Budapest - Day 1 - Old City tour

Upon arrival to Budapest, we went to a Budapest Walkative tour and learned about this fascinating part of a twin capital of Astro Hungarian empire, making many connections with Vienna history that we already learned! We finished the tour at the stunning Parlament building. Then we went to the second largest synagogue in the world, the appropriately called Grand Synagogue. Interestingly, the building is very unique. In order to try to compromise with the authorities of the 19 century that pushed Jews to assimilate, this synagogue has the pulpit for the sermons (not being used) and even organ! Creative Jews would hire non Jewish organ players to play on Shabbat, to avoid working on Shabbat. Franz List played there! To cap the evening, we were able to score one ticket to the sold out Rigoletto at the Budapest Opera and I went there!Read more