A few blocks north of Old Town Square, away from the noise and crowds, one finds Prague’s Jewish Quarter. This serene section of Prague, bordered by the Vltava River, is home to historic synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery, and poignant memorials and monuments. Jews first settled in Prague in the 9th century which makes the city one of the oldest Jewish centers in Central Europe. The Jewish community in Prague has had moments of great prosperity throughout its long, storied history, all the while, they have also had to contend with periods of persecution and attempts at expulsion.
In 1992, UNESCO designated the Jewish Quarter a World Heritage Site.
Visiting the Jewish Quarter
My visit to Prague’s Jewish Quarter was part of the Rick Steves’ Europe Best of Prague and Budapest tour itinerary and it included stops at the Maisel Synagogue, Pinkos Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, and Spanish Synagogue. The tour of the Jewish Quarter was led by Honza Vihan, who masterfully told the history of Prague’s Jews, explained the significance of each of the synagogues, and shared the legend of the golem.
Unfortunately, on the day of the tour, it was raining so I did not have the opportunity to take pictures of the exterior of the synagogues or statues. I did manage to capture some pictures of the Old Jewish Cemetery.
This tour served as a great learning experience between Honza’s discussions and the exhibits featured at each of the synagogues. The visit to the Pinkos Synagogue was emotionally challenging as it was very heartbreaking seeing the names of thousands of Jews, many from the same family and neighborhood, who were killed in the Holocaust etched on its stone walls. I highly recommend that travelers to Prague take the time to visit some of the sites in the Jewish District, particularly the Pinkos Synagogue, the Old Jewish Cemetery, and the Spanish Synagogue.
Note that there is no dress code for visiting the synagogues but one is asked to dress respectfully. At the Pinkos Synagogue, I noticed young men were given a yarmulke/kippah to wear.
Maisel Synagogue
The Maisel Synagogue was established in 1592 and later burned down in 1689. The synagogue was rebuilt and renovated several times throughout the years with its current form dating back to the late 1800s. Inside, visitors will find the permanent exhibit, Jews in the Bohemian Lands, 10th-18th Century.
This synagogue is fully accessible.
Pinkos Synagogue
This synagogue was erected in 1535 and restored to its original form in the early 1950s. In the late 1950s, the Pinkos Synagogue was converted to a memorial to commemorate the estimated 80,000 lives lost during the Holocaust. Visitors will find two exhibits in this synagogue; the exhibit titled Children’s Drawings from the Terezín Ghetto located on the second floor and Journeys with No Return: The Deportation of Jews from the Czech Lands, 1939-1945 in an outdoor courtyard.
The synagogue’s interior is not accessible.
Old Jewish Cemetery
Prague’s Old Jewish Cemetery is one of the world’s oldest surviving Jewish burial grounds. It was founded during the first half of the 15th century with the earliest tombstone dating back to 1439. For over 300 years, Jews were buried in this cemetery and, as space ran out, graves were stacked upon each other, sometimes up to 10 layers.
The Old Jewish Cemetery is accessible; access from the exit at the Klausen Synagogue.
Spanish Synagogue
The Spanish Synagogue is considered the newest in Prague’s Jewish Quarter given it was founded in 1868. The name is derived from its Moorish interior which was inspired by Spain’s famous Alhambra. The exhibit one finds at the Spanish Synagogue is Jews in the Bohemian Lands, 19th-20th Centuries. It focuses on the reforms of Joseph II through the period after the Second World War. This exhibit also highlights the works of Jewish entrepreneurs, scientists, writers, musicians, and artists.
The Spanish Synagogue is fully accessible.
Visitors can purchase tickets online or in person at one of the synagogues or the information center. Adult tickets are CZK 500 and discounts are available for certain age groups, disability card holders, and families. Guided tours are available for individuals and families and visitors can also rent an audio tour.
Individual and family tickets are valid for 3 days so you do not need to visit all the sites on the same day.
Resources
Information on Prague’s Jewish District.
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