Dohány utcai Zsinagóga, A Monument of History and Peace

Budapest, Dohány u 2, 1074 Hungary

"The largest cathedral on the European continent."

4.1

Introduction

The Tobacco Street Synagogue in the 7th district of Budapest is the largest synagogue on the Eurasian continent, and the second largest in the world after the Emmanuel Synagogue in New York City, with 3,000 seats, serving as the center of the Neolog Jewish community. The building was designed by German architect Ludwig Förster in the Moorish Revival style, with inspiration from Moorish architecture in North Africa and Spain. The interior design of some parts was done by Frigyes Feszl. Due to its initial location in a residential area, the buildings surrounding the Tobacco Street Synagogue also hold a significant place in the history of Budapest. The house where Theodore Herzl was born is now part of the synagogue courtyard, and the adjacent building houses a Jewish museum featuring precious artifacts relating to Jewish religion and history. The Tobacco Street Synagogue complex includes the Great Synagogue, the Heroes' Temple, a cemetery, and a Holocaust Memorial. The Heroes' Temple has 340 seats and serves mainly to commemorate Jewish soldiers who died during World War I. The cemetery is the final resting place for many notable Jewish figures, including composer Franz Lehár and writer Sándor Márai. The Holocaust Memorial gives a comprehensive record of the Nazi genocide of Jews, reminding us to respect history and cherish peace.