Unfortunately, I had a negative experience at the Coral Temple in Bucharest. Upon arriving, I realized that I needed cash to enter, which was inconvenient as I didn't have any on me. I decided to take some photos from outside instead, following the instructions given by the guard. However, a rude and aggressive individual appeared out of nowhere and started shouting at us, insisting we pay or leave. Despite my attempts to explain our situation, he continued to yell at us, eventually physically pushing us out of the gate. It was disappointing to encounter such an inappropriate representative of the Jewish community in Bucharest. Despite the beautiful architecture and rich history of the temple, this encounter left a sour taste in my mouth.
24.07.23
arieh
The most unwelcoming, unpleasant and upsetting experience I have ever had and would have never imagined about the European capital's central synagogue (and I visited literally hundreds of synagogues from Nordics to South Africa and New Zealand a.. Read more »nd from Far East and Oceania to South America).
Entrance cost 20 Lei, ok I get it. We came there Friday afternoon but unfortunately did not have cash on us (and they accept only cash, of course, but... ok) so we decided to skip visiting the inside and just take some photos from outside; the guard kindly explained where we can take pictures from. Alright till now.
Suddenly, out of the blue a very rude and noisy guy popped up and started literally barking and yelling at us and waving a finger "Pay! No pay - out!! Go!! Pay!! Go!! Out! Out!!!" (That was pretty much his whole vocabulary in English and a lot of pointing a finger.)
I tried to explain that we do not go inside because we do not have cash, just taking pictures of the facade and that this was what the guard told us, that we are visiting from Israel and wanted to check the Saturday service times to participate, but the man kept loudly barking "Out! Go! Out!!!" almost physically pushing us through the gate.
Ok, English did not work out, I tried to speak to him in Hebrew, yet to no avail: the guy had no clue, not a word in Hebrew, just yelling "Out!!".
And it is not like he was very busy to just answer a couple of simple questions (not to mention why we cannot take pictures from outside) - there were no visitors when we were there.
I have no idea what his role in the congregation and the synagogue is but if this is the frontman and the face of the Jewish community of Bucharest that the tourists meet, I feel very sorry for the congregation.
However beautiful building with fascinating history would that be, if it is represented by a totally inadequate person it is nothing more but concrete and glass. Shame...
אנשי קהילת בוקרשט היקרים, אני לא שייך לקהילתכם אבל אני מתבייש ומצטער שככה נראים הפנים שהמבקרים שלכם פוגשים. פשוט בושה. ואני אדאג לפרסם זאת גם באתרים יהודיים נוספים כדי שהמבקרים ידעו למה לצפות.
שתהיה לכם שבת שלום וכל טוב.
03.06.23
SACHA
A real piece of art in the Old City of Bucharest. Design and architecture are amazingly beautiful!
21.05.23
Sean
One of top to do things for a historian or culture vulture in Bucuresti. Three host is highly knowledgeable friendly and philosophic. Highly recommend. Suggestion if I can make a suggestion it would be that he puts his lecture onto CD or a YouTube vi.. Read more »deo so that it can reach out to more people because I cannot emphasise how interesting he is to hear.
27.04.23
Michael
An absolutely beautiful synagogue. It was amazing to experience this amazingly historic place. It was a wonderful place to learn about the history of the Jews in Romania and Bucharest, and about there current lived experiences.
22.04.23
Brandon
Absolutely stunning! I went in a tour for my school group and it was wonderful learning about the Jewish community here in Bucharest. I’m appalled by the history of anti-semitism and I’m glad that this community and building has been able.. Read more » to persevere.
24.02.23
R
Gorgeous temple with a long history. The tour provided was fantastic and very informative. Before WWII there were 850,000 Jews in Romania and now there’s only 3,000. I wish this community the best of luck in the future
22.02.23
Marion
Impressive and beautyfull. We had a great gide who told us so kuch facts. We even checkt the floor in front of him if he had not written down everything there. But he didn't 😄
20.12.22
amit
Beautiful place with rich history, interesting information to hear from the gabay. The place is safe and under constant protection
22.10.22
Ionut
Coral Temple is one of the most beautiful historical monument in Bucharest, unfortunately not very well known and underrated. It is a replica of the Templegasse Synagogue in Vienna. It is reported as Temporary Close on Google Maps but in reality it i.. Read more »s open, so if you want to visit call or check their Facebook page. To visit it you are required to present an ID, so make sure you have one with you. The building carrer act also asa guide and speaks English, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish of course Ebraic. It is an very interesting destination so I recommend reserving one or two hours to visit it.
26.09.22
Valentin
I couldn’t enter. You have to pay 15 lei to a guide if you want to visit the temple. Only cash. I didn’t have cash on me.
19.07.22
Michael
A lovely synagogue in the old city of Bucharest.
14.05.22
Kobi
Despite being Jewish and speaking Hebrew to them, they would not let me in without showing my passport which I did not have. I tried to show them my drivers liescence, however, after taking a long look at it they said I needed to show my passport ins.. Read more »tead.
Even after telling them I was Jewish and speaking Hebrew to them it was not enough. Aparantly if you have longer hair or any piercings you can't look Jewish and even a legal form of identification can't prove otherwise.
