Behind the Dohány Street Synagogue lies one of Budapest’s most touching memorials — the Wallenberg Memorial Park, dedicated to Raoul Wallenberg since 1991. Wallenberg was a Swedish diplomat stationed in Budapest during the Nazi occupation of Hungary, who made extraordinary efforts to save the lives of thousands of Jews. By issuing protective passports, safety documents, and letters of protection, he offered hope and shelter in a time of terror. His bravery and compassion made him one of the most admired figures of the Second World War and a universal symbol of humanity and courage.

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Tragically, Wallenberg’s fate remains a mystery. In 1945, after the Soviet Army liberated Hungary, he was arrested by Soviet authorities on suspicion of espionage because of his connections to neutral countries. Taken to Moscow, he was never seen again. Official Soviet records later claimed that Wallenberg died of a heart attack in 1947 in Lubyanka Prison, but no conclusive evidence has ever been found. His disappearance remains one of history’s great unsolved stories.

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At the heart of Wallenberg Memorial Park stands the Tree of Life, a striking sculpture made of stainless steel and shaped like a weeping willow. Designed by Hungarian artist Imre Varga, the monument has 6,000 metal leaves, each engraved with the name of a victim — a poignant reminder of the approximately 600,000 Hungarian Jews and others who perished during the Holocaust. When you touch the leaves, it feels as if you are connecting with each individual life lost. The sculpture also resembles an inverted menorah, symbolizing mourning and remembrance.

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The creation of the park and the Tree of Life was made possible through the generosity of Tony Curtis, the famous American actor whose real name was Bernard Schwartz. Born to Hungarian Jewish parents, Curtis returned to his ancestral roots in 1990 to support the restoration of the Dohány Street Synagogue and the construction of this moving memorial. His contribution helped create a space that honors not only Wallenberg but also countless others who risked their lives to save Jews in Budapest.

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Within the park, you’ll also find memorials to other Righteous Among the Nations — heroes recognized by Israel for saving Jewish lives during the Holocaust. These include Carl Lutz (Swiss Vice-Consul), Ángel Sanz Briz (Spanish Ambassador), Giorgio Perlasca (an Italian who posed as the Spanish Consul to issue protection documents), and Angelo Rotta (the Vatican’s Apostolic Nuncio in Budapest). Together, these figures embody the strength of compassion and moral courage during one of humanity’s darkest times.

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The Wallenberg Memorial Park is not only a site of remembrance but also a space of reflection and renewal. Nestled behind the Dohány Street Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter of Budapest, it invites visitors to pause, remember, and honor the heroes and victims of the past.

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If you would like to visit Wallenberg Memorial Park and learn the stories behind it, join us on our Jewish Quarter Tour.  Our guides will take you through the heart of Budapest’s Jewish heritage — from the Dohány Street Synagogue to the Budapest Ghetto Memorial — sharing powerful stories of resilience, remembrance, and hope.