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Jewish Prague and the Jewish Museum Prague

Comprising of the area between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River, Prague's Jewish Quarter (known as Josefov) was once one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe, with a rich and varied history dating back to the 10th century. All but eliminated by the Nazis, the country's post-war Communist regime did little to revive the hopes and religious rights (or indeed living standards) of those who survived, with many deciding to emigrate to the US, Western Europe or Israel.

Today, whilst only 1500 or so Orthodox Jews now live in what remains of the traditional Jewish Quarter, it has once again become a thriving - and fascinating - part of Prague. Below are listings for Josefov's major sights which, by and large, can be explored in a single day.

Ceremonial Hall (Obřadní Sín)

U Starého hřbitova 3, Praha 1, Staré Město, Metro: Staromestská/Tram: 17, 18
With a neo-Romanesque design by F. Gerstl, the former Ceremonial Hall and Mortuary of the Old Jewish Cemetery was built for the Prague Burial Society in 1906. Renovated in 1998, it today houses a permanent exhibition entitled "Jewish Customs and Traditions" displaying artefacts and exhibits on birth, death and worship, along with children's drawings from the Terezín ghetto and concentration camp. The work of the Society is also covered, as are Jewish cemeteries in Bohemia and Moravia. To see the exhibition, a combined 'Jewish Museum' entry ticket must be purchased (see below).

Jewish Museum (Židovskė Muzeum)

U Staré školy 1, Praha 1, Staré Město, Tel: +420 224 819 456, Fax: +420 224 819 458, Metro: Staromestská/Tram: 17, 18, Website: www.jewishmuseum.cz, E-mail: office@jewishmuseum.cz, Open: 1 Apr-31 Oct, 9am-6pm, 1 Nov-31 Mar, 9am-4.30pm, Closed Saturdays and on Jewish holidays
Having been taken over by the State during the Communist era, the Jewish Museum was handed back to the Jewish community in 1994. In total, the museum is made up of six historic sites (all listed on this page), giving visitors a real picture of Jewish life and culture in Prague over the centuries - including the dark years of Nazi occupation and World War II.

Jewish Town Hall (Židovská Radnice)

Maiselova 18, Praha 1, Staré Město, Metro: Staromestská/Tram: 17, 18
As the traditional centre of Prague's Jewish community, the picturesque Town Hall was originally completed in 1586, having been donated to the ghetto by Mayor Maisel (who paid for much of the district's Renaissance reconstruction). Remodelled during the 18th century, when it was given its distinctive clock tower, the building's elegant Rococo façade also features an unusual clock face - namely one adorned with Hebraic numerals (that tells the time backwards).

Klausen Synagogue (Klausová Synagóga)

U Starého hřbitova 3, Praha 1, Staré Město, Metro: Staromestská
Located by the entrance to the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Baroque Klausen Synagogue dates back to 1694, having been rebuilt after the great ghetto fire of 1689. Inside, the simple, white barrel-vaulted interior of the building plays host to an exhibition on Jewish customs and traditions, with displays of Hebraic manuscripts, artefacts and prints. Part of the Jewish Museum.

The Maisel Synagogue (Maiselova Synagóga)

Maiselova 18, Praha 1, Staré Město, Metro: Staromestská/Tram: 17, 18
Founded in 1590 by Mordecai Maisel, the original Renaissance Synagogue was yet another casualty of Prague's great ghetto fire in 1689. Rebuilt soon after, but given a neo-Gothic facelift by Prof. A Grott in 1893, it now houses to an exhibition of Jewish settlement in Bohemia and Moravia from the 10th to the 18th century. Part of the Jewish Museum.

Pinkas Synagogue (Pinkasova Synagóga)

Široká 3, Praha 1, Staré Město, Metro: Staromestská/Tram: 17, 18
So legend has it, Rabbi Pinkas founded this synagogue after a dead monkey - owned by a local goldsmith - was thrown through his window. Fortunately, as is often the case with deceased primates, it had swallowed a large quantity of gold coins, thus giving Pinkas a fair old booty for the works. Rebuilt between 1519 and 1535 by Aaron Horovský as a place of prayer for his family, it was later enlarged during the 17th century, at which time the Synagogue's impressive vaulted hall was created. Today, it serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities carried out against Czech Jews during WWII, with the building's interior walls inscribed with the names of 77, 297 victims of Nazi terror. Also included is a display of drawings by children held in Terezín ghetto, the vast majority of whom were to die at Auschwitz concentration camp. Part of the Jewish Museum.

Old Jewish Cemetery (Starý Židovský Hřbitov)

Široká 3, Praha 1, Staré Město, Metro: Staromestská/Tram: 17, 18
The cemetery, which dates from the early 15th century, is the second oldest Jewish burial site in Europe (and the most popular monument in the Quarter). Some 12,000 tombstones are located here, each crammed into a tiny space, with the oldest dating back to 1439. Indeed, because it was forbidden to enlarge the burial ground beyond the walled ghetto, the Jews were forced to bury their dead on top of each other - meaning that an estimated 100,000 bodies lie here. Among the cemetery's distinguished stones are those of Mordecai Maisel (d. 1601), Rabbi Löw Ben Bezalel (d. 1609) and David Oppenheimer (d. 1736).

Old-New Synagogue (Staronová Synagóga)

Červená 2, Praha 1, Staré Město, Metro: Staromestská/Tram: 17, 18
Considered to be the most historic site in Josefov - and the spiritual centre for Prague's Jewish Community - the synagogue, which dates from the 13th century, is one the few remaining medieval buildings in the Quarter. Still used for prayer today, the Gothic interior features an ornate barrel-vaulted vestibule, while the structure of the main hall - crowned by an impressive tympanum over the north portal - is influenced by the 12 tribes of Israel i.e. there are 12 carved vine leaves, 12 windows etc. Note: when entering the hall, male visitors are asked to cover their heads - bandanas, baseball caps etc. are okay, but a yarmulka can also be purchased with your ticket.

Robert Guttman Gallery

U Staré školy 1, Praha 1, Staré Město, Metro: Staromestská/Tram: 17, 18, Open: 10am-5pm daily (until 6pm in summer months). Closed Saturdays and on Jewish holidays
Located next to the Spanish Synagogue (see below), the gallery displays works by local artist Robert Guttman, as well as those from other Jewish artists - primarily from the last two centuries - which have contributed to various areas of Czech culture. Part of the Jewish Museum.

The Spanish Synagogue (Španelská Synagóga)

Vězeňská 1, Praha 1, Staré Město, Metro: Staromestská/Tram: 17, 18
This neo-Moorish structure was constructed in 1868, replacing the previously demolished Old Synagogue (Altschul). Vojtech Ullmann's distinctive façade is the most dramatic element of the overall design, while the domed interior is beautifully set off against stuccoed Islamic motifs and intricate stained glass work. Restored and reopened in 1998 the synagogue, which now houses an exhibition on the history of Czech Jews, is a welcome addition to the historical and cultural sites of Josefov and Prague. Part of the Jewish Museum.

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