Jewish heritage in the Buda Castle district

One of my favorite places in Budapest is definitely the Castle district with its historical charm and medieval atmosphere. As a tour guide and traveler, I'm strolling the streets regulary, looking for hidden beauties to capture. Let me show you the Jewish heritage and what's left behind in the old Buda.

The Castle District on the Buda Hill was first established in the 13th century, when King Béla IV. built his residence here. On the very same place where the royal palace is standing today, a fortress was constructed in order to protect the nation. Ever since the city of Buda got established,  a considerable Jewish community was immediately playing an important role in the everyday life, since their legal statues was protected by the king and Jews were successful in the coin-minting industry. The first Jewish quarter came to life on the today's Szent György street, near the Royal Palace.

Royal Palace

Medieval streets

Original Mikveh from the Middle Ages

Every time Jews settle down, they build a mikveh even before building a synagogue. Mikveh is a ritual bath, it's the symbol of purification. There are various reasons when Jews use the establishment, these could be occasions like before getting married or visiting the cemetery. According to the Jewish regulations, the bath needs to be connected to natural springs, which was fulfilled in this case, the Buda hill is rich even in thermal water. While standing at the Palota street nr 1 near an old gate, nobody would guess that just a few steps away what a pure treasure is hiding. After strolling the old cellar, you will get to a small mikveh originating from the 13th century. I was fascinated by the mysterious scene. You can also visit the ritual bath every Monday, check the upcoming tours HERE!

The first synagogue of Buda

A few steps away from the mikveh, right under the Palota street, the ruins of the the first synagogue was found by archeologists in 2005. They discovered the precious stones accidentally when pipeworks were carried out. We are not even able to guess how big the Jewish community could have been at that time, but it's sure that the old Fehérvári gate and its neighborhood was occupied by the Jews. Unfortunately no signs are indicating the layout of the first synagogue, but if you join my tours, I can show you its exact place.

The old Jewish quarter and the entrance to the Mikveh - Palota str.1.

The second Jewish district

The families were forced to leave their homes during King Lajos IV. The houses were bought by the nobility. Finally a new Jewish quarter got established on the today's Táncsics street, where they built their second synagogue in the 15th century. The excavation of this building was carried out by a professional team of archeologists in the 1960s. Since the ruins were found in a private garden of a house, they had to burry them back. Many years ago American Jews tried to get financial resources to make an exhibition on spot, but they faced difficulties due to the lack of property rights.

During the Turkish occupation the Jews were paying taxes to the Turks and they had a good relationship with them. While expelling the Ottomans out of Buda in the 17th century, there were huge battles in the district, finally the Habsburg army killed all the Jews who gathered in the synagogue. Nobody survived and that's the sad end of the Jewish history in the castle district.

The stones and a few old columns of the second synagogue can be still visited in the Prayer House across the street.

The newly opened Prayer House in the heart of Buda

The third so called "little synagogue" was excavated in Buda in the 1960s as well, it was a prayer house. The place features original frescoes from the Middle Ages. You can see the star of David, the other one is a referring to Hanna's Prayer. Due to its specific spelling, they've found out that it must have been originating from the Turkish times, which was the golden age of Jews in the area.

Entrance - Táncsics str 26.

After 400 years the Prayer House was rebuilt and renovated, today it got back its original function. Except from worship time and special holidays, anyone can visit the special historical sight. By the entrance you will see old graves from the Jewish cemetery. In the courtyard have a look at the historical columns that were part of the second synagogue!

Although you can never change history, become part of it by discovering the hidden treasures in the world! The Jewish heritage in Buda definitely needs more attention. I personally feel that there are many more stories buried under the Castle Hill and waiting to be discovered one day.

Sources:

Zolnay László: Középkori zsinagógák a Budai várban
Kubesch Mária: Welcome to Budapest