Óbuda: baroque square, synagogue, Roman arena and Kiscell: a walk in Budapest

Three eras of the 'old Buda' north of the centre: the baroque estate of the Zichy family on Fő tér, Budapest's oldest working synagogue, a Roman legion amphitheatre bigger in the arena than the Colosseum, and a hilltop monastery turned city museum. Start from HÉV H5 Szentlélek tér. No overlap with the existing routes.

Best time: Tuesday to Sunday daytime, so the Kiscell Museum is open (10:00-18:00); the last stretch is uphill

The route, stop by stop

1
Fő tér and the Zichy Mansion
Óbuda's old main square (HÉV H5 to Szentlélek tér). The baroque Zichy mansion at Fő tér 1 was built 1746-1752 (carving by Jäger and Bebo) and is now a cultural centre with museums. 20 min.
2
Óbuda Synagogue
Classicist synagogue of 1820-21 by András Landherr, with a six-column Corinthian portico; reconsecrated in September 2010 after 50 years, now again a working synagogue. During restoration the 25,000 small Stars of David were repainted on the vaults. Outside view; Lajos utca. 10 min.
A classical temple-fronted synagogue from 1820-21, once serving one of the largest Jewish communities in Hungary. Hungarian Television used it as a studio, and the classic…
3
Aquincum Military Amphitheatre
Roman amphitheatre of about AD 145 for the legion camp: outer axes 131.8 x 108.4 m and an arena of 89.6 x 66.1 m, larger than the Colosseum's; it seated 10,000-13,000. Free, open site on Pacsirtamező utca. 20 min.
Built by the legio II Adiutrix in the mid-2nd century, its oval arena (89.6 x 66.1 m) is larger than the Colosseum's, and 10,000-13,000 spectators watched gladiator and animal…
4
Kiscelli Museum
Uphill: a Trinitarian monastery and church built 1738-1758 on a pilgrimage site to a copy of the Mariazell Madonna, later a barracks and a private 'Schmidt castle'. Now the Budapest History Museum's Kiscell Museum and Municipal Gallery: city history, old shop signs, and exhibitions and concerts in the gutted baroque church. Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, closed Mon; free with Budapest Card. 60 min.
An 18th-century Baroque Trinitarian monastery built on the Zichy family's land in the Óbuda hills, later a barracks, a hospital and a private mansion, now the Budapest History…

Walking directions

Óbuda: baroque square, synagogue, Roman arena and Kiscell

The route, stop by stop

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