The Hungarian Jewish Museum and Archives and MOME TechLab presents:
Salgotarjani Way Jewish Cemetery
Hidden behind Budapest’s largest national graveyard, the Kerepesi Cemetery, lies the long forgotten Jewish cemetery of the Belle Epoque, the Salgotarjani Way Jewish Cemetery. Members of the industrial elite, notable figures of the Jewish community, artists were buried here. However it is not the only aspect why the cemetery – on the verge of decay – is worth a visit. The Salgotarjani Way Jewish Cemetery showcases many of the finest examples of the Hungarian cemetery architecture: opulent mausoleums, several by Bela Lajta and others who could be credited for Budapest’s notable Art Nouveau buildings.
MOME TechLab designed two applications which bring the forgotten cemetery closer to the public. Zoner, a GPS-based mobile app for Android devices to be used on spot, and Wonder Around that offers a virtual tour in the cemetery, highlighting the most important tombs and artworks, and also introducing the cultural background of the era.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The cemetery is the oldest Jewish cemetery in Budapest which is still intact. The first – more or less traditional style – graves had been transported from a former Jewish graveyard and are dated to the 18th and 19th century. The highlight of the site is, however, the complex of tombs built in the early 20th century. At that time Budapest had a rich and vibrant cultural life wherein the Jewish banking and industrial elite played a significant role. These wealthy families employed the era’s best architects, such as Bela Lajta to build their monumental tombs, using only the best and most noble materials and unique designs.
Cast iron decorations, carved surfaces, inscriptions, mosaics and massive burial monuments made of swedish black granite, red and white marble either embellished with symbolic ornamentalism or in classic puritan style tell us about factory-owners, scientists and rabbis, architects and artists.
No new grave stones had been added or burial had taken place since the ‘50s and the neglected cemetery became densely overgrown. This gives the cemetery a unique atmosphere and the picturesque landscape reframes our thoughts on the impermanence of life as human beings.
Contact: techlab@mome.hu