BUDAPEST SITES

                                           A Couple Must-See Sites
Dohany Synagogue

       The Dohany Synagogue, with seating capacity for 3000, is a striking Byzantine structure, and is Europe’s largest, and the world’s second largest, synagogue. Built in 1859, it is still used by Budapest’s conservative Jewish community. With its two 140-foot-high onion domes, it is a fine example of Moorish-Revival architecture. The synagogue has recently been restored. Next door is the Jewish Museum.

       The Holocaust Memorial, designed by a contemporary Hungarian sculptor, is in the form of a weeping willow tree. Thin metal leaves, purchased by survivors and descendants of relatives fall from the branches. It is a moving memorial.

      Budapest had one of the largest Jewish populations in Europe. Centuries ago Jews had to live outside the walled city. When the city expanded those areas beyond the walls were included into the city. During the Nazi occupation of Hungary over 20,000 Jews took refuge in the synagogue. However, 7000 did not survive the bleak winter of 1944-45. The original brick wall of the Jewish Ghetto can still be seen.

       Auschwitz swallowed 600,000 Jews. During WW II, Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat, saved many Jews by supplying them with false passports.

Open Air Museum

      One day with a pleasant ride through the countryside, up around the Danube Bend we stopped at the Hungarian Museum, an open air eco-museum. Established in 1967, it opened in 1974. It is a reconstructed village from the last century.

     Stopping by an old cemetery a docent explained the wooden grave markers. “The blue marker means the person was a child. The black marker, an adult. The marker for a male is pointed, the marker for females is rounded. If a female married more than once she had another rounded mound. The markers are carved of wood, and were used to tell a story before people could read or write.”

      I found this interesting as I’d never heard nor seen such markers before.

      We learned that eventually there will be 300 buildings in 10 units. During my visit, there were 80 houses, 3 churches, a chapel, 7 mills, an inn, school, and workshops. The museum explains history and also illustrates social differences.

      In passing she said, “Feudalism was eliminated in the 18^th century. In the 19^th century one in 20 was titled noble, but was not necessarily rich.”

      Walking around the complex we spotted several different fruits ripening on trees.  It was a very interesting visit.

Parliament Tour

      The top of my priority list on my  third or fourth trip to Budapest was to tour the inside of the Parliament Building. It is a magnificent building and you might like to check post 4-2-14