The Jewish Quarter is a city within a city, a unique historical landmark surrounded by the buildings of the Old City. This place is located in the Josefov district, near the Vlatva river.
The quarter appeared on the site of the first Jewish houses and for a long time lived and developed separately from the rest of Prague. Today it is a unique open-air museum complex, consisting of several synagogues (Staronovaya, Vysokaya, Klausova, Pinkasova, Maizelova), a cemetery and a town hall, remaining after the clearing of slums at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries.
The State Jewish Museum operates on the territory of the complex, the exhibition of which is located in all historical buildings of the Jewish Quarter. More details can be found on the museum website.
History of the Jewish Quarter
The Jewish quarter appeared in the city in the 11th century. If now Josefov is located in the very center of the city, then at that time it was a distant outskirts. Only there could Jews settle, in the Židovskéměsto quarter. To further protect themselves from the Jewish people, a high stone wall was erected around their settlement. Inside there was its own school, its own synagogues and even a separate cemetery.
In the Jewish ghetto they lived and worked, studied and died, without mixing with the rest of the population of Prague and often without even knowing the language of the people around them. And there were quite a few such neighborhoods in which Jews lived as outcasts in large cities throughout the country.
But time passed. Unnoticed by everyone, one or another third Jew began to work with the Czechs, conduct partnerships, and study the Czech language. This is how assimilation began - a normal phenomenon for society.
Over time, Jews began to be perceived as equal citizens, they were allowed to participate in citywide affairs, and often could not do without their entrepreneurial talent.
Joseph II, the emperor after whom the Jewish quarter is now named, made an important decision: to give Jews the same rights as Christian citizens. The city began to expand and rebuild due to the territory of the Jewish quarter, and the Jews were given the opportunity to build their own housing in any other place in Prague.
By the beginning of the 20th century, only the poorest and most ideological Jews remained to live here - everyone else mixed with the local population.
The Third Reich did not cause great destruction in the quarter, deciding to leave it as a memory of the inferior race that lived here. Synagogues and monuments with a history of a thousand years have survived to this day.
What to see
You can name at least 14 attractions that are definitely worth seeing in the Jewish Quarter. Each of them is shrouded in its own history and still arouses interest among tourists.
Among the attractions of the quarter that have survived to this day are the following:
- Synagogues;
- Old Jewish Cemetery, one of the oldest in Europe;
- Jewish Museum;
- Jewish Town Hall;
- Monument to Franz Kafka.
Several synagogues have survived here and each is interesting in its own way.
Old New is considered the oldest in Europe. It was the main one in the ghetto and still functions as a religious institution.
Klausova was considered second in importance here. Now there is an exhibition introducing visitors to the life of the Jews.
The Spanish one is called the most beautiful. It is made in the Arab-Moorish style.
There is a museum where you can learn absolutely everything about the life of the Jewish quarter and Jews in Prague. It is based on several private collections of famous personalities: A. Stein and G. Liben. Židovské muzeum v Praze was founded about 100 years ago. It is located at: U staré školy 141/1, Prague 1.
Monuments, permanent exhibitions and the Robert Guttman Gallery are open every day except Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Opening hours during the main season vary with summer time, check for exact opening times.
The museum also includes 4 synagogues (one of which is open and services are held there) and a Jewish cemetery.
Golem of the Jewish Quarter
Even if you have never been to Prague, you have probably heard about the mysterious golem that stands in the Jewish Quarter. We can talk a lot about how he ended up here, but tourists prefer to believe in a fascinating legend. It talks about how Rabbi Lev wanted to protect the Jews from the attacks of Christians, and created a statue of a huge golem, which was supposed to take the unfortunate Jews under its wing. The golem took to the streets of the city to defend his people, subjugating the Christian quarter, completely crushing it into pieces.
The emperor heard about this and asked the rabbi to pacify his defender and destroy him. The rabbi did not destroy the golem, but hid it in the attic. They say that in the attic of the Old New Synagogue there still lies a clay warrior, waiting for her people to need her.
Jewish Quarter: how to get there
The Jewish Quarter in Prague is located in the very center, in the Old Town. It is not always easy to find a good parking place in the historical center of Prague. Therefore, we recommend leaving your car outside the city center and arriving at the museum by public transport or on foot. The nearest paid parking lot is located below Čechův most (bridge) on the Edvarda Beneše embankment (embankment) .
You can get to the block by any means of transport:
- by bus 194 to the Pařížská stop;
- by metro to Staroměstská station (green line A);
- by tram Ost. Právnická fakulta;
- by taxi Uber;
If you come to Prague by train and are at the railway station, you can walk to the Jewish Quarter - it will take less than half an hour. Along the way you will see many equally interesting sights: the Jerusalem Synagogue, the Alphonse Mucha Museum, the Estates Theater and even the Parisian Astronomical Clock.
