Dohány Street Synagogue

The Dohány Street Synagogue is a large 19th-century synagogue located in Budapest’s Erzsébetváros district. Constructed in the Moorish-Revival style, it is one of the largest historic synagogues in Europe.

The synagogue was designed in the mid-19th century and completed in 1859 to serve Budapest’s growing Jewish population; it later became part of a larger complex that included community institutions. During the 20th century the building suffered damage and the complex was the site of wartime events; it has since been restored and functions as both a place of worship and a cultural site.

Situated on Dohány Street in central Budapest, the synagogue is within walking distance of the city centre and is part of the historic Jewish quarter.

• Construction: Built between 1854 and 1859 in a Moorish-Revival style, it is the largest historic synagogue in Europe and was constructed to serve a large urban Jewish congregation.
• Complex contents: The complex includes a Jewish Museum and a courtyard memorial that commemorates Holocaust victims from Hungary.

What to See #

• Main synagogue: The main sanctuary seating area of the large Moorish-Revival synagogue, notable for its horseshoe arches, central dome and large capacity.
• Museum and memorial: An accompanying museum and memorial complex that documents local Jewish history and includes the 'Tree of Life' Holocaust memorial in the courtyard.