New Synagogue

About

The New Synagogue of Szeged is one of Europe’s most beautiful Jewish monuments, a masterpiece of Art Nouveau and historicist design completed in 1903. Architect Lipót Baumhorn created a building where symbolism, colour, and light work together in a uniquely harmonious way. Its 48‑metre dome, decorated with golden stars, represents the vault of heaven and gives the synagogue its unmistakable silhouette. Inside, the space feels luminous and uplifting. Soft blues, creams, and golds dominate the interior, inspired by the idea of divine light. The stained‑glass windows, designed by Miksa Róth, are among the synagogue’s greatest treasures: their floral and geometric motifs filter sunlight into a kaleidoscope of colours. The Aron Kodesh, carved from white marble and crowned with a delicate canopy, is one of the most elegant in Hungary. An interesting fact is that the synagogue’s acoustic design was far ahead of its time, making it a popular venue for concerts. The women’s gallery, supported by slender iron columns, offers a sweeping view of the dome’s intricate ornamentation. Together, these elements create an atmosphere that is both serene and monumental.

Szeged Hungary

Location

The New Synagogue in Szeged, also called the Szeged Synagogue or Great Synagogue, is located at Jósika utca 10 in the city centre, in the former Jewish quarter. It is the second-largest synagogue in Hungary and one of the largest active synagogues in the world, built in 1903 in an eclectic style that blends Oriental, Byzantine, and Art Nouveau elements. Nearby attractions include the renaissance-style Town Hall on Széchenyi Square, Reök Palace, and the Bridge of Signs (Híd a sóvárok) on Széchenyi tér. You can also visit Dugonics Square with its fountain and monuments, Klauzál Square, the Black House, ParaPark Szeged, the Millennium Fountain, and Szent István Square with the Water Tower. The area is within walking distance of Szeged Cathedral (Votive Church), Dóm tér, the National Pantheon, Móra Ferenc Museum, Szeged National Theatre, and the Tisza River promenade. The Szeged Zoo and Napfényfürdő Aquapolis water park are also popular attractions slightly further from the centre, making the New Synagogue a convenient stop for visitors exploring Szeged’s cultural, architectural, and historical highlights.