Scheme of how to get to the Jewish Quarter from Prague Main Station:
Czech Republic. Prague. Jewish Quarter
One of the most famous quarters in the city is the Jewish Quarter of Josefov, surrounded on all sides by the buildings of the Old City.
In the 10th century The first Jewish settlements began to appear on Mala Strana, as well as under. Now there is nothing left of them; starting from the first half of the 12th century, Jews began to populate the Old City. Four centuries later, the small settlement turned into a real Jewish quarter, where there were independent governing bodies, and all life in everyday life, politically and religiously was strikingly different from the life of the rest of the urban population.
It is quite natural that throughout the long history of Prague, the Jewish ghetto repeatedly suffered pogroms and evictions. In 1848, the civil and political rights of Jews were finally recognized in the Czech Republic. Their own urban settlement became one of the quarters of Prague, which was named after Joseph II, the Austrian emperor who significantly improved the life of Prague Jews with his reforms. The laws of Joseph II protected them from oppression of Christians and provided them with more rights.
Today, not much remains of the old Jewish quarter: 6 synagogues, the Jewish Town Hall and the Old Jewish Cemetery. They form a kind of open-air museum. All other old buildings were dismantled at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when large-scale slum clearance work was carried out. You can visit the sites from April 1 to October 31 (9:00 – 18:00); November 1 – March 31 (9:00 – 16:30) – daily (Saturday – closed).
The most valuable landmark of Josefov is the oldest Prague building in the early Gothic style (dating to the 13th century).
There is a hiding place in the park, and in the synagogue itself there is a hiding place where Torahs of sacred significance are kept - scrolls with the texts of 5 books written by Moses in Hebrew.
It was built thanks to the financial support of the head of the Jewish City and benefactor - Mordechai Maisel - at the end of the 16th century. The reconstruction of the facade took place in the 19th century. On the second floor, in the large Renaissance hall, there is an exhibition of popular textiles belonging to the State Jewish Museum.
It was also built at Maisel's expense in the 16th century. Today it is a Rococo building (after reconstruction in 1763) with a tower on which hangs a large clock with the Hebrew alphabet on the dial.
Erected in 1694 (style - Baroque). An exhibition of rare handwritten books in Hebrew is located in its main hall.
On Tue. half of the 15th century originally was the home chapel of the Gorzhovsky-Horowitz family. After World War II, a memorial was organized here to the 77,297 Czech and Moravian Jews who died in concentration camps.
Another synagogue built with the funding of elder Mordechai Meisel -. Before the reconstruction of 1905, its style can be defined as Renaissance, after – neo-Gothic. The interior contains a unique collection of silver items collected from all Czech synagogues.
Speaking about the Josefov quarter, one cannot fail to mention one of the world's most remarkable Jewish cemeteries. The age of the oldest burial is 574. Here you can also find more ancient tombstones in the Gothic style, which were moved when the cemetery was opened from the older one in the New Town. The last grave in the Old Jewish Cemetery was dug in 1787. The bizarre jumble of 12,000 headstones, old graves and dirt arose here as old burials were buried to make room for new ones. Later tombstones are made of white or pink marble, whereas originally they were made of plain sandstone. It is worth noting that some important historical and outstanding figures are buried in this cemetery, including Yehuda ben Betzalel (nicknamed “The Lion”), who died in 1609, but managed to create the Golem - an artificial man. The graves of famous people can be found thanks to plaques with their names and a brief summary of their lives and achievements.
Every year thousands of representatives of the Jewish nation visit the Jewish Quarter in Prague. The fact is that the Jewish Quarter (Židovské Město), or “Josefov”, is one of the oldest and largest centers of Jewish culture in Central Europe. Jews have lived here since the Middle Ages, and despite brutal pogroms and numerous attempts at expulsion and extermination, the Prague Jewish community managed to preserve the most valuable monuments of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and modern architecture in the Jewish Quarter.
Pinkas Synagogue – austere and elegant
Pinkasova synagogue (Pinkasova synagoga) is the second of the two oldest synagogues in the Jewish Quarter (No. 2 on). It was built at the beginning of the 16th century and was built over several decades, and rebuilt over time, so its architectural style is difficult to clearly define. Here Baroque mixed with Renaissance architecture, and this mixture created a very elegant synagogue.
Now the Pinkas Synagogue is a museum, the building is used as an exhibition hall for exhibits, one way or another related to the history of the Jewish people. One of the most interesting and tragic exhibits of this museum are the walls - they bear the names of almost 80 thousand Czech Jews who died from Nazi repressions during the Second World War in concentration camps. Also in the Pinkas Synagogue there is a permanent exhibition of drawings by Jewish children from the Terezin concentration camp.
