The Szeged Synagogue is one of the most beautiful synagogues in Europe and one of Hungary's most remarkable pieces of architecture. Built in 1903 for the prosperous Neolog Jewish community, it seats around 1,200 and was designed on a grand scale — the dome rises 48.5 metres and is visible from across the inner city. The exterior blends Moorish arches with Art Nouveau ornament in a combination that sounds incoherent in description but is wholly convincing in person.
The interior is even more impressive: richly decorated with blue and gold, flooded with coloured light from the stained glass windows, and anchored by a bimah and Torah ark of extraordinary craftsmanship. It remains an active synagogue and is open to visitors; a small exhibition in the vestibule explains the history of the Jewish community in Szeged. The community was devastated in 1944 when approximately 8,600 Jews were deported, and the exhibition does not shy away from this history. Entrance is through the grounds on Jósika utca.