The Hebrew inscription above the main entrance, which faces towards Jerusalem, is a quotation from the Bible; Exodus 25:8 “V’asu li mikdash, v’shakhanti b’tokham.” – “And they shall make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.”
Admission to all religious houses in Hungary is usually free, however there is a charge for entrance to the Budapest Grand Synagogue, also known as the Dohány Street Synagogue. Tickets can be purchased to include a guided tour, which will give visitors a greater insight into the history of the Budapest Jewish community, their culture, and heritage.
Budapest Grand Synagogue
When it was completed in 1859, the Dohány Street Synagogue tied with the Amsterdam synagogue as the second largest in the world, and the largest in Europe. Its size is an indication of the prosperity, and the cultural standards of the Budapest Jewish community of the time. The eastern architecture of the synagogue is not just a famous Budapest landmark, but also an impressive attraction.
Jewish Population of Budapest
In the mid 19th Century a great social movement within the Jewish population changed the demographics of the Jewish community in Budapest. In 1827 the population within the preferred Jewish residential district was 5276, while in 1848 it rose to more than 10000. In 1857 around the time the Synagogue was built the Jewish population rose to over 23 000. This population explosion dictated the need for more, and larger places of worship. The inauguration of the Vienna Synagogue was the deciding catalyst for building the Great Synagogue in Budapest.
The Budapest Synagogue
In 1854 the project was awarded to the German builder Ludwig Förster. His plans for the Budapest synagogue were based on the Tempelgasse Synagogue of Vienna, which he had recently completed.
Project manager and architect Wechselmann Ignác created an absolute wonder with the assistance of the well known builder Feszl Frigyes, who was responsible for creating and shaping parts of the building’s interior.
The twin tower Moorish-revival synagogue was consecrated at a special ceremony on the 6th September 1859 to the accompaniment of the haunting, and spiritual sound of organ music resonating within.
Neolog Synagogue
The Budapest Grand Synagogue is the centre of Neolog Judaism, which is a mild reform movement mainly practiced in Hungarian regions. The interior of a Neolog synagogue differs from the orthodox style, where worshippers surround the bimah or the reading desk, which is in the centre of the synagogue. Men and woman are traditionally in separate rooms or divided by a curtain, the rabbis do not wear cassocks, and orthodox synagogues do not have organs.
A Neolog synagogue is similar to a regular church with the bimah at the front of the church facing the congregation, with the Holy Ark directly behind. Organ music is incorporated into the service during which Rabbis wear cassocks. The women are segregated to the upstairs galleries, not to separate rooms.
Specifications
The Budapest Grand Synagogue is a spectacular building lavishly decorated with 23carat gold leaf, eastern murals, quadratic skylights, and imposing chandeliers, each weighing 1.2 tons. The magnificent 8.2 meter high domed Ark that houses the Torah, is an ornate, and imposing feature of the interior that immediately commands attention. The sheer scale of the building is monumental. The synagogue measures 53 meters long, and 24.6 meters wide, with an internal height of 26 meters. It covers an area of 1200 m2, and can seat 1497 men on the ground floor, and 1472 women in the two storey upstairs galleries.
Of Further Interest
Adjoining the Synagogue is the Jewish Museum, which holds a collection of religious relics, ritual Shabbat objects as well as the Holocaust room.
The Hero’s Temple was built in 1931 as a memorial honouring the Hungarian Jews who gave their lives during WW1. It seats 250 people and is used for small gatherings, weekday services, and also during the winter months.
A small Jewish cemetery is an unconventional feature of the Synagogue garden as traditionally cemeteries are forbidden on the premises of a house of prayer. This cemetery was a product of WWII when the contagious cancer of fascism spread through Europe. Sadly Hungary was not immune to the evil darkness that spawned the Budapest Ghetto, where many Jews died from starvation, and illness. The synagogue garden became their graveyard. Some bodies were claimed by families after the war, and were exhumed and moved to the Jewish cemetery. For many others there was no family left to claim them, and the Synagogue garden remains their eternal resting place.
The Memorial of at least 400 000 Hungarian Jews who were murdered by the Nazis, is located in the rear courtyard, in the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park. A futuristic metal tree that resembles a weeping willow has the names of the victims inscribed on its leaves. A memorial plaque honours both Raoul Wallenberg and the many others who dedicated their lives to helping Hungarian Jews during the war.
Organ.
All organs are unique in size, build, and sound. Schulze and Sons of Germany, built the original organ for the Budapest Synagogue, based on the plans of Dr. Wöhler Gotthard. Many concerts were held in the synagogue, and such eminent musician as Franz Liszt and French romantic composer Camille Saint-Saëns performed on this special organ.
In 1902 the organ was reconditioned and rebuilt, and also in 1931, each time bigger and better, until finally it had the distinction of being one of the largest in Hungary. In 1996 a new, mechanical organ was installed, and the synagogue remains a popular venue for classical concerts.
Renovations
During World War II the synagogue received 27 direct hits, although none were fatal they remained visible scars on the facade for several decades. The renovation work that included major structural restoration both internally and externally were carried out between 1991-1996, although some work is still ongoing. Several features of the building were updated; energy efficient lighting and modern heating were installed. All modernisation was carried out with care and sensitivity to restore the building to its original condition.
The Jewish Summer Festival
The renewal of the Dohány Street Synagogue, offers the Jewish population of Hungary a message of reassurance and hope, and remains a symbol of the strong Jewish traditions and customs celebrated by the Hungarian Jewish community. This is represented by the Jewish summer festival, which was first organised in 1998 and showcases performances by many world-renowned artists, exhibitions, book markets and gastronomical events.
The Budapest Grand Synagogue has certainly fulfilled its role as a House of Assembly, and welcomes every member of the greater community.
Sources: -
10/10/2011 Dohány Street Synagogue
10/10/2011 The Great Synagogue of Budapest
15/08/2003 Centre for Jewish History
Erika Gösi - I was born in Hungary, but I have lived abroad all my life where I was fortunate to have experienced many wonders of Africa and Australia, ...
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