Very upsetting especially as the synagogue looked so beautiful and I did not have the time to go and get my passport to get in.
25.08.21
Henry
Interesting history. Was 15lei to the short tour. Make sure you have cash, and also an ID
28.11.20
Isabela
I'd like to explain the issue about the entrance fee, and rebut those who mentioned that all other places of worship in Europe are free of charge:
1. Despite the common perception, the synagogue does not discriminate anyone from accessing; ther.. Read more »e may be a restriction here and there if a private event (e.g. wedding) takes place but in general, the Judaic culture embraces human kind and tolerance (proof that in Israel there are gays who live in peace with the rest of the country).
2. The synagogue doesn't have funds from the Romanian government. It is solely built, renovated, and maintained by private donations. Besides, the community is small, and this synagogue does not hold services here.
3. The fee of 10 Lei ("Lions" in translation) - $2.5 - is nothing in comparison with what one pays to go to the church near Pisa tower in Italy or the Synagogue in the Netherlands.
4. The investment in culture worth the money, and with a small fee, you are fighting the antisemitic wave and denial of Holocaust. After all, this is actually a memorial monument to those innocent who died at the hysteria of the Nazis.
5. Photographing is free.
6. This synagogue has witnessed generations of leaders and forms of governement since 150 years ago: Kings, dictators, Revolution, democracy.
7. Identification with official documents has its reason: safety.
Just a note for those who are not acquainted with the culture: women do not shake hands with men among other thousands of well embraced rules and 613 commendments.
I was lucky to see it during my childhood, before and during the renovation in 2014; every time when visiting from America I leave with a bag full of amazing books that taught me history about MV Struma and what happened before WWII in Istanbul (1942) when the ship was torpedoed by the Soviets killing almost 800 refugees from Romania to Palestine.
05.06.20
Isabela
I'd like to explain the issue about the entrance fee, and rebut those who mentioned that all other places of worship in Europe are free of charge:
1. Despite the common perception, the synagogue does not discriminate anyone from accessing; ther.. Read more »e may be a restriction here and there if a private event (e.g. wedding) takes place but in general, the Judaic culture embraces human kind and tolerance (proof that in Israel there are gays who live in peace with the rest of the country).
2. The synagogue doesn't have funds from the Romanian government. It is solely built, renovated, and maintained by private donations. Besides, the community is small, and this synagogue does not hold services here.
3. The fee of 10 Lei ("Lions" in translation) is nothing in comparison with what one pays to go to the church near Pisa tower in Italy or the Synagogue in the Netherlands.
4. The investment in culture worth the money, and with a small fee, you are fighting the antisemitic wave and denial of Holocaust. After all, this is actually a memorial monument to those innocent who died at the hysteria of the Nazis.
5. Photographing is free.
6. This synagogue has witnessed generations of leaders and forms of governement since 150 years ago: Kings, dictators, Revolution, democracy.
7. Identification with official documents has its reason: safety.
Just a note for those who are not acquainted with the culture: women do not shake hands with men among other thousands of well embraced rules and 613 commendments.
I was lucky to see it during my childhood, before and during the renovation in 2014; every time when visiting from America I leave with a bag full of amazing books that taught me history about MV Struma and what happened before WWII in Istanbul (1942) when the ship was torpedoed by the Soviets killing almost 800 refugees from Romania to Palestine.
17.02.20
Ida
Naomi the tour guide gave informative and interesting history of the synagogue . She spoke in fluent English which was beneficial to us. I would add this to the"Must See" list.
09.02.20
Itzik
A huge synagogue and one of the most magnificent I have ever seen.
The entrance costs about 10 Leitz
Worth getting in and impressed with the special structure.
There are explanations in different languages by a very talented guy who knows how to rend.. Read more »er the material well.
04.11.19
Patrice
Nice synagoge. I’m not a specialist. I did find it nice to be able to wander around and have a look at a well tended to temple.
30.10.19
Mihaela
It looks very interesting but I didn't go inside. It costs 15 lei (about £3) if one wants to see the interior of this temple. It is not expensive, but all the churches I have visited in Romania as well as in other European countries are f.. Read more »ree of charge.
30.09.19
felgit
Absolutely amazing place for the Jewish visitors. Very interesting lecture by the Kantor, who is also very adorable person
29.09.19
Julian
Brings back fond memories from my childhood. Wonderfully preserved.
14.09.19
Lev
Very different place - as a matter of fact, this is a memorial of Holocaust. The synagogue isn't functioning because there are very small amount of Jews in Bucharest today
11.07.19
Steve
Exceptionally beautiful synagogue that has survived the tumultuous, horrific history of Romania in the 20th century. If you're fortunate, you may hear this history from the extremely engaging young man who works there (you'll know it's.. Read more » him if he talks faster than you can listen). Even if you miss him, this temple is absolutely worth a visit.
09.04.19
Caterina
Beautifully renovated synagogue. You can visit for a small sum of 10 lei. We were greeted by very confused and apparently overwhelmed guards. You must provide an ID at the entrance. The guide is excellent. He knows a lot of the history of the buildin.. Read more »g and of jewish heritage in general. It is great to ask him questions. The synagogue in itself is stunning! You are free to take photos.
4.4 / 67
