Dohány utcai zsinagóga

Dohány Street Synagogue (Dohány utcai zsinagóga in Hungarian) in Budapest is the largest synagogue in Europe with a capacity of 2,964 seats (1,492 for men on the ground floor and 1,472 in the women's galleries) and is a center of Neolog Judaism. Dohány means tobacco, BTW.

The synagogue was built between 1854 and 1859 in a residential area by the Jewish community of Pest. It was designed by a non-Jewish German-born Austrian architect, Ludwig Förster. 

The building is 75 meters long and 27 meters in width. The style of the Dohány Street Synagogue is Moorish, mixed with Byzantine, Romantic, and Gothic flavors. The characteristic onion-shaped domes sit on the twin octagonal towers that are 43 meters in height. The Central Synagogue in Manhattan, New York City is a sort of copycat of the Dohány Street Synagogue.

Famous Hungarian romantic architect Frigyes Feszl designed the interior by giving the Torah-ark and colorful internal frescoes. 

The Synagogue is comprised of the complex of the Great Synagogue, the Heroes' Temple, the graveyard, the Memorial, and the Jewish Museum, which was built on the site on which Theodor Herzl's house of birth stood. The 5,000-tube organ, which was built in 1859, makes the Synagogue very unique. Famous musicians such as Franz Liszt and Camille Saint-Saëns played there.

Image from a 3D puzzle toy. Now it's on sale (3470 Ft)

The synagogue has gone through a tough time. On the 3rd of February, 1939 it was bombed by the Hungarian pro-Nazi Arrow Cross Party. In 1944, the Dohány Street Synagogue was part of the Jewish ghetto for the city Jews, to where 7,000 Jews were sent, according to Adolph Eichmann's plan. Over two thousand of those who died in the ghetto from hunger and cold are buried in the courtyard of the synagogue. 

The synagogue was also used as a shelter, and towards the end of World War II, the building suffered some severe damage from aerial raids during the battle for the liberation of Budapest.

During the Communist era, the damaged structure became again a prayer house for the much-diminished Jewish community. Its restoration and renovation started in 1991, financed by the state and by private donations, and was completed in 1998.
On 23 October 2012, an Israeli flag was burned in front of a Budapest synagogue, reportedly by members of Jobbik, an ultranationalist Hungarian political party. 

St. Stephen's Day In Hungary 2019

This is my second time celebrating the foundation of the Hungarian state. 
If you are curious about St. Stephen's Day in Hungary, please visit this.

Similar to last year, all fireworks photos shown here were taken from the sightseeing boat anchored on the Buda side of the Danube river. We expected fireworks to be shot in front of the Parliament.

It was, however, unfortunate that the position of five boats shooting fireworks was in a far-right position. 

Merry Christmas!

The most beautiful Parliament in the world revisited while the protesters against the "slave law" were on Christmas vacation...

The Chamber of Peers

Merry Christmas!

Szigliget Fortress

Remnants and ruins of Szigliget fortress remain on Várhegy hill's summit, located on the skirt of Lake Balaton. 

The castle was built between 1260 and 1262 as a siege against the Ottoman Empire's invasion. Hungary suffered tremendously from the Ottoman Empire's occupation. Indeed villages of Szigliget were destroyed, however, the castle contested and hadn't fallen down to the Turks. 

The irony is that the castle was ordered by Leopold I in Holy Roman Empire to be demolished, which caused a Hungarian rebellion against Austrian rule.

Castle has been under renovation. Cannons and several armors are exhibited there. 

Above all, the most impressive fact is the stunning panoramic view from the summit. 

It's definitely worth climbing a hill to indulge yourself in breathtaking scenery!!!

Lake Balaton

Just a handful of dull/sleepy abstract photos taken in Lake Balaton, Hungary.

 I'd love to thank Péter, Dorina, Boti and Gabi for the warmest hospitality!

Water Snakes

At times, kids (especially boys) are genius for finding something very interesting and odd. 

Without a boy from Germany, I don't think I've noticed the small water snakes living in Malom Lake (Malom-tó) in Tapolca... It appears there are at least two types of snakes there, however, I know nothing about them.

