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TOP P
Sights of
Budapest
Budapest is one of the most beautiful capital cities of Europe that offers its visitors rich architectural and cultural heritage, healing thermal baths, traditional coffee houses and options for going out all year long.
1. Dohány Street Synagogue The largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world is one of the major tourist attractions of Budapest due to its size, beauty, good location and internal attractions. Visit also the Jewish Museum and use the service of the new Roots – Family Tree Research Centre behind the synagogue.
2. Jewish Quarter The Jewish Quarter of Budapest located in the 7th district’s inner part is getting more and more local and international attention due to its unique and incomparable atmosphere. Besides the Dohány Street Synagogue, there are two other synagogues, kosher restaurants and confectioneries, a mikveh, Jewish schools and institutions, trade shops and bars.
3. Parliament Standing on the Pest side right next to the river it is the largest building of entire Hungary and the most beautiful attraction of the city according to many. It is open for visitors, non-EU members have to pay a 3400 HUF entrance fee. Tours in Hebrew are held every day at 10.30 am and at 1.30 pm.
4. Chain Bridge The first bridge connecting Pest and Buda became a symbol of the city with the iconic lions watching over it on both ends. By today more bridges of the city were given floodlight but it is still Budapest’s most shining point in the evening.
5. Buda Castle area Narrow cobbled-stoned streets, a magnificent church, a bastion with the most perfect view , a palace in which kings used to live and monuments that date back to the middle ages make this part of the city the richest in sights, no wonder it was added to the World Heritage List in 1987. Jewinform Magazine 2011/1 Jewinform Office - Budapest, VII. Dohány str. 2. (in front of the Synagogue) Open: Sun-Thu: 10-17.30, Fri: 10-16, Sat: Closed.
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JEWISH
heritage of
Budapest The Dohány Street Synagogue By the 1840’s the prayer houses of the Jewish quarter of Pest could hardly take the increased number of Jewish denominations leading to the necessity of building a spacious synagogue. The result was Europe’s largest and most beautiful synagogue with a capacity to hold 3000 people planned by Ludwig Förster Viennese architect. The Jewish Museum standing on the former place of birth of Theodore Herzl was added to the main synagogue in the 1930’s. Address: District no. VII, Dohány utca 2. • tel.: +36 1 462 04 77 e-mail: avivtravel@gmail.com • website: www.dohany-zsinagoga.hu Guided tours are available in Hebrew from Sunday to Thursday hourly between 10.30 and 16.30, on Friday hourly between 10.30 and 14.30. Entry price is 2250 HUF/person, and 2650 HUF / person with guide. No. 1. on Map.
The Rumbach Street Synagogue Built in 1872 following the Jewish Congress of 1868 when the Jews of Hungary split into three groups. The building was designed by the famous Viennese architect Otto Wagner, father of Viennese Art Nouveau and it gave home to the Status quo-community. No. 2. on Map.
The Páva Street Synagogue and the Holocaust Memorial Center Erected in 1923 based on the plans of the famous synagogue architect Lipót Baumhorn and renovated in 2004 when it became part of the modern Holocaust Memorial Centre. Beside the impressive permanent and temporary exhibitions the whole center’s unique architectural solutions help remembrance and no visitor can stay unaffected. No. 4. on Map.
Shoes on the Danube promenade
The Kazinczy Street Synagogue This was the last synagogue of the “Synagogue Triangle” of the Jewish quarter. Built in Art Nouveau style according to the plans of the Löffler brothers it stands on the site of the Autonomous Orthodox Israelite Community of Pest. No. 3. on Map.
The Holocaust memorial statue composition of sixty par iron shoes stands in memory of the victims of Fascism during World War II. The shoes symbolize the people who were shot into the Danube. The following text is written next to the memorial in Hungarian, English, and Hebrew: “To the memory of the victims shot into the Danube by Arrow Cross militiamen in 1944–45. Erected 16 April 2005.” No. 5. on Map. Jewinform Magazine 2011/1
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Jewinform Office - Budapest, VII. Dohány str. 2. (in front of the Synagogue) Open: Sun-Thu: 10-17.30, Fri: 10-16, Sat: Closed.
