Dohány Street Synagogue Temple

Address: Dohány utca 2, 1074 Budapest, Hungary

Website: https://www.greatsynagogue.hu/

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.

Dohány Street Synagogue is in central Budapest on Dohány utca. The nearest metro access is Astoria station (M2), about a 3-5 minute walk, or the Deák Ferenc tér interchange (M1/M2/M3) about 8-10 minutes on foot. Numerous city trams and buses serve the surrounding Grand Boulevard area; if driving, expect limited parking in the dense city centre and prefer public transport.

• Book tickets online or arrive before scheduled guided-tour slots - the Dohány Street Synagogue is an active place of worship, and guided visits can sell out or be limited during services, especially on Shabbat and Jewish holidays.
• Visit the Jewish Museum and the Holocaust Memorial Garden (the 'Tree of Life' memorial) immediately adjacent to the synagogue; these on-site features provide historical context that many tour-only visitors miss.
• Check the synagogue's website for opening hours and any dress or photography rules and plan to enter via the main Dohány Street entrance where ticketing and visitor information are located.