Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter in the heart of the Old Town, known as Josefov, is a place where tranquility meets history and spirituality meets architectural beauty. In this small area, a unique cultural heritage has survived the test of time, wars, and the city’s transformations. The narrow streets that once formed the lively center of Jewish life now hide the oldest preserved synagogue in Europe, an ancient cemetery, and places associated with Rabbi Löw and the legendary Golem.

A walk through Josefov is more than just a historical experience – it is a quiet encounter with the fates of the people who lived, believed, and created here. Stone tombstones tilted by time, Hebrew inscriptions on the walls, and an atmosphere that has remained unchanged for centuries – all this makes the Jewish Quarter one of the most intense places in all of Prague.

1.Old Jewish Cemetery – silence among tombstones and centuries

In a small space in Josefov stands the Old Jewish Cemetery – a place where thousands of tombstones are layered in silent memory. Each stone bears Hebrew inscriptions, symbols of the Kohanim, Levites, or crowns. The cemetery served for more than 300 years and today around 100,000 people are buried here, although more than 12,000 gravestones have been preserved.

Among them is the gravestone of Rabbi Jehuda Löw ben Beccalel, associated with the legend of the Golem. The silence among the stones will transport you to a world where the personal stories of the Jewish community remain alive, even though they are long gone.

Address: Široká 3, 110 00 Prague 1

Phone: +420 222 749 211
Website: jewishmuseum.cz

2.The Old-New Synagogue – a 300-year-old guardian of the Jewish faith

The Old-New Synagogue, founded in the 13th century, is one of the oldest synagogues still in use in Europe. Its Gothic interior, simple and solid, still serves as a place of worship and preserves the atmosphere of centuries past. According to tradition, the remains of the clay from which the Golem was created are hidden beneath it.

Thanks to its preservation, it simply acts as a gateway to the past, where stone walls tell stories of faith and the continuity of the Jewish community, even though history has changed so much.

Address: Červená 2, 110 00 Prague 1

Phone: +420 222 749 211
Website: jewishmuseum.cz

3.Maisel Synagogue – Renaissance gold and Jewish history

The Maisel Synagogue was built at the end of the 16th century as an expression of Joseph Maisel’s wealth. Today, it houses an exhibition on Jews in the Czech lands, filled with documents, objects, and infographics. The interior offers a harmony of architecture and stories that provide a deeper insight into the Jewish roots in Central Europe.

Walking through it is like leafing through a chronicle: Renaissance details, models of rituals, and masterpieces of craftsmanship recall the famous and difficult times of history.

Address: Maiselova 10, 110 00 Prague 1

Phone: +420 222 749 211
Website: jewishmuseum.cz

4.Pinkas Synagogue – walls with a cry of memory

The 1940s transformed the Pinkas Synagogue into a Holocaust memorial. The names of approximately 80,000 victims from Bohemia and Moravia are handwritten on the architecturally austere walls. The atmosphere is quiet but powerful – as if the walls speak directly to everyone who passes by.

In the basement, you will find children’s drawings from Terezín – raw and moving. Visiting here means experiencing a quieter form of history that hurts but teaches.

Address: Široká 3, 110 00 Prague 1

Phone: +420 222 749 211
Website: jewishmuseum.cz

5.Spanish Synagogue – an oriental wonder among Baroque buildings

The Spanish Synagogue, opened in 1868, will enchant you with its Moorish motifs, arabesques, and rich gilded ornaments. It follows the style of the Andalusian Renaissance and symbolizes an era of emancipation and hope. The premises host classical music concerts and an exhibition on Jews in the 18th–20th centuries.

This is where history and aesthetics meet – silence blends with music, the present with the past.

Address: Dušní 12, 110 00 Prague

Phone: +420 222 749 211
Website: jewishmuseum.cz