Középkori Zsidó Imaház (Medieval Synagogue), Budapest
The Medieval Synagogue of Budapest is a tiny Sephardic synagogue that was unexpectedly discovered in the 1960s during general excavation work in the Castle District. It dates to 1364, when Jews were allowed to return to the Castle District after having been expelled from the district by King Lajos IV years earlier.
After the massacre of Buda's Jews in the late 17th century, which followed the defeat of the occupying Turks by a Habsburg-led Christian army, the synagogue was turned into an apartment and, over the ensuing centuries, forgotten.
A nearby excavation unearthed the ruins of another, much larger, synagogue dating from 1461; all that remains of it are a keystone, on display now inside this synagogue, and three stone columns standing in the courtyard here.
Some Hebrew gravestones are also on display behind a grate in the entryway; the small one in the center of the front row dates from the 3rd century AD.
The English-speaking caretaker will give you a free informal tour if you express an interest. You can pretty much see the whole place from the entry; consider your admission fee a contribution to the museum.
Quick Facts
| Address: | I. Táncsics Mihály u. 26, Buda, Budapest, Hungary |
| Phone: | 1/355-8849 |
| Bus: | Várbusz from Moszkva tér or no. 16 from Deák tér to Castle Hill. |
| Funicular: | From Clark Ádám tér to Castle Hill |
| Hours: | May-Oct Tues-Sun 10am-6pm |
| Cost: | 300 Ft ($1.35) |
