Rumbach Street Synagogue Explained

Rumbach Street Synagogue
Native Name:Hungarian: Rumbach utcai Zsinagóga
Image Upright:1.4
Religious Affiliation:Neolog Judaism
Festivals:-->
Organizational Status:-->
Functional Status:Active
Location:Rumbach Sebestyén St. 11-13, Belváros, Budapest
Country:Hungary
Map Type:Hungary Budapest
Map Size:250
Map Relief:1
Architect:Otto Wagner
Architecture Type:Synagogue architecture
Architecture Style:Moorish Revival
Groundbreaking:1869
Year Completed:1872
Date Destroyed:-->
Facade Direction:Southwest
Length:50m (160feet)
Width:35m (115feet)
Height Max:28m (92feet)
Dome Quantity:Two
Materials:Brick
Elevation Ft:-->
Footnotes:[1]

The Rumbach Street Synagogue (Hungarian: Rumbach utcai zsinagóga), also called the Status Quo Ante Synagogue, is a Neológ congregation and synagogue, located in Belváros, the inner city of the historical old town of Pest, in the eastern section of Budapest, Hungary. Since 2021, the building has also been used as a concert hall and Jewish museum.

History

The synagogue was built in 1872 for the The Status Quo congregation to the design of Otto Wagner, a Viennese architect.[2] Intentionally meant to serve the members of the Neológ community of Pest, its construction coincided with the Schism in Hungarian Jewry of 1869, and it became the home of the more conservative fraction.

Completed in the Moorish Revival style, the synagogue has eight sides and was restored during 2021 with a grant from the Budapest Government. The octagonal, balconied, domed synagogue intricately patterned and painted in Islamic style is exquisitely beautiful. It was built not as an exact replica of, but as an homage to the style of the octagonal, domed Dome of the Rock shrine in Jerusalem.

Historically, but especially since the completion of its renovation in the summer of 2021, the synagogue regularly hosts plays, concerts, photo exhibits and other cultural events.[3]

A modern, revamped and restored building was inaugurated in June 2021. The restoration costs included a US$11.2m grant from the Hungarian state.[4] [5]

See also

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Status Quo (Rumbach St.) Synagogue in Budapest . Historic synagogues of Europe . . n.d. . 18 July 2024 .
  2. Book: Krinsky, Carol . Synagogues of Europe . Dover Publications . New York . 1996 . 0-486-29078-6 . 108 . .
  3. Web site: Beautifully restored Rumbach Synagogue now home to religion and culture . We Love Budapest . 2021-06-25 .
  4. News: 10 June 2021 . Revamped Rumbach Synagogue Inaugurated – Photos! . Hungary Today . 21 February 2022.
  5. News: After 60 years of decay Budapest's grand Rumbach synagogue has new lease on life . . 2021 .