Name: Spanish Synagogue
Address: Vězeňská 1, 110 00 Praha 1-Staré Město, Czechia
Telephone: 222 749 211
Rating: 4.5

Owned by Prague's Jewish Museum, this Moorish-style place of worship now hosts exhibits & concerts.

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Spanish Synagogue

The Spanish Synagogue in Praha, Hlavní město Praha, Czechia, stands as a testament to the Jewish community's embrace of Moorish Revival architecture, a style rarely seen in European synagogues outside of Spain. Its intricate stucco ornamentation, inspired by the Alhambra, distinguishes it from other synagogues in Prague's Jewish Quarter. Architect Vojtěch Ignátz Ullmann, rather than simply replicating Spanish designs, adapted the style to suit the synagogue's function and the local aesthetic sensibilities. The synagogue's design cleverly incorporates elements of both Jewish tradition and contemporary artistic trends, reflecting a desire for integration and modernization within the community. Interestingly, the synagogue was built on the site of Prague's oldest synagogue, the Altschul, adding a layer of historical significance to its already impressive presence. The building's interior, with its vibrant colors and geometric patterns, creates a unique spiritual atmosphere, setting it apart from the more austere synagogues found elsewhere in Europe.

Introduction

The Spanish Synagogue in Prague, erected in 1868, stands as a testament to the Reform congregation it was built for, marking it as the most recent synagogue in the Prague Jewish Town. Constructed on the site of the 12th-century Altschul, the oldest synagogue in the Prague ghetto, its very foundation speaks to the evolving religious landscape of Bohemian Jewry. The synagogue's