Choral Temple
About Choral Temple
The Choral Temple (Templul Coral), on Strada Sfânta Vineri, is the largest synagogue in Bucharest and one of the best-known Jewish places of worship in Romania. It was built in 1864–1866 by the modern Jewish community, on the initiative of Isaac Leib Weinberg, to plans by the Viennese architects Enderle and Freiwald, in the Moorish style, as a replica of the Tempelgasse synagogue in Vienna (1855–1858, destroyed in 1938). Its inauguration was postponed after the building was set on fire in 1866, during the dispute over citizenship for Jews; after repairs, the temple was inaugurated on 6 July 1867.
The building was extended in 1932, devastated by the Legionaries in January 1941 and renovated in 1945. A new campaign of consolidation and restoration began in 2008, and the main hall was reopened in 2015. The temple is a listed historic monument (LMI code B-II-m-A-19672) and remains a working place of worship.
What you can see
The façade, ~32 m high, is clad in two-coloured brick and has a Moorish portal crowned by an arch, richly worked rosettes and small turrets at the corners. Inside, the hall has three aisles, with galleries on two levels, a polychrome ceiling, large chandeliers and the gilded Ark at the end of the hall. In front of the temple stands the menorah-shaped memorial to the victims of the Holocaust.
Good to know
It is a working synagogue, not a museum: the daily services are held in the small hall. Do not confuse it with the Great Synagogue, on Strada Vasile Adamache, another Jewish place of worship in Bucharest with a history of its own.
Information verified on 25 October 2026.
- The two-coloured brick façade, with a Moorish portal, rosettes and small turrets at the corners.
- The three-aisled hall, with galleries on two levels and a polychrome ceiling.
- The gilded Ark and the large chandeliers at the end of the hall.
- The menorah-shaped memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, in front of the temple.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the temple is in the centre of Bucharest, on Strada Sfânta Vineri, ~700 m on foot from Manuc's Inn and ~1.3 km from the Old Town. The area is busy, so the easiest option is to leave the car in a nearby car park and walk.
Public transport: by metro to Piața Unirii station, nearby, or by the buses and trams that run through the centre.
- Where to park
The centre of Bucharest has paid street parking and nearby car parks; check the markings and the rate where you stop.
- Rules
It is a working synagogue: decent dress, a low voice, and the objects and decoration are not to be touched.
Frequently asked questions about Choral Temple
- How long does a visit to Choral Temple take?
- A visit to Choral Temple takes about 30 min (main hall and façade).
- Can you visit Choral Temple with kids?
- Yes, Choral Temple is suitable for children (place of worship, keep voices low).
- Where can I park at Choral Temple?
- There is paid parking at Choral Temple (in the city centre, paid). The centre of Bucharest has paid street parking and nearby car parks; check the markings and the rate where you stop.
- How do I get to Choral Temple?
- Choral Temple is located at Strada Sfânta Vineri 9–11, București. By car: the temple is in the centre of Bucharest, on Strada Sfânta Vineri, ~700 m on foot from Manuc's Inn and ~1.3 km from the Old Town. The area is busy, so the easiest option is to leave the car in a nearby car park and walk. Public transport: by metro to Piața Unirii station, nearby, or by the buses and trams that run through the centre.
- When is the best time to visit Choral Temple?
- The best season for Choral Temple: All year round (all year).
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