Hungarian Jewish Heritage Route in Eastern Hungary – Introducing Orthodox pilgrim memorials

Information about program number GINOP-7.1.4-16-2016-00002 with the subject “Development of tourism related to religious cultural heritage”

The aim of the project is to create touristic attractions extending beyond settlement borders, ensuring that Jewish cultural and historical heritage is preserved and presented in a comprehensible way, guests are welcome in tedious surroundings, events are conducted on a high standard of quality, more overnight stays are generated, and jobs are created for local residents. Locations of the project preserve the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Hungarian Jewry. By developing the infrastructure of currently visited religious touristic sites, a broader target group can be reached, and seasonal fluctuation of the number of tourists can be reduced.

Immediate goals of the project:

Creating a pilgrimage road to facilitate the practice of religion,Preserving and introducing Jewish cultural heritage, along with creating a profitable attraction,Improving hospitality services and creating fastidious service facilities for pilgrim tourists arriving at the destination areas,Boosting tourism in the settlements,Establishing a favourable investment climate: creating related services for tourists, broadening the scope of programs,“Stopping” thoroughfare, increasing the number of overnight stays,Creating a program that is available all year round, thus, decreasing seasonal fluctuation of the number of tourists.

Sátoraljaújhely

The town was the centre of the Hasidic Jewry, and is now visited by thousands of pilgrims each year, who come to see the grave of Moshe Teitelbaum. Currently there is no appropriate touristic infrastructure. Within the confines of the development, a pilgrim house with 75 places, a ritual bath (mikveh) and a prayer room is going to be built. There is also going to be an exhibition space in the renovated building, equipped with the most modern exhibition technology.

Nagykálló

The old Jewish cemetery on Nagybalkányi street has been a pilgrimage site for Hasidic Jews to this day. In order to preserve and interpret the spiritual heritage of the settlement, a pilgrim house is going to be constructed. A synagogue, an event room and an exhibition space is going to be established in the orthodox pilgrim house.

Nyírtass

A new pilgrimage centre is going to be established, in order to revive the tradition of the Jewry living before the War. In this institution, a permanently operating guest house, conference centre, ritual bath, synagogue, kosher diner and learning centre is going to operate, right beside the holy grave of the late chief rabbi of Tass.

Makó

An “information point” for the Jewish pilgrimage road is going to be created on the premises of the synagogue complex, in an office not currently used. The information point showcases the history of the Makó Jewry, the life and deeds of wonder rabbis and tzadiks with the most modern tools, and also introduces renowned graves of the three cemeteries in Makó. Due to the poor condition of the road, approaching the cemetery was quite a challenge for those visiting. Therefore, we ensured access to the cemetery in the Northern part of the town by constructing a paved road.

Miskolc

Buildings found in the immediate surroundings of the synagogue, currently used as prayer room and shop, are going to be renovated. Here, a visitors’ centre, equipped with the most modern exhibition technology is going to be created, hosting the rabbi’s room and prayer room, commemorating the life of the rabbis who lived here before. Attraction-related infrastructure for trading gift items, suiting the image of the region and what it has to offer, is also going to be established (shop for gifts and religious items).