Medieval Jewish Prayer House, Budapest, Medieval synagogue in Castle District, Hungary
The Medieval Jewish Prayer House is a prayer room on the ground floor of 26 Mihaly Tanczics Street with Gothic pillars and historical stone carvings on its walls. The space preserves both the original medieval architecture and religious decorations added over the centuries.
The prayer house dates to the late 14th century when Jewish settlers established themselves in Buda following King Bela IV's invitation after the Mongol invasion. The building served various purposes through the centuries before being restored to religious use.
The prayer room walls show preserved Hebrew inscriptions and frescoes from the 17th century, including Hannah's prayer and a Star of David pattern. These religious symbols and texts provide insight into the spiritual life of the medieval Jewish community.
Visitors should note the prayer house is located in a historic building in the Castle District that is reachable on foot and sits near other medieval monuments. Entry is possible, but checking ahead about service times and events is wise since these can affect visiting hours.
The building functioned as a museum exhibition space for decades before being restored as an active prayer site in 2018 and now hosts services. This restoration transformed it back into a living religious center for today's community.
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