This area of the Hungarian capital may not be as well known to tourists as Castle Hill, Váci Street or Heroes' Square, but for visitors looking to gain some insight into the country's history and rich cultural present, it shouldn't be left out.   

The neighborhood as we know it today was established at the turn of the 19th century when the jewish community gathered in the 7th District along the road leading to the bridge that crosses the Danube. The center of this area became Király Street.   This was also where in 1944 the Pest Ghetto was built, crowding 70.000 people together. 




In 2002 this historic neighborhood, bordered by Király and Csányi Street, Klauzál Square, Kisdiófa, Dohány Street and Károly Boulevard was named the old Jewish Quarter of Pest and was entered into the World Heritage Conservation Zone.  

This area is home to most of the city's Jewish cultural heritage sites, including the famous „Synagogue Triangle.” At Dohány Street 2. you will find the world's second largest and Europe's largest synagogue, the Dohány Street Synagogue. The site of this building is also the birthplace of Theodor Herzl, Father of Zionism. In the garden is the Martyrs' Cemetery and the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial. Adjacent to the temple is the Jewish Museum. The second point of the Triangle is the synagogue on Rumbach Street, also known as „the little synagogue.” The third point is the Kazinczy Street Orthodox Synagogue. This area is home to kosher shops and Budapest's only mikveh (ritual bath). 



This historic district, as a part of the city's rehabilitation strategy, started to to look towards youth culture and tourism in recent years: from 2002 some now very popular cafes, bars and summer music venues opened in buildings that were earlier considered for demolition: the Szimpla-garden, the Gozsdu Mano Klub, or the Kőleves (Stone Soup) -garden to name a few. 

Since then the area, especially Kazinczy Street is not only known for its rich cultural heritage, but for it's unique cultural present, with "ruin pubs," art and design shops, like the Kék Ló (Blue Horse)and Printa graphic design studio which incidently also function as pubs/cafes. So, come for the history, stay for the nightlife, especially if you're visiting in the summer/early autumn. 

For more information, history, other points of Jewish cultural interest and things to do I recommend visiting this site: www.jewish.hu

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