Another equally significant attraction of the Jewish Quarter of Prague is the Old Jewish Cemetery (Starý židovský hřbitov) (No. 3 on). This is one of the best preserved Jewish cemeteries in the world. It was probably founded in the first half of the 15th century, the oldest tombstone dates from 1439, and the last burial took place here at the end of the 18th century.
Since the Jews did not have the opportunity to increase the territory of the cemetery, they had to bury their compatriots one above the other, layer by layer increasing the number of graves in the cemetery. Over the three centuries of existence in the old Jewish cemetery, according to researchers, about 100 thousand Jews were buried in 12 layers. Several thousand tombstones dating back to different historical periods have been preserved here. The tombstones were made of sandstone, pink or white marble, and names and professions can still be read on them.
Prominent personalities are also buried in the Old Cemetery: David Hans (Jewish astronomer), Yosef Delmedigo (astronomer, writer). The most famous Jew buried here is Rabbi Loew, a social authority, thinker and scholar, also known as Magaral. It is believed that it was he who created the Prague Golem, about which there are so many legends.
Klaus Synagogue – tall and majestic
Klausová synagoga is one of the oldest in the Jewish Quarter (No. 4 on). Back in the 16th century, on the site of the modern building there were three small buildings with ritual functions, which were destroyed by fire at the end of the 17th century. After this event, it was decided to build a new synagogue. This building differs from other temples in that it consists of only one floor, but it cannot be called “short”: there is a lot of free space inside, and the high vaults give the impression of infinity and majesty.
Currently, no services are held in the Klaus Synagogue; the premises are used as a museum. Here you can visit the exhibition “Jewish Holidays, Traditions and Customs” and view other exhibits directly related to the history of the Jewish nation.
Maisel Synagogue – grandiose and graceful
The Maisel Synagogue (No. 5 on) was built at the very end of the 16th century at the expense of the wealthy Jew Mordechai Meisel, a local philanthropist. The building turned out to be grandiose: elegant on the outside and extremely beautiful on the inside. However, during a fire in the Jewish Quarter at the end of the 17th century, the Maisel Synagogue burned to the ground. During reconstruction and restoration, it decreased in size and acquired its modern, sophisticated neo-Gothic appearance.
The religious building functioned before the Nazis came to power; after the end of the war, the exhibition “The Ancient History of the Jews in the Czech Republic and Moravia” of the Prague Jewish Museum was located here. The synagogue also has specially equipped spaces for exhibitions and storage rooms for non-exhibited exhibits. The Maisel Synagogue houses more than 150 thousand exhibits telling about the hard life of Czech Jews: books, household items, ritual and ceremonial utensils, and talented works of local artists and sculptors are exhibited in the museum’s halls.
Spanish synagogue - young and luxurious
The Spanish synagogue (Španělská synagoga) was built later than all other religious buildings in the Jewish Quarter (No. 6 on), namely in the second half of the 19th century, construction took 25 years. But “long-term construction” is not always a bad thing, the synagogue only benefited from this, it became the most beautiful in the city. The construction used an elegant Moorish style, so the synagogue looks more like a mosque than a Jewish church.
Now the Spanish synagogue is operational, services and masses are held there. In addition, here you can visit an exhibition telling about the history of the Jewish people, as well as attend sacred music concerts that regularly take place here, and you can even have a traditional Jewish wedding.
Another attraction of the quarter is the Jewish Town Hall (Židovská radnice, No. 7 on) - a place that served as the center of social and cultural life of the Prague Jewish community. The town hall was built at the beginning of the 17th century, and the building received its modern appearance only in the 20th century. The most notable thing about this building is a small tower topped with a six-pointed Star of David. On the tower there is a curious clock with Hebrew numbers and hands going in the opposite direction, because Hebrew is written not from left to right, but vice versa.
The Town Hall has retained its original appearance and survived the devastating Second World War, and now it houses public and cultural organizations, national and political associations and movements. It is impossible to explore this landmark of the Jewish Quarter from the inside; it is closed to the public.
The Jewish Quarter in Prague is a museum that tells about the difficult and multifaceted life of the Czech Jewish community and one of the most visited museums in the Czech Republic, the uniqueness of which is that on its territory there are collected exhibits telling about the cultural heritage of the Jewish people.