To be honest, this was my first time seeing snakes living in water...

St. Stephen's Day In Hungary

The 20th of August is a National holiday in Hungary. Hungarians commemorate the foundation of the Hungarian state.

It's called St. Stephen's day because it's his feast day. He encouraged the spread of Christianity and turned it into a legitimate Christian state. Stephen I is the first king of Hungary, who was canonized by Pope Gregory VII. 

Festivities start in the morning with the raising of the Hungarian flag and continue on all day long, culminating in spectacular fireworks on the Danube river!!!

Wherever fireworks take place, I am there!!! 

Zsámbéki Öregtemplom

Excursion from Budapest downtown!

I am obsessed with the beauty of destruction and have wanted to visit Zsámbék Premontre monastery church (English Wiki available).

The history of the Romanesque-early Gothic style church dated back to 1220 AD. It was built and owned by a single family, the gens Smaragd (the family of Aynard).

In the 15th Century, Hungarians had been in torment, due to the invasion of the Ottoman Empire. The monastery's been used as a fortress. The suffering era had eventually come to an end at the Battle of Buda in 1686.

However, here comes another ordeal after the retreat of the Ottoman. On June 28, 1763, the church collapsed in an earthquake and has been abandoned since then.

Around 150 years after the earthquake, the monastery had partially fixed up to the present looking.

A stunning place to visit and spend a serene time as there aren't many tourists!

Magyar Állami Operaház

Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Állami Operaház) is a lavish neo-Renaissance opera house that is originally known as the Hungarian Royal Opera House. It is the second-largest opera house located on Andrássy Avenue. 

For those who are into opera performances, ongoing programs, and the history of the hose, please visit HP. Since this is a photoblog, I'd stress more on the stunning interior view.

Auditorium

In front of the building are statues of Ferenc Erkel and Franz Liszt. Liszt is the best-known Hungarian composer. Erkel composed the Hungarian national anthem, and was the first music director of the Opera House; he was also the founder of the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra.

façade

The opera house was designed by the Hungarian architect Mikós Ybl, whereas the Baroque ornamentation, sweeping marble staircases, frescoed ceilings, vast chandeliers, rich velvets, and gilded tiers of seats in the auditorium were mainly contributed by Hungarian painters, Bertalan Székely, Károly Lotz and Mór Than.

Ticket counter

Construction began in 1875, funded by the city of Budapest and by Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary. The new house opened with great fanfare on September 27, 1884. In the 1970s the state of the building prompted the Hungarian State to order a major renovation which eventually began in 1980 and lasted till 1984. The reopening was held exactly 100 years after the original opening, on 27th September 1984.

Foyer

As soon as entering the building, you notice that, in its beauty and the quality of acoustics, the Opera House is considered to be amongst the finest opera houses in the world. The foyer is supported by nine marble columns. The vaulted ceiling is covered in murals by Bertalan Székely and Mór Than. They depict the nine Muses.

Grand staircase

A vast, sweeping staircase was an important element of the opera house as it allowed ladies to show off their new gowns. This is the meeting point where the guided tour starts.

Feszty Bar

Feszty bar (Opera Cafe) is the place to enjoy booze and light meals before, during or after the show. The bar is flanked by corridors that used to be the place for smoking in the past...

Royal staircase

The royal staircase is a private entrance from the carriage ramp in Dalszínház street leading to the parlors on the first floor. This somehow reminds me of Ceremonial Stair Hall in Hungarian National Assembly (see this entry)...

Two bronze statues and portraits are exhibited there.

Auditorium -  a view from the VIP room on the second floor

The biggest attraction of the tour is, needless to say, the horseshoe-shaped, three-floored auditorium!!! Rich in gold red colors with a stunning fresco in the ceiling, the auditorium is capable of accommodating 1261 audiences.

Boxes

Mikós Ybl’s neo-renaissance palace has remained virtually unchanged in the 130 years since and continues to attract admirers of opera and ballet alike.

Visiting tours with a mini concert (option) in several languages are available here. No need to book in advance. Be there prior to the tour.