DISCOVERING the Jewish
Quarter
Budapest is home to one of the largest Jewish communities of Central Europe and the inner part of the 7 th district is the area where the most synagogues, kosher restaurants, Jewish schools, institutions and trade shops are found. The quarter’s charm lies in its composition and disorder dating from the 19th century small town atmosphere.
Jewish Museum and the Roots – Family Tree Research Centre Visitors of the Dohány Street Synagogue can also enter the Jewish Museum that stands on the place of Theodore Herzl’s birth house. Behind the synagogue, on the first floor of the Goldmark Saloon (Wesselényi str. 7.) a new service is available for visitors named Roots where researches can be made in the archives. More information at info@milev.hu.
Carmel Kosher Restaurant Operating since 1987 this restaurant recognized and answered to the need of locals and visitors for a quality kosher restaurant so from 2008 it operates as a glatt kosher restaurant. Address: District VII. Kazinczy u. 31.
Fröhlich Confectionery Hungary’s only kosher confectionery has been operating for more than 50 years in the heart of the Jewish district and up to today it is still the only one in the Central European region. Address: District VII. Dob u. 22.
Gozsdu Court This recently renovated passage that connects Király street with Dob street gives home to several high quality apartments and spacious courts. Sunday the Gouba open air market awaits visitors with unique handmade and second hand products and pieces of art and design together with street performances and music. Entrances at Király street 13 or Dob street 16.
Jewish Heritage Tours Discover the beauties and background stories of the Jewish District with a professional guided tour - the Jewish Heritage Tour includes visits to the Dohány Street Synagogue, Jewish Museum, Emanuel Tree, the Rumbach Street Synagogue, the Heroes Temple from outside and an introduction to the Jewish quarter’s everyday life. Information and group reservation availability: Tel: +36 1 462 0477, aviv@aviv.hu, www.aviv.hu Jewinform Magazine 2011/1 Jewinform Office - Budapest, VII. Dohány str. 2. (in front of the Synagogue) Open: Sun-Thu: 10-17.30, Fri: 10-16, Sat: Closed.
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SHOPPING and
souvenirs
Andrássy Avenue - it is a broad boulevard leading from downtown up to City Park. In the zone close to the Opera House are the stores of successful luxury brands as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, Burberry and many more. - those who are eager to go a few steps behind the Opera House can have a look at the stores of the emerging talents of Hungarian fashion.
Hajós Utca
Design District - in the 5th district downtown there are many showrooms and stores selling young Hungarian designers’ wear. Some of the stores selling original pieces of Hungarian fashion are Eclectick, Retrock and Mono Fashion.
HUNGARIAN CRUISINE ISINE and
restaurants
Traditional Hungarian cuisine is very varied, most of the dishes are meat based but there is a large selection of meat-free dishes, desserts and soups as well. Let’s have a quick view at the major traditional dishes you should try while in Hungary:
Goulash: served as a soup very rich in ingredients from beef to carrots, potatoes and paprika spice. Pörkölt: stew dish made of beef or pork served with noodle and sour cream, pickles Chicken paprika: chicken and paprika based dish thickened with sour cream and served with noodle Fish soup: traditionally prepared in kettle on open air from river fish with paprika spice – of course
Stuffed cabbage: the leaves of the cabbage are filled with minced meat and served with sour cream.
For traditional or Modern Hungarian Cuisine: Menza – with the reinvented Hungarian dishes, retro decoration and reasonable prices it is one of the most popular places for eating out on trendy Liszt Ferenc square.
– On splendid Andrássy Avenue this bistro style restaurant and wine bar offers great food for reasonable prices and includes a wine store within. Open Mon-Sat 11.30-23.00 and Sun 11.30-18.00.
Klassz
Costes – the first Michelin starred restaurant of Hungary close to Kálvin square with a perfectionist attitude that guarantees high and steady quality.
Restaurants with Jewish Cuisine: Carmel – located in the heart of the Jewish district serving delicious glatt kosher dishes. Yiddishe Mamma Mia - new gem located in the Gozsdu Court offering a great combination of modern Jewish and Italian gastronomy.
Jewinform Magazine 2011/1
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Jewinform Office - Budapest, VII. Dohány str. 2. (in front of the Synagogue) Open: Sun-Thu: 10-17.30, Fri: 10-16, Sat: Closed.