And, in conclusion, it is impossible not to mention the most unusual attraction of the Jewish Quarter in Prague - the monument (No. 8 on). It opened in 2003. The writer sits on the shoulders of a suit that is completely empty and going somewhere. This monument, created by the sculptor Yaroslav Ron, is very symbolic - it was placed on the border, of course no longer existing, of the Jewish Quarter and the Christian world, and this border runs between the legs of the “suit”.
The first impression of the composition is absurdity and rejection. But if we remember Kafka himself and his life in Prague, then everything falls into place: an eccentric, absurd writer, lost in his hometown, never finding a guideline other than his very original ideas. Despite the strangeness of the composition, the monument fits perfectly into the appearance of the city and reflects the versatility of Prague.
You can enter the Jewish Quarter unnoticed while exploring the center of Prague. The block is located next to Old Town Square. The Stars of David on the houses will tell you where you are. The main attractions here are the synagogues, which have a rich history, the town hall, the old Jewish cemetery and the Kafka monument.
A nice bonus only for our readers - a discount coupon when paying for tours on the website until August 31:
- AF500guruturizma - promotional code for 500 rubles for tours from 40,000 rubles
- AFTA2000Guru - promotional code for 2,000 rubles. for tours to Thailand from 100,000 rubles.
And you will find many more profitable offers from all tour operators on the website. Compare, choose and book tours at the best prices!
The Jews settled in these places when there was no talk of Prague yet. Then the peaceful and timid people were driven out by the warlike Celts. According to legend, Princess Libushe in the 8th century. made a prophecy: when people oppressed by everyone, who believe in the Creator, come to the local river, the monarch should give them shelter. By this good deed he will call upon his country God's mercy. The prophecy came true - in the 9th century. Jews appeared on the banks of the Vltava. They were given permission to build their houses on the left bank. But despite the mercy of the kings, life for the Jews was not easy. Craftsmen and merchants were subject to heavy taxes, and Jewish pogroms occurred from time to time.
Since the 13th century. Jews lived in a separate quarter, surrounded by a wall, and of course, no one had the right to settle at their choice anywhere else in Prague. Only in the middle of the 19th century. King Joseph II allowed Jews to live anywhere in the city. Since then, the quarter has another name: “Josefov”. Surprisingly, during World War II, the Jewish Quarter was not wiped off the face of the earth by the Nazis. On the contrary, things related to Jewish culture were brought here. The fact is that it was here that Hitler wanted to make a museum of a nation that had disappeared from the map of Europe. Today, almost all attractions, except the oldest synagogue, can be seen by purchasing a single Jewish Museum ticket.
Sights of the Jewish Quarter
Tourists curiously examine the ancient houses of the Jewish Quarter. And yet, the most interesting are the synagogues, of which there are 6. The most ancient is the Old New Synagogue, built back in the 13th century, that is, it is the oldest in Europe. It is made in the Gothic style, its interior decoration is not just modest, but ascetic. Here the Jews in former times took refuge from persecution, but today their main spiritual center is concentrated here. According to legend, somewhere inside there is a secret room without an entrance, from where the Golem, the protector of the Jews, appears. Once upon a time he was sculpted from clay by Rabbi Loew, and God breathed life into him.
The Pinkas Synagogue was built later, in the 16th century, and its architecture harmoniously combined Baroque features with Renaissance features. Today there is a museum here. The museum is also located in the Klaus Synagogue, dating back to the 17th century. It will be interesting for tourists to visit the Maisel Synagogue, whose construction was completed in the last years of the 16th century. Here they will tell you about Maisel, who, thanks to his work, from a poor Jew became one of the richest people in Europe, lending money to the royal court. At the same time, Meisel was engaged in extensive charitable activities and did a lot for his people.
Another synagogue, called the High Synagogue, is combined with the town hall. And the greatest impression on the guests of the quarter is made by the Spanish Synagogue, richly decorated inside and reminiscent of a luxurious palace. It is the youngest among other religious buildings.
Without a doubt, tourists will also be amazed by the old Jewish cemetery. The Jews were forbidden to bury their dead anywhere other than this place. Therefore, the dead were literally laid on top of each other - in 12 layers. According to the most conservative estimates, at least 100 thousand people are buried here. Tombstones covered with moss stand close together. The very appearance of this cemetery speaks of the oppression to which the Jewish people have been subjected for centuries. The town hall was built in the 16th century, when Jews already made up a third of the population of the Czech capital. Of course, the building survived fires and destruction, but today it has been completely restored. On the town hall you can see the clock: some have Roman numerals, others have Hebrew letters. The arrows of the latter go in the opposite direction. Since Israelis take notes from right to left. The monument to Franz Kafka, opened at the beginning of the 20th century, is unusual. The great writer is carried on the shoulders of a man without a head. Tourists love to take pictures near this monument.
