Tree of Life / Holocaust Memorial Park, Budapest

Tucked just behind Budapest’s Great Synagogue, the Holocaust Memorial Park stands as a tribute to those who risked everything during World War II to protect Hungary’s Jewish population from Nazi persecution. Honored here are those recognized as “Righteous Among the Nations”—individuals who, through courage and compassion, saved lives in the darkest of times.

Among them is Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat whose tireless efforts helped thousands and whose mysterious disappearance remains one of history’s enigmas. Also remembered is Ángel Sanz Briz, a Spanish consular officer who quietly issued passports and transformed the Spanish embassy into a safe haven, saving over 5,000 lives in the process.

At the heart of the park stands the Tree of Life, a powerful sculpture shaped like a weeping willow—long a symbol of mourning in Hungarian Jewish tradition. Each of its leaves bears the name of a Holocaust victim buried nearby, a silent forest of remembrance that speaks louder than words.

The park was created during the 1990s, following Hungary’s return to democracy. The Tree of Life itself was completed in 1996, made possible by a donation from Estée Lauder, the famed cosmetics entrepreneur with Hungarian-Jewish roots.

Even from a distance, the tree catches the eye with its shimmering metal leaves. To step closer, you’ll need to pay a modest admission fee, but the experience is one worth taking time for.