The Szeged Synagogue, completed in 1903, remains one of the largest houses of worship within the former Austro-Hungarian monarchy, featuring 740 seats for men and 600 for women. This structure stands as a primary example of the work produced by Lipót Baumhorn, the most influential architect of synagogues in the first half of the 20th century.
Early Career and Training
Born in 1860 in Kisbér, Baumhorn attended the main real school in Győr before pursuing higher technical studies in Vienna. He trained under Freiherr von Ferstel, König, and Weyr at the technical university. Upon moving to Budapest, he spent 12 years gaining professional experience in the office of architects Ödön Lechner and Gyula Pártos. His formative years included travel to Italy in 1893 and 1899, followed by further architectural study tours across Central Europe in 1904.
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Baumhorn designed approximately 20 synagogues across the Kingdom of Hungary. His independent career began in 1888 with a Moorish-style synagogue in Esztergom. Over the following decades, he oversaw the construction of numerous religious buildings including those in Brașov, Temesvár, Szolnok, Cegléd, Eger, Losonc, and Liptószentmiklós, as well as multiple sites in Budapest such as Aréna-út, Páva utca, and Csáky utca. Beyond original designs, he managed extensive reconstructions and expansions, including projects in Pécs, Kaposvár, and Újpest.
Secular Commissions
While recognized for religious architecture, his portfolio included diverse secular projects. Early works featured the King of Győr table in 1890 and the Salgótarján glass factories in 1893. He designed the pavilion of the paper and reproduction industry for the 1896 millennial exhibition. His commercial and educational buildings included the Temesvár higher girls' school, the Szeged-Csongrád Savings Bank, the Újvidék Savings Bank, the Baja Savings Bank, the Temesvár Lloyd, and the Stock Exchange Palace built between 1910 and 1912.
Fast facts
- Born: 1860, Kisbér
- Died: 1932, Kisbér
- Nationality: Hungarian
- Burial site: Kozma Street Jewish Cemetery
- Education: TU Wien
- Notable Synagogue: Szeged Synagogue (1903)
- Professional tenure in Budapest: 12 years under Lechner and Pártos
Questions readers ask
How many synagogues did Lipót Baumhorn design?
He drew blueprints for approximately 20 synagogues throughout the Kingdom of Hungary.
Where is Lipót Baumhorn buried?
He is buried at the Kozma Street Jewish Cemetery.