The largest in Europe synagogue is a very imposing building of yellow brick with red Mudejar décor. It was built in 1854-59, when almost a quarter of Budapest population were Jews. At one time, close to 3,000 people would attend the service at the same time. Inside you can see two balconies of dark wood above the main floor. The torah arch is a large white Mudejar arch with gilding, and behind it is a large organ. The cupola and ceiling are covered in squares decorated with multicolored Sephardic designs with pink background red/green/blue/purple colors of the patterns. Walls are covered with beige/yellow marble without decorations. Modern stained-glass windows with stars of David bring light into this large but now rather empty synagogue.

In the yard of the synagogue, you can visit the cemetery, which is a collection of plates with names of all Jews who died during WWII in Budapest. Over 3,000 people who died in the ghetto were buried here. There is also a Holocaust memorial in the shape of a willow with leaves and branches turned down towards the ground, as if crying for those who died. Each leaf has a name written on it on both sides. This is a very somber and striking monument, and it doesn’t leave anybody untouched. Seventy percent of Hungarian Jews died in Auschwitz. Of 184,000 Budapest Jews, only 85,000 lived to see the end of WWII.

There is also a large museum of Jewish history with a nice collection of candlesticks, Torah scrolls, Rimmonim, goblets, Torah breastplates, books in Yiddish, menorahs, Seder plates, various items for prayer, bridal decorations and Kettubahs - most items date back from 17th to 19th centuries. The last several rooms are devoted to the memory of those who died during WWII – here you can see pictures of the concentration camps, clothes worn by people in the Ghetto and camps, portraits of people who helped Hungarian Jews like Raoul Wallenberg and Angelo Rotta. There are also pictures of some of the fascists who were seized in 1945, after the liberation, and executed for their crimes against humanity.

There was also a wonderful temporary exhibition: Herzl (1860-1904) – which had a large number of original documents and photographs of Theodor Herzl as well as other leaders of the Zionist movement, creation of "Die Welt", photos of the first settlements in Palestine, and a signed copy of the first edition of "The Jewish state".

The Byzantine-Moorish architecture is rather dramatic, with two domed towers looking almost Russian in flavor. The ornately decorated interior is dazzling and indicative of the major financial support the synagogue has received from Hungarian Jews all over the world.

Adjacent is the Zsido Muzeum, or Jewish Museum, displaying a number of interesting artifacts that illustrate Hungary's Jewish history.

On a recent trip to Budapest, for example, I was planning to concentrate on research activities that related directly to food and wine. But, then I was presented with the opportunity to tour the historic Dohány Utca, the Dohány Street Synagogue. It would have been easy to say "I'm not Jewish," or "I don't know anything about synagogues," but, instead, I welcomed the opportunity to become familiar with this, Europe's largest synagogue and, regardless of its size, an outstanding architectural treasure. As a result, my trip to Budapest was even more fascinating.

This historic synagogue dates from the 18th century, even though it was difficult for Jews to get there because they were persecuted. If you’re Jewish, you’ll enjoy this rich part of your cultural past, but, even if you are not Jewish, you will marvel at its exotic and rich architecture. Towering onion-shaped domes, with gold-plated ornamentation, ancient frescoes, rich mosaics, massive chandeliers and, throughout, an ornate Moorish Eastern luxurious richness adds a mystical quality about it that transcends time.

Just as fascinating is the adjacent Jewish Museum, with its rich collection of artistic items used in religious services, as well as the dramatic Holocaust Weeping Willow, by Imre Varga, in memory of the estimated Hungarian 600,000 Jews who were killed by the Nazis during World War II. Each leaf is engraved with the name of a victim. If you have heard of actor Tony Curtis, you’ll be interested to know that he helped fund this memorial.

Particularly touching is the memorial to Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish Diplomat who came to Hungary to save Jews and lost his life as a result of it—and the stones that people have laid on this memorial to honor him.

This was the first time I have been in a synagogue and, it inspired me to learn more about the Jewish religion and the history of the Jewish people. When you’re in Budapest, don’t miss the opportunity to see this rich architectural treasure.