JEWISH HERITAGE BUHCAREST
Walking and Driving UNIQUE TOUR
aprox 3 h 30 minutes
With only about 2,000 members of the Jewish community remaining in Bucharest today, it is hard to imagine that in 1930 it made up as much as 11% of the city’s population. The Jewish quarter was severely affected by the Fascist pogrom in the 1940s, and later by demolitions initiated in the 1980s by the communists—most streets were erased from the map and six synagogues and Jewish temples were demolished. Still, several emblematic buildings have survived and are here to tell their stories.
THE TOUR INCLUDES:
The CHORAL TEMPLE (interior visit)
The main synagogue and best-known monument of Jewish heritage in Bucharest. Built in Moorish style between 1864 and 1866, it used the Leopolstädter Temple—once Vienna’s greatest synagogue (destroyed during Kristallnacht on November 10, 1938)—as its model.
The GREAT POLISH SYNAGOGUE (interior visit)
This historical monument, constructed in 1845, houses the Holocaust Museum. It features beautiful decorative details and an exhibition about the Holocaust in Romania.
The HOLY UNION TEMPLE (interior visit)
Home to the Jewish History Museum, this venue showcases the history of Jews in Romania, including a collection of paintings by Romanian Jewish painters and various ritual objects.
The JEWISH STATE THEATRE (exterior visit)
Recognized as the oldest Yiddish-language theater with uninterrupted activity in the world, this theatre was founded around 140 years ago. You will view the exterior of the theatre and hear the story of this great cultural institution. During the war, while Jewish actors were barred from Romanian theaters, they were permitted to perform here (in the so-called “Barasheum”) under certain conditions.
Optional: Upon request—subject to the availability of the local guide and provided that the actors are not rehearsing—an interior visit can be added to the tour, extending it by approximately 45 minutes. Please request this option at least 48 hours prior to the tour.
The BEIT HAMIDRASH SYNAGOGUE
The oldest of Bucharest’s Jewish places of worship, with origins dating back to the late 18th century.
- Former locations:
- The MALBIM SYNAGOGUE
- The CAHAL GRANDE SYNAGOGUE
- The Memorial to the Victims of the Holocaust in Romania
A monument commemorating the Jewish victims of the Holocaust during World War II. - Former Financial Palaces / Banks
- A brief architectural tour of a small square (off the beaten track)
Featuring some of Bucharest’s most impressive buildings, designed by Jewish architects in styles ranging from Traditionist and Art Deco to Modernist and even Gothic. - The former Jewish inns
Tour Details:
- Duration: Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Starting Time: 09:00
- Operating Days: Monday through Friday
Meeting / Pick-up Place:
Hotel Central (Strada Ion Brezoianu nr.13)
Upon request, the tour guide can meet you in the hotel lobby and arrange a taxi/Uber/Bolt to transport you to the Jewish district.
End of the Tour / Drop-off Place:
Trattoria Verdi (Strada Mamulari nr.1)
Price: Please contact us for details.
By INTELLIGENT TOURISM & EVENTS
Phone: +40 722 235095
Email: office@bucharestjewishtours.com
Price:
Please contact us for details.
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