Dohány Street Synagogue
Budapest
The Dohány Street Synagogue, also known as the Great Synagogue, is located in Budapest's Erzsébetváros district and is the largest synagogue in Europe, seating approximately 3,000 people. Constructed between 1854 and 1859, it was designed by Viennese architect Ludwig Förster in the Moorish Revival and Romantic Historicist styles, inspired by Islamic architecture from North Africa and medieval Spain. The interior, partly designed by Frigyes Feszl, features richly decorated aisles, an organ, and a Torah ark containing scrolls from synagogues destroyed during the Holocaust. The synagogue complex includes the Heroes' Temple, a Jewish museum built on the site of Theodor Herzl's birthplace, a graveyard, and a memorial. Throughout its history, the synagogue has been a central symbol of Hungarian Jewish culture and has endured significant damage during World War II, including bombings and use as a stable. After extensive restoration completed in 1998, it remains an active place of worship and a prominent cultural venue hosting concerts and festivals. The building's façade is distinguished by twin onion-domed towers and intricate oriental-style ornamentation, including the Star of David and a rose window. Dohány Street itself carries strong Holocaust connotations, as it marked the border of the Budapest Ghetto during the Nazi occupation.
ヒント: Visitors are advised to purchase tickets in advance, especially during concert events and festivals held in the synagogue. The best time to visit is during spring and autumn when the weather is pleasant and the synagogue hosts cultural programs. Discounts may be available for students, seniors, and groups. Guided tours provide deeper insight into the synagogue's rich history and architecture. Photography may be restricted during services, so check in advance.
興味深い事実
- •The Dohány Street Synagogue is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world after New York's Temple Emanu-El.
- •Its architectural style is inspired by Moorish Revival with elements from Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic Revival styles.
- •The synagogue uniquely houses a pipe organ, uncommon in Jewish places of worship.
- •The Jewish Museum on site is built where Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern political Zionism, was born.
- •The synagogue's twin towers reach 43 meters high and are topped with onion domes.
歴史
The Dohány Street Synagogue was built between 1854 and 1859 as a monumental symbol of Jewish presence in Pest, designed by Ludwig Förster.
It was consecrated on September 6, 1859, and originally seated nearly 3,000 worshippers, making it one of the largest synagogues worldwide.
During World War II, it suffered severe damage from bombings and was used as a stable and German radio base.
The synagogue was located at the edge of the Budapest Ghetto, where tens of thousands of Jews were confined.
Post-war, the building fell into disrepair but was restored between 1991 and 1998 through state and private funding.
Today, it stands as a testament to Jewish resilience and cultural heritage in Hungary.
場所ガイド
Great Synagogue Main Hall1854-1859
The vast main hall features a 12-meter-wide nave supported by a single-span cast iron structure, with richly decorated aisles and balconies. The men's seating is on the ground floor, while the women's gallery is above, supported by ornate steel poles. The interior frescoes and Torah ark, designed by Frigyes Feszl, are adorned with colorful geometric and golden motifs.
Twin Towers and Facade1854-1859
The façade is characterized by twin octagonal towers topped with onion domes reaching 43 meters in height. The exterior features alternating yellow and red brickwork and oriental-style crenellations. Jewish symbols such as the Star of David and the Stone Tablets are incorporated into the ornamentation. A rose window is positioned above the main entrance.
Jewish Museum and Heroes' Temple1929-1931
The Jewish Museum, located on the site of Theodor Herzl's birthplace, houses a collection of Judaica and historical artifacts documenting Jewish life and culture in Hungary. Adjacent to it is the Heroes' Temple, a memorial dedicated to Jewish soldiers who died in World War I.
Memorial and CemeteryPost-World War II
The synagogue complex includes a memorial and a cemetery that serves as a resting place for victims of the Holocaust and the Budapest Ghetto. Many remains were originally buried here during World War II and later reinterred in other cemeteries, though thousands remain on site.
連絡先
電話: (06 1) 413 5584