Jewish Quarter

A real Jewish city in Prague is located between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River. Today the district of Josefov is a prestigious part of the city with respectable mansions. Once there was a small Jewish settlement, called the "Prague ghetto". This modern Jewish quarter is also an incredible open-air museum: it has preserved many unique historical treasures that all guests of Prague are eager to visit.

History of the Jewish quarter of Josefov in Prague

The history of the district Josefov in the Czech Republic is dramatic and cruel, but at the same time very exciting. Jewish settlers appeared here in the late 11th century, and after 5 centuries all Prague Jews were forcibly resettled here. This is how the "ghetto in Prague" appeared. The people in the Jewish district were living very hard, they were infringed in everything:

The situation improved only in the middle of the IXX century. when the Jews received equal rights with Christians. Only then they were able to live in any district of the city. The Jewish quarter received its name "Josefov" in honor of Emperor Josef II, who carried out liberal reforms against Czech Jews.

The boundary between the IXX and XX centuries. destroyed most of the Jewish district in Prague: new roads were laid here. However, the main historical and architectural monuments were preserved. The terrible and sad page of the history of the Jewish quarter was the arrival of the Nazis to power. After the complete destruction of the Jews, they planned from this quarter to create a museum of the disappeared nation. It was thanks to such a decision of Hitler, on whose order values ​​and various objects of worship were brought here, and the quarter of Josefov was preserved. Below you can see the photo of the location of the Jewish Quarter in Prague on the map.

Sights of the Jewish Quarter in Prague

Josefov is a unique monument of Jewish culture, which has no analogue in Europe. Guided tour for your tour of the block will be the star of David, which is installed here on almost every building. What interesting to see in the Jewish Quarter in Prague:

  1. The Old-New Synagogue . This is the oldest religious monument and the main spiritual center of the Jews in Prague, erected in 1270. During its long history, it practically did not change its original appearance.
  2. High synagogue. In the period from 1950 to 1992, it housed an exposition of the Prague Jewish Museum. After the reconstruction in 1996, the synagogue became the prayer house of the Jewish inhabitants of Prague.
  3. The Majzel Synagogue. One of the most beautiful prayer houses in the Josefov quarter in Prague. It was built in 1592 as a personal synagogue of the rabbi of the ghetto and the court financier of Emperor Rudolph II Mordechai Meisel. Today it serves not as a prayer house, but as a repository for the Jewish Museum.
  4. The synagogue of Pinsk. Built it from 1519 to 1535 years. Despite the fact that it has repeatedly tweaked the reconstruction, still retained the Renaissance and Gothic features. Now this building is a famous monument to the victims of the Holocaust and the center of Jewish culture.
  5. Klaus synagogue. Located next to the Old Jewish Cemetery. In 1689 it was destroyed by a fire, but already in 1694 the synagogue was completely restored, and already in the Baroque style. In the prayer house there is an exposition of the State Jewish Museum.
  6. The Spanish synagogue. The Jewish house of prayer was built in 1867. Moorish style prevails in architecture, because it is interesting and completely atypical for the Jewish canon. In addition to the main purpose, organ concerts and exhibitions are held within its walls.
  7. Jerusalem or Jubilee Synagogue. The largest, beautiful and modern, it was built in 1906. Although the synagogue is actually located outside the Jewish Quarter, it is on the list of its sights .
  8. The Jewish Town Hall . This building since 1577 serves as the main center of the community of Prague Jews. Located just around the corner from the Old Synagogue. The clock for tourists with Hebrew letters, going counter-clockwise.
  9. An old Jewish cemetery . One of the most significant monuments of Jewish culture. In this place more than 100 thousand people are buried, including the majority of figures of Jewish culture and religion.
  10. The sculpture of Rabbi Levi. Created in 1910 and installed on the corner of the New Town Hall. Sculptor L. Shaloon perfectly passed the moment when the Jewish defender, scholar, rabbi and thinker took from the hands of a young maiden a rose in which, according to legend, his death was hidden.
  11. Sculpture of Moses. In the park near the Staronovo synagogue in 1937, a bronze monument to the prophet was installed, which records the name of Adam in the scroll. The masterpiece, created in 1905 by F. Bilek, during the occupation period was melted by the fascists. Thanks to the plaster model, which the widow of the sculptor saved, the work of art was restored in its original form.
  12. The monument and the memorial plaque of Franz Kafka. The writer was born in the Jewish ghetto, therefore it is not surprising that a commemorative plaque was erected along Mayzelova Street, where he lived. In 2003, near the Spanish synagogue, an abstract monument to the work of sculptor J. Ron was installed, depicting the writer sitting on top of an empty suit.
  13. Gallery of Robert Guttmann. The exhibition hall was opened in 2001. In this place you can appreciate the work of sculptors and young artists of Jewish nationality.

What to buy in the Jewish Quarter?

Of course, in the very tourist area of ​​Prague there are many shops, souvenir shops and tents. From traditional souvenirs you can buy different magnets, coins, postcards depicting various attractions of the Jewish Quarter in Prague. There are also souvenirs that will remind you exactly about visiting the "Prague ghetto" - these are various figures of clay Golem, praying rabbis, all kinds of pendants of the star of David and kip.

Jewish Quarter in Prague - How to get there?

The quarter of Josefov is part of Old Prague and belongs to the administrative district of Prague 1. Address of the Jewish Quarter in Prague: Staré Město / Josefov, Praha 1. You can get here like this: