A landmark of scale and history
Completed in 1859, the Dohány Street Synagogue can seat around 3,000 people, making it the largest synagogue in Europe and the second-largest in the world. Its Moorish Revival architecture — with striped brickwork and twin onion domes — reflects a 19th-century fashion for drawing on Islamic and Middle Eastern motifs in synagogue design across Central Europe.
The Jewish Museum & memorial garden
Attached to the synagogue, the Jewish Museum traces the history of Hungarian Jewish life and the Holocaust in Hungary. In the adjoining memorial garden stands the Tree of Life, a striking metal weeping willow sculpture by Imre Varga, each leaf engraved with the name of a victim — standing over a mass grave from the ghetto's final winter.
Visiting practically
Entry is by paid ticket, which typically includes the synagogue interior, museum and memorial garden. Modest dress is expected — covered shoulders, and a kippah for men, usually provided free at the entrance. It sits right in District VII, an easy walk from the ruin bar district, making it simple to combine a reflective morning visit with an evening out in the same neighbourhood.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Great Synagogue still an active place of worship?
Yes — it belongs to the Hungarian Neolog Jewish community and holds regular services, alongside operating as a museum and memorial site open to visitors.
What is the Tree of Life memorial?
A weeping willow sculpture in the synagogue's memorial garden, its metal leaves inscribed with the names of Hungarian Holocaust victims, standing over a mass grave from the winter of 1944–45.
Do I need to dress modestly to visit?
Shoulders should be covered and men are typically asked to wear a kippah (provided on-site) — standard synagogue visiting etiquette, not strictly enforced but appreciated.