THERMAL BATHS CULTURE in Hungary
-Spas
Beneath the territory of the whole country there are countless springs that give abundant quantity and quality(!) of thermal water. The water coming up is not only hot (many times over 70°C) but is rich in minerals making it good quality medicinal water that has curative effects.
Széchenyi Thermal Baths This is the largest spa in Budapest and one of the greatest in Europe as well. It’s location, opening hours, number of pools, services, beautiful architecture, mixed use make it the most popular amongst locals and tourists alike. Built in 1913 in neo-baroque style it has 15 bathing units, saunas and steam-baths and a large thermal unit outdoors where locals like playing chess while enjoying hot water. Address: District no. XIV., Állatkerti krt. 11.
Gellért Thermal Baths Regarded as the most beautifully decorated spa by many due to the Art Nouveau building dated from 1918 that houses the baths and a hotel, and its richly decorated interior using colorful Zsolnay ceramics. It’s most famous part is the two-storey glass covered swimming pool. Address: District no. XI., Kelenhegyi út 4.
Rudas Thermal Bath Built during the Turkish occupation times in the 16th century that defined the bath’s structure and usage still giving it a special, intimate atmosphere. Address: District no. I., Döbrentei tér 9.
QUICK GUIDE for ruin bar
hopping
1. Szimpla Kert –your journey should definitely begin in this authentic ruin pub, one of the first of its kind offering laid-back surroundings, live music, drinks and international clientele.
2. Szóda – named after the popular sparkling water of the locals, soda plus wine make fröccs (spritzer) a must-try of the Hungarian bar scene. Dance floor available in its basement. 3. Fogasház – more than just a pub it operates as a cultural venue with a contemporary gallery, concerts and film clubs. 4. Grandio – located in the internal garden of an old apartment house filled with trees and plants where strange statues, table tennis and backpackers all feel natural. 5. Kerts – from spring to autumn open air gardens (called kerts in Hungarian) are the most popular places to hang out. These two are located in the Jewish district almost opposite each other and are very popular since their opening: Ellátó Kert and Kőleves Kert. Jewinform Magazine 2011/1 Jewinform Office - Budapest, VII. Dohány str. 2. (in front of the Synagogue) Open: Sun-Thu: 10-17.30, Fri: 10-16, Sat: Closed.
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CULTURAL
Scene Events and
Unique and rich entertainment options have become one of the main strengths of Hungary’s tourism appeal in the last years due to the international fame of the classical music performances, the booming ruin pub culture and the yearly held Jewish Summer Festival and Sziget Festival to name a few.
Classical Music The main institutions of classical music are the Franz Liszt Music Academy, the new impressive concert halls of the Palace of Arts and the stunning Opera House where today’s world famous Hungarian stars like Zoltán Kocsis and Iván Fischer usually perform.
Live Music Budapest’s nightlife is famous for the bars offering quality live music of different genres from jazz to blues and from swing to rock. Jazz music is one of the most popular and is available at bars like Budapest Jazz Club, Take Five, Jelen and Jedermann. Other popular venues famous for their live music organized every night are Old Man’s Pub, Fat Mo’s, Silenus Pub, Pótkulcs, Roham Bár, Csak Art Bar and Rézmál.
TOP
Museums of
Budapest 1. Museum of Fine Arts 2. Hungarian National Museum 3. Jewish Museum 4. Hungarian National Gallery 5. Museum of Applied Arts
Jewish Summer Festival Yearly held festival organized in the last week of summer to celebrate Jewish tradition and multiculturalism with colourful program on gorgeous venues including the Dohány Street Synagogue. 27 August – 5 September 2011, www.jewishfestival.hu
Liszt Year 2011 The whole year is dedicated to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the legendary world-famous Hungarian composer, Franz Liszt at various venues of the city. More information at www.liszt-2011.hu
Exhibition highlights Károly Markó the Elder, and His Followers. From Myth to Vision - Hungarian National Gallery, 6 May - 2 October, 2011
Franz Liszt and “Gypsy Music” - Museum of Ethnography, 18 March - 29 August, 2011 László Moholy-Nagy -The Art of Light - Ludwig Museum, 10 June – 25 Sept., 2011 Jewinform Magazine 2011/1
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Jewinform Office - Budapest, VII. Dohány str. 2. (in front of the Synagogue) Open: Sun-Thu: 10-17.30, Fri: 10-16, Sat: Closed.