How to get there on your own
To get to the Jewish Quarter, you can take trams No. 17, 18. Or take the Green metro line and get off at Staromestska station.
“The humble Vltava is quiet and calm; she has seen many destinies.” Walking along the beautiful embankment, admiring the snow-white swans, you won’t even notice how you move into an area that, at first glance, differs little from the rest. It seems that the narrow streets and houses are the same, but if you look a little closer, you will see on them the stars of David, an unusual, strange clock, where on the ancient dial, instead of numbers, Hebrew letters are located opposite the hands.
The unusual sight creates the impression of turning back time, opening pages of the history of the former Jewish ghetto, surrounded by an aura of mysticism, myths, and which has become a legend. Josefov- the only place in Europe that is a living witness to the centuries-old culture of an ancient nation.
The appearance of Jews in Prague
The Jews settled here long before the emergence of the Czech capital, but were expelled by the Celts. In 730, Princess Libushe predicted that an oppressed people would appear on the banks of the Vltava, believing in a single Creator. The king needs to treat him mercifully, for he will bring the mercy of God to the country.
A century later, indeed, a community of Jews appeared in the Czech Republic, fleeing from Kievan Rus. The ruler, remembering the prophecy, took them under protection, providing the left bank side for development. The people lived separately, calmly, building a city, worked hard, engaged in trade, grew rich, not looking at the medieval passions that were playing out. The gossip spread about him caused bloody clashes. Persecuted by infidels, the unfortunates tried to hide from reprisals in a synagogue built under the Celts, which was considered the oldest in Europe. They say that when the first fire broke out, they saw two pigeons on the spire, which disappeared when the fire was extinguished. Since then, it has become the spiritual center of the local people.
The most famous person in the community was once known as Mordechai Maisel, who did a lot for his fellow believers. Born into a poor family, he was lucky enough to become rich; he donated a lot to charity, becoming the personal banker of Emperor Rudolf. He had at his disposal all the property of the monarch. With Meisel's money they built a bathhouse, a home for orphans, paved the streets, erected a town hall, and two synagogues, naming one after him. Rumor has it that the ruler was in love with his beautiful wife, who died early.
They tell a lot about the wise descendant of King David, the wise Yehuda Bezalel, who lived here and was appointed by Rudolf II to the position of chief rabbi. According to the legend of Rabbi Lev, fate intended to protect his people from slander and undeserved suspicions of Christians. For this purpose, he created an artificial man, Golem, from clay, breathing life into him.
One day, when his compatriots were again threatened with expulsion, the sage resolutely headed towards the Charles Bridge, wanting to meet the ruler passing there. He stopped and waited for the approaching royal carriage. The angry crowd threw cobblestones and dirt at him, but all this turned into flowers in flight. Struck by the sight he saw, the monarch stopped, deciding to listen to Bezalel. On the same day, the ruler issued a decree prohibiting violence against Jews. From now on, everyone was responsible for themselves, appearing before the judges.
In the 13th century. the community was relocated to a specially designated city area surrounded by a wall. Thus the ghetto was born. Those who settled it did not have the same rights as the Prague residents until 1848. Thanks to Joseph II, after whom the quarter was named, the Jews, according to the adopted constitution, received equal rights with the rest of Prague residents: they could move to other areas, which many did.
Oddly enough, thanks to Hitler, the Josefov quarter managed to survive to this day. The Fuhrer left it, dreaming of creating an exotic museum of the disappeared nation there. Religious objects and valuable documents from all over the country were brought there as exhibits. Today Josefov is a unique monument of Jewish culture, which has no equal in Europe.
Do you want to get acquainted with a fantastic corner of Prague, where every pebble breathes history, ancient legends, the air is saturated with magic, and ghosts walk the streets, surprising and sometimes frightening passers-by? Then start your tour with an old Gothic-style building that attracts many tourists.
Old New Synagogue
For a long time they could not decide on the place to build it, but an accident helped: children playing on the hill picked up several bricks, apparently from the foundation. They reminded the elders of a forgotten legend that said that angels brought stones here from the destroyed temple in Jerusalem. This was confirmed by Jerusalem scientists in the country, advising them to lay the foundation of a similar house of God here. According to legend, the vault was supposed to rest on 2 columns, with 9 steps going down. Then wars, fires, floods will not be terrible, and it will stand for centuries, pleasing the eye. This may not be true, but the shrine, built in 1270, still functions today, giving peace of mind and tranquility to believers. At first they gave it the name “New”, after the buildings that appeared in a later period, they added the clarification - old.
