Posted by The Great Synagogue in Budapest is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world. Built in the middle of the 19th century, it is now one of the biggest sights in Budapest. On some days several thousand visitors come to the synagogue in the centre of the Hungarian capital.
Buy tickets Great Synagogue in advance: As many tourists come to the synagogue, the queues at the cash desk can be very long. That’s why more and more visitors buy their tickets including a guided tour in German in advance on the Internet. On this link (well-known website Getyourguide) you can get the tickets and more information
The Great Synagogue was completed in 1859, the architect was the Austrian Ludwig Förster. There are over 3000 seats in the building, more than in any other synagogue in Europe. The architectural style is mainly Moorish, the building reminds on the Alhambra in Spain.
Information for visitors
The majority of tourists in Budapest come to the synagogue. There are often queues at the ticket offices. There is only one ticket, it is valid for the whole complex including the synagogue, museums, garden etc. The entrance fee is almost 15 Euro for adults (4500 Forint).
We recommend to buy the tickets in advance on the internet at Getyourguide. Then you save the often long queues at the ticket office at the Great Synagogue in Budapest. The online ticket is valid for the synagogue, all museums and the garden with the tree of life. You can also take part in one of the many interesting guided tours in about 5 different languages for free. During our visit, there were guided tours in German every hour and in English every half hour.
Sephardic Synagogue: In addition to the main synagogue, there is a smaller Sephardic synagogue that has a different architectural design and special cultural significance.
The Great Synagogue regularly hosts organ concerts and other cultural events. The acoustics of the prayer hall are excellent.
Garden of the synagogue
In the garden there are among other things graves and memorial plaques of well-known Jews. Of particular interest is the so-called tree of life made of metal (see picture).
This monument commemorates the many Jews murdered in Hungary during the Nazi period. During the tour of the Great Synagogue in Budapest, you can also learn about the Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, who saved the lives of many Jews in Budapest during the Nazi era.
Museums in the synagogue
You can go to the Jewish Museum Budapest, which is located on the grounds of the synagogue. There is also an exhibition in the basement about the terrible events during the Nazi period in Hungary. Both museums are included when visiting the synagogue.
Buy tickets Great Synagogue in advance: As many tourists come to the synagogue, the queues at the cash desk can be very long. That’s why more and more visitors buy their tickets including a guided tour in German in advance on the Internet. On this link (well-known website Getyourguide) you can get the tickets and more information
Our recommendations Great Synagogue Budapest
We recommend all visitors to the Great Synagogue of Budapest to join one of the interesting guided tours. These are included in the purchase of the ticket.
Since the queues are often long, we recommend that you buy your tickets before visiting the site on this link.
The synagogue in other languages
One often reads or hears the name “Dohány Synagogue” for the Great Synagogue of Budapest. This comes from the street name where the building is located: Dohány utca (Tobacco Street). This is why there is also the German name Tabak-Synagoge or Tabaktempel.
In English there are the names “Great Synagogue Budapest” or also ” Dohány Street Synagogue”.
In Hungarian there is “Dohány utcai zsinagóga” or “Nagy zsinagóga”.
More information for visitors to the Great Synagogue Budapest
Largest synagogue in Europe: The Great Synagogue in Budapest is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world. It can accommodate up to 3,000 people.
Architecture: The building was designed in the Moorish style, which is reflected in the magnificent brick mosaics and ornamental details. It was designed by Austrian architect Ludwig Forster.
Opening: The synagogue was inaugurated in 1859.
Interior: The interior is as impressive as the facade, with elaborate ceiling paintings, gold decorations and a magnificent Torah ark.
Organ: The synagogue houses a large organ built in 1859 by the Rieger company of Austria.
Memorial: The synagogue grounds include the Jewish Cemetery, where many prominent Jewish figures are buried. There is also a Holocaust memorial.
Rosenbaum Memorial Hall: The memorial hall commemorates the victims of the Holocaust and includes an impressive monument with a sculpture by Imre Varga.
Restorations: The synagogue has been restored several times over the years to preserve its historical integrity and maintain its architectural beauty. The last major restoration took place in the 1990s.
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