DID you
know?
Sightseeing for a single ticket The ideal location of the tram line no2 and its stops make this tram a perfect way to discover the beauties of the city for only the price of a single ticket. Getting on the tram at Jászai Mari tér you will pass the impressive building of the Parliament, the tram continues its way by the river so you can see the Chain Bridge and the Buda Castle through the windows.
Theodore Herzl’s vision The father of the Jewish State and of modern political Zionism, Theodore Herzl, was born in 1860 in Budapest to a Jewish family. Herzl’s book, “The Jewish State’ was published in 1896, to immediate acclaim and controversy. The Jewish Museum is located on the same site where Herzl’s birth house used to stand.
TOP3 hidden treasures
TOP3 free activities
The caves beneath the Buda Hills such as Szemlőhegy and Pálvölgyi Caves are available to visitors – even under the Buda Castle there is a labyrinth available for visitors.
Walking on the Danube Promenade to take pictures and crossing the Chain Bridge on foot.
Children’s railway – a heritage from the communist era with students working on this train riding in the nice environment of the Buda Hills is a very unique attraction of the city. Trying the Libegő (chairlift) is a good alternative as well.
A visit to the Gouba – the Sunday Market in downtown Gozsdu passage to get original crafts and to meet local designers and vendors. Entrances at Király street 13 or Dob street 16. A visit to the Fisherman’s bastion for a romantic view in the evening on the floodlit city.
The tomb of Gül Baba in Buda – visit the beautiful memorial place of this Turkish leader, this part of Buda is so hidden even locals might have never been there before.
Jewinform Magazine 2011/1 Jewinform Office - Budapest, VII. Dohány str. 2. (in front of the Synagogue) Open: Sun-Thu: 10-17.30, Fri: 10-16, Sat: Closed.
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USEFUL
information Basic information
In case of emergency
Official name: Republic of Hungary. Independent, democratic republic in Central Europe. Its capital and largest city is Budapest with approx. 2 million habitants. The country is a member of the OECD, NATO, the European Union, and the Schengen Zone. Territory: 93 036 square kilometers
Population: 10,005,000 Time zone: CET (UTC +1) Currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF)
Climate and weather
Hungary and Budapest has temperate, transitional climate meaning that it has four seasons with a yearly average temperature of + 8-12°C. January is the coldest month with -4-7°C and July is the hottest with 25-30°C.
Telephone numbers
The country code for Hungary is +36, Budapest’s code is 1 and telephone numbers in Budapest have 7 digits, so when calling landline make sure you put +36 1 in front the given seven digits. The mobile phone numbers are always seven digits but in front it’s always +36 20 (Telenor), +36 30 (T-Mobile) or +36 70 (Vodafone) depending on the mobile provider.
Police: 107 Ambulance: 104 Fire department: 105 General emergency number: 112 Customs and Finance Guard Office: +36-1-301-6951
Exchanging money
Under no circumstances should you exchange money at agents on the street. You can purchase Hungarian Forint from any bank, or from the official exchange offices, where you will be given an invoice of your transaction.
Restaurants
In restaurants, cafés and bars you should always check the prices stated on the menu in HUF. Some restaurants may charge a tip or service fee of 10-15%, which must be stated on the menu. Make sure your already include the tip in your payment for the service and not after receiving the change.
Imprint
Jewinform Magazine is published by the Jewish Tourism and Cultural Centre of the Budapest Jewish Community. Publisher: Vera Vadas dr. Editor: Agnes Hanyecz. Pictures are from the picture gallery of the Tourism Office of Budapest and of the Hungarian National Tourism Office. Graphic design: Graphicat Kft. - www.graphicat.hu Printed by: Pátria Nyomda Zrt.
Jewinform Magazine 2011/1
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Jewinform Office - Budapest, VII. Dohány str. 2. (in front of the Synagogue) Open: Sun-Thu: 10-17.30, Fri: 10-16, Sat: Closed.
1 Dohรกny Street Synagogue 2 Rumbach Street Synagogue 3
Kazinczy Street Synagogue
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Holocaust Memorial Centre
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Shoes on the Danube Promenade
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