The steps leading down mean humility before the Almighty, because the scripture says: “From the depths I cry to you, Lord.” There are stone benches along the wall. Above the entrance in front of the main nave there are 4 twisted vines depicted - the personification of the rivers flowing in the biblical paradise. On the right side, those entering see an inscription on the wall that reads: “Fear God, keep his commandments, this is everything for man.” Below is a clock showing prayer times.
The interior space consists of two naves. The vault is supported by two octagonal columns. Between them is the bimah, from which Torah scrolls are read. The vaulted ceilings are reminiscent of Christian churches. Daylight pours in from 12 narrow lancet windows. The lighting is enhanced by hanging bronze chandeliers. At a height of 5 steps there is the Ark, in front of it there is a pulpit from which the service is conducted.
It is rumored that the remains of the Golem are preserved in the attic of the synagogue. They are still valid today, but access is closed. Many people believe in the existence of an immortal being. The story is told of a beardless man appearing, walking down the street, and disappearing in the sight of an astonished crowd. He allegedly lives in a room that has no entrance. Adventure lovers found a closet and tried to penetrate through the roof, however, the rope broke every time and the daredevils died.
Nearby, in a beautiful green park, there is a statue of Moses, cast from bronze in the Art Nouveau style by the sculptor Bilek. It was installed in 1937. A kneeling man writes the word “Adam” on the scroll, symbolizing the people for whom he was looking for the Promised Land. During the Nazi occupation of Prague, the statue was melted down, but it was restored using a miraculously preserved plaster model, and in 1947 it again took its original place.
Not far from the sculpture there is a family prayer building, built by the famous and revered Meisel. When he turned 62, having acquired a rather impressive plot of land, he decided to carry out what he had long planned - to get closer to God.
Maisel Synagogue
The construction was carried out in 1590 by the famous architect Jude Koref. It took two years to implement the plan. The opening was timed to coincide with the celebration of Simchat Torah. The large capacity and luxurious interior decoration are amazing. After 100 years, a fire took away the founder’s dream built in stone, leaving only the name of the customer as a reminder.
Initially, the architecture, in keeping with the traditions of the Renaissance, assumed a building of three naves, which were restored, but the overall dimensions were halved. Paired columns arranged in rows support the women's section. The mekhitsa, which is a balcony, remained unchanged. The restoration took place in the Baroque style, popular for that time, diluted with Neo-Gothic. The pointed outlines of the building, complemented by fancy turrets at the corners, rush into the skies. A Star of David was installed on the domed roof of the completed lobby. The interior has also changed. The gilded vault gave the space airiness and weightlessness, making the atmosphere festive.
During the bloody war, the Germans turned the chapel into a warehouse, where they collected furniture, religious objects, and household utensils from all over the country for a future inhumane exhibition. The criminal plans were not destined to come true; the collected surviving items formed the basis of exhibits in the ethnographic department of the museum. The collection contains many textile items, silver dishes, and a large library covering the history of life of the local population. The original wine jug, decorated with carvings and made in the shape of a life-size boot, stops and delights. The flag attracts attention - a gift from Ferdinand II to the diaspora for assistance provided in the fight of the Czechs with the Swedes. Embroidered on it is the most beautiful saying: “Hear, O Israel! When the heart cries, only God hears...”
It is worth seeing the amazing Temple of God, located in the very heart of the quarter, which received its name thanks to the Spanish Jews who fled in Prague from the Inquisition that was persecuting them, who built here in the 12th century. a very modest building for communication with the Almighty.
Spanish Church
Extraordinarily beautiful, square in shape, the youngest shrine in oriental exotic design rather resembles a mosque. The grandeur is emphasized by the crowning central dome. The exquisite interior decoration amazes with ornaments made in floral and geometric motifs inherent in Islam. Carved figures decorate doors and railings. There are magnificent frescoes on the walls. The stucco molding, the mosaic floor, the shine of the gilding are delightful. Stained glass windows let in the refracted rays of the sun, and the “Ark of the Torah” and the stained glass window in the shape of a six-pointed star are mesmerizing on the eastern side. There are rows of benches for parishioners. In the pleasant coolness and amazing acoustics, organ music sounds solemnly, penetrating into the soul.
Repeatedly the house burned, was destroyed, like the Phoenix bird, rose, was resurrected, becoming more beautiful with the help of various additions. In 1935, the premises were expanded on the initiative of the architect Karel Pecanek. After the fascist occupation, the temple was abandoned for a long period; they wanted to demolish it; only thanks to the workers of the Institute for the Protection of Monuments, destruction was avoided. After reconstruction, mass is held here on Fridays. An exhibition has been organized introducing the history of the nation, with a collection of books by Jewish writers, among them the works of Franz Kafka, to whom a monument was erected nearby. There is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the sound of classical works and conduct a wedding ceremony.
