Jewish Budapest
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Kazinczy utca 5: The House of the Bell-Makers
This apartment building, located at Kazinczy utca 5 in the 7th district of Budapest, was designed by Antal Klenovits and completed in 1895. It was originally constructed for Anna Mária, Ferenc, Jakab Antal, and Klára Walser. Ferenc Walser owned a bell foundry located on the opposite side of the street, at Kazinczy utca 6/a. Ferenc…
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Népszínház utca 40: Echoes of Jewish Culture in Budapest
Here are a few of my photos of Népszínház utca 40 in Józsefváros, the 8th district of Budapest. This house, designed by József Porgesz (who also designed Salétrom utca 6) and Izsó Sugár, was built in 1907 for Mór Szenes. If you’re interested in Budapest’s Art Nouveau architectural heritage, you might recognize the name Szenes…
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Sanctuary and Diplomacy: The Building of the Spanish Embassy in Budapest
A wealthy mansion in Budapest, once home to the Hatvany Deutsch family, became the Spanish Embassy in 1922. During WWII, it provided refuge for persecuted Jews, with the Ambassador aiding in saving over 5,200 lives.
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Székely Mihály utca 12: Second-Hand Stores and Stabbing in Terézváros
This old house is located at Székely Mihály utca 12. Prior to the war, this narrow street, then known as Kazár utca in Terézváros, the 6th district of Budapest, was bustling with second-hand stores selling clothing once owned by affluent individuals. Many of these shops were owned by Jews, with synagogues of Erzsébetváros nearby and…
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Orczy út 27: Jakab Grünfeld’s Distillery
This house, situated at the intersection of Orczy út and Sárkány utca (specifically Orczy út 27), was once owned by the Grünfeld family, renowned for their success in the production and distribution of various alcoholic beverages such as pálinka, rum, and liquors. Jakab Grünfeld, the patriarch, operated a distillery and a tavern on this site.…
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Síp utca 8-10 : Ruins in the Heart of Erzsébetváros
In recent years, I’ve captured thousands of photos of old buildings in Budapest. Editing and organizing them is an incredible time commitment. As a way to slow down and contemplate my subject matter more deeply, I sometimes choose to shoot on film. This particular photograph was taken from the building of the Jewish Community of…
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Kosciuszko Tádé utca 6: From Istanbul to Budapest – the Captivating Story of the Camhi Family
When I was a student, I spent a year and a half living in a flat in Budapest’s 1st district. During that time, I often strolled down Kosciuszko Tádé utca, a street honoring the famous Polish military leader Tadeusz Kościuszko. Each time, I couldn’t resist pausing to admire the striking Art Deco facade, marked by…
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Frankel Leó út 49 : The Hidden Synagogue
The Frankel Leó Synagogue, also known as the Újlaki Synagogue, is tucked away in a courtyard in Budapest’s 2nd district. Designed by Sándor Fellner, it was originally surrounded by small houses and shops. The adjacent apartment building was constructed later, in 1928, and became home to members of the local Jewish community. In the early…
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Hölgy utca 16 : Secret Art Nouveau Gem of Budapest
Kőbánya, Budapest’s 10th district, is often overlooked by tourists. However, this industrial area boasts some hidden treasures that make a visit worthwhile. Explore the exquisite Saint Ladislaus Church, an architectural masterpiece by Ödön Lechner, an intriguing Art Deco Evangelical church, or the vibrant Chinese district offering authentic cuisine. Additionally, Kőbánya reveals stunning Art Nouveau buildings,…
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The Jews of Budapest During the Holocaust : Yellow-Star Houses
Between June and November 1944, the 1,944 compulsory places of residence for Jews in Budapest were designated, from where they were either sent to the ghetto or to “protected houses.” This network of yellow-star houses comprised almost 1,950 designated compulsory places of residence for approximately 220,000 Budapest Jews from June 21, 1944, until late November…
Buildings Tell Tales 