds the building of the secular Jewish Lauder Javne School (Budakeszi út 48. XII. district, bus No. 22. from Széll Kálmán tér) built in 1996. While you're there take a look at the building of the old Jewish kindergarden next to the school. In the 19th century Pest became the center of Jewish Budapest. Their religion, holidays and unique traditions made them form a community.
Map of the Old Jewish Quarter in Budapest
Three synagogues were built in the quarter the most impressive of them is the Great Synagogue in Dohány Street built in 1859 in Moorish-Byzantine style.
TIP: If you have only limited time make time for visiting the Great Synagogue and its surroundings. The two-towered temple can occupy 6000 people. It is a neolog synagogue meaning that the men and women sit in separate areas within the church the service is in Hebrew, and the 5000-pipe organ provides music. Names of victims disappeared or died during the nazi terror are engraved on almost each of the 30,000 leaves of the Tree of Life in the Raoul Wallenberg Park (named after the Swedish diplomat who helped many Jews to escape from deportation in 1944-45)
The Jewish Museum on the left of the Great Synagogue has a collection of religious relics, historical documents along with temporary exhibits. An arcade connects the museum with the modern-style Heroes' Temple.
A small plaque on the Wesselényi street side of the synagogue marks the spot where once the gate of the Budapest ghetto stood in 1944-45. Not far from the plaque stands the small garden of remembrance where those who died in the ghetto were buried during 1944-45. Their names are engraved in the stone gravestones.
Until the 2nd half of 1944 Budapest was reluctant to cooperate with the Nazis to collect and sent Hungarian Jews into concentration camps, though the Hungarian government (lead by Miklós Horthy) stood on the side of the Germans. Adolf Eichmann arrived in Budapest in December 1944 to carry out the deportation and execution of Hungarian Jews and Roma people. A ghetto was established between Király utca and Dohány utca. At 10., Dob utca on a small square you'll find the Carl Lutz Memorial standing against a white wall on a tiny plaza. Lutz (1895-1975) as a Swiss diplomat had great connections with the Germans and Palestine thus he was able to help many Jews to flee form the terror.
The quote from the Talmud engraved on the metal plaque next to the monument says: "He who saves but one man is as if he had saved the whole world"
From Dob utca turn left on Rumbach utca where another striking Synagogue stands completed in 1872.
The Rumbach Street synagogue Walk along Rumbach utca then turn right into Király utca, walk until you reach Kazinczy utca on your right. There stands the synagogue of Budapest's Orthodox Jewish community.
Kazinczy Street Synagogue From Kazincy Street turn right into Dob utca. You'll reach a large park with a playground, Klauzál tér. Locals relax and chat on the benches while looking after their kids.
Entrance of the market at Klauzál Square
Restaurants & Cafes in the Jewish Quarter of BudapestIf you're tired of walking have a rest and a few bites in one of the numerous eateries (both kosher and non-kosher) situated in the area. Their flódni is fabulous: a cake with layers of walnut, poppy seed and apple fillings.
Nelson Cafe
Kamara Cafe A cozy place with terrace serving coffee, beers, pastries.
Cream Cafe & Restaurant Address: Dohány utca 28., VII. district Tel: An upscale but still casual restaurant and cafe with live music in the evenings.
Kék Nefelejcs Restaurant A high-priced kosher restaurant aimed at tourists visiting the Great synagogue.
Osteria Fausto's An exclusive Italian restaurant with top quality food. Always reserve a table.
Fekete Szakáll (Black Beard) Restaurant A mid-priced restaurant with international dishes.
Shailmar Indian Restaurant Read more about Shalimar on our Indian Restaurants in Budapest page. More Jewish Sights in PestNext to the synagogue in Páva Street opened the Holocaust Memorial Center (Holokauszt Emlékközpont) in 2004. Admission:
Temporary Exhibition Full price ticket: 800 HUF Combined Tickets Full price ticket: 1 800 HUF Guided Tours Audio guide (available in Hungarian and English): 850 HUF
The building of the Holocaust Memorial Center - a combination of classical and modern architecture
The Center's permanent exhibition titled From the Deprivation of Rights to Genocide depicts the persecution, suffering and massacre of Hungarian Jews and Romas committed in the name of nazi ideology.
Return from Jewish Budapest to Homepage of Budapest Tourist Guide or go to our Main Page about Sightseeing in Budapest.
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