Amazing sculpture of the genius of the pen
The sculptural composition, installed in 2003, attracts with its originality, making you think. On the disembodied figure of an empty suit walking down the street, buried ankle-deep in the base of the pedestal, sits the German-speaking Jewish writer Kafka. At first glance, what is visible seems absurd, defying any logic. What did Yaroslav Ron, who sculpted the sculpture, want to say? Perhaps he wanted to show a person who managed to rise above himself or to convince him that the suit is just an outer shell, the main thing is not in it? Only the sculptor, who provided the topic for reflection, knew about this. They installed Ron’s extraordinary brainchild in the place where the gate leading to the ghetto used to stand. Is it a coincidence or a hint that all people are equal on Czech soil?
Shiroka Street will lead to a unique monument to the victims of Nazism. It’s impossible to miss, to miss, thousands rush here to pay tribute to those who died in the bloody meat grinder of war. To bow to the girls who never gave birth, to remember the young men who lost their brides, to bring a handful of sweets to the children who did not have enough of them.
Pinkas Synagogue
According to legend, its founder was a beggar. But fate sometimes makes unexpected, unpredictable turns, presenting wealth in a rather strange way, as happened with Pinkas. One day, as a joke, a dead monkey was thrown into his open window, its stomach stuffed with gold. God's gift? Perhaps, but by no means a miracle. The animal belonged to a wealthy tycoon who loved to taste gold coins. The monkey, simply mimicking, imitating, swallowed them. Having filled her stomach, the four-legged minx died. The servants wanted to play a joke on the poor man who was visiting their master. Could they have imagined that along with the corpse they were throwing in funds for the construction of the temple?
In 1535, a Jew who suddenly became rich used this money to build a small, neat chapel for his family, which later turned into a room for ritual services. Now it fulfills its main purpose, becoming a memorial to compatriots who suffered in the Holocaust, belonging to the National Museum. This is an eternal reminder to the living not to allow such madness on the planet.
On the walls serving as a memorial plaque, the names of 77,297 Czech Jews are immortalized, 15,000 are children of different ages, brutally tortured, killed in the dungeons of concentration camps. But that is not all. Here are exhibited paintings and drawings of those who were not allowed by the Nazis to enjoy the world of childhood, grow up, and realize their cherished dreams. They remained forever at a young age - child prisoners of the Terezin concentration camp.
The exhibition will introduce you to the women's gallery, dating back to the 17th century, an ancient bathtub, previously used for ablution rituals. On major holidays, services take place here.
The exciting journey continues; new, no less impressive places await you ahead. Dense paths overgrown with grass, sadly bowed trees, like nuns mourning someone. In the rustling of leaves, the indistinct whispers of thousands buried here can be heard.
Klaus Chapel, Old Jewish Cemetery
A fire that broke out in 1689 burned down the synagogue located next to the Garden of the Dead. Instead, on the initiative of Solomon Khalish Cohen, they decided to build another, small one, hence its name. The word "claustrum", translated from Latin, means small. The inscription in Hebrew attracts attention; in Russian it reads: “This is the gateway to the Lord, through which the just pass.”
Along the perimeter there used to be seats intended for parishioners, in the center there was a square bimah. The upper gallery is reserved for women. It's cool and cozy inside: spacious stained glass windows and wonderful stucco moldings add a special charm.
The main nave introduces clothing and paintings that help to better understand the nation's holidays, prayers, and the origins of Judaism. The female half allows you to see episodes of the everyday everyday life of a mother and wife: caring for family members, housekeeping. The birth ceremony, the tradition of circumcision, a wedding with the customs inherent in the people, and the process of divorce are shown.
There is an old cemetery here, which looks a little unusual and creepy. A tiny piece of land contains more than 100 thousand burials, 12 thousand tombstones, pressed closely together. There were much more dead than there were free plots of land, so people were buried on top of each other in several layers.
An intertwined labyrinth of different destinies, from which aged stones remain, evoking sad thoughts. Many have tilted from old age, time has erased names and memories. From the preserved gravestone symbols, as if from a book, one can recognize the occupation of the deceased, long forgotten.
They say animals used to be buried here. One day, someone planted a dead dog in order to desecrate the shrine. The wise Leo did not allow the corpse to be thrown away, saying that any dead body that ends up in a cemetery must be buried, the dog was buried. Is it true? Nobody knows, even the truth has become overgrown with grass.
Rabbi Lev's grave is located here. Thousands of pilgrims visit it; this place is no less crowded than the metro during rush hours. There are rumors that even now the sage, sitting in his grave, reads ancient manuscripts. This will happen until his last great-grandson appears, placing a rose flower on the grave, and says: “Big Rabbi, the issue is resolved,” - then only, sighing, he turns to the Creator with a request to call him to himself, the body will immediately become ashes. People leave him notes asking him to fulfill his wish. They say he never refuses anyone.
