Pécs Synagogue

Description:

• Pécs's grand old synagogue is incongruously situated in what is now one of the city's busiest shopping squares, Kossuth tér. The gentleman at the door speaks excellent English and is warm and inviting. Once inside, you will forget the outside world. Built in 1865 and consecrated in 1869, the synagogue has the original rich oak interior to this day. It was the third synagogue built in the city in Hungarian romantic style for a Neolog Jewish community. Sadly, it is the only surviving synagogue in the city after World War II. Prior to World War II, the synagogue had over 4,000 members, of whom only 464 survived the Holocaust. Every year, Pécs's small and aging Jewish community commemorates the 1944 deportations to Auschwitz on the first Sunday after July 4.

  Regular services are held in the smaller temple next door at Fürdo 1 (there isn't a sign; go through the building into the courtyard and cross diagonally to the right) on Friday at 6:30pm.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010