There is a statue of the great mystical person on Marian Square. The lion is depicted with his little granddaughter looking out from under the skirt of his tunic. Oddly enough, it was the little girl who gave him a beautiful rose, in a drop of dew of which his death awaited him.
A tourist contemplating gravestones for a moment merges with the spirituality hidden behind them. Alive, standing here, he becomes its material embodiment. Every ticket purchased here is nothing more than indisputable proof of the greatest value of the vanished world of Jewish Prague. This is true, but it's time to move on.
High Synagogue
Erected in 1568, the unusual building in the Gothic style does not stand out in height. Then where does the name come from? The explanation is simple: it is combined with the town hall. The prayer hall is located on the second floor, accessible only through the meeting room located below. The creator of the project is Pankraty Roder. The construction was financed by Mordechai Maisel, who gave her a piece of the sacred Torah, preserved for centuries. Initially, elders decided people’s destinies here.
The facade was given expressiveness by plastic and elaborate ornaments. The skyward vaults ended in an eight-pointed star, with burma towers surrounded by benches at the bottom. Three spacious windows on the north side let in daylight. Numerous reliefs, drawings, friezes emphasized the rich appearance of the prayer hall. The most striking decoration is two sparkling gilded angel wings on a large patterned shield.
The shrine experienced destruction more than once; a fire caused significant damage in 1689. Architect Pavel Bayer had to raise it almost from the ashes; unfortunately, it was not possible to restore it completely. On the south side, a gallery for women was completed, openwork wooden bars were installed on the windows, the façade became simpler, and a separate entrance to the chapel was made. Its appearance has changed significantly after the renovation work. Worship services were held until 1941. During the war, the Nazis used the premises, like most others, as a warehouse.
The final reconstruction work, which gave it a modern look, was completed in 1996. To this day, services continue to be held on one side, the other is given to the museum, where sacred scriptures, relics, and various silver jewelry are displayed, causing admiration.
The aura of the centuries-old Jewish presence hung over the Czech streets like a silvery fog, hiding in the nooks and crannies of old houses, in every stone, like a puppeteer’s hand in a doll. Turning your gaze to the adjacent structure, you will certainly be able to feel it.
Jewish Town Hall
Until the 19th century the two buildings were inseparable: in the synagogue they prayed and purified their souls; next door were the administrative and cultural centers, where elders sat and rabbis judged lawbreakers.
The construction of the town hall began during the heyday of the Jewish community in the 70s. XVI century, when the number of inhabitants in the ghetto reached 7,000, which accounted for 30% of the entire Prague population. The local mayor, Maisel, considered the richest man in the capital, allocated his own money for the construction. The work was completed in 1586. The building survived fires, destruction, miraculously survived fascism, was rebuilt, changed.
What is special and attractive about a building built in the Rococo style? Raise your head up. The unique tower, reaching almost 28 m in height, of an unusual shape will make anyone pause for a moment. It was allowed to be erected in 1648 by the monarch Ferdinand III in gratitude to the nation, which helped defend the Charles Bridge during the Swedish siege. Looking at it, anyone will exclaim: “This is the hat of an ordinary Swedish soldier, only of a huge size.” And he won't be wrong. The top is decorated with a golden Star of David shining in the sun, visible from afar.
The clocks with Roman numerals are striking, and above the central facade there is another pair of them with a reverse movement, glorified by the masters of the pen. Instead of numbers on the dial there are incomprehensible symbols - letters written in Hebrew. Strange, the arrows go in the opposite direction. What does it mean? The explanation is simple: Israelis make notes from right to left, and the clock mechanism works according to this rule. It was made by the royal Prague watchmaker Landesberger. Not everyone will be able to determine the time from them.
It’s a pity that tourists here are only allowed to visit kosher restaurants. But this has an advantage: you will be able to fully appreciate the taste of healthy food of the Jewish people: stuffed fish will be served on a platter with fresh vegetables, a leg of lamb stuffed with aroma will stun you and make you want to taste at least a piece. Once you're full, you'll feel your mood soar. The sad impressions of visiting the cemetery will slowly melt away, the optimism of the persecuted nation will be overwhelmed, and you will want to exclaim: “Life is beautiful!”
The journey through Joseph's quarter has come to an end, having lifted the veil of his own life. But a marvelous stone flower called Prague, carefully preserving the magical music of centuries, beckons with new unsolved mysteries, calls again, and there is not enough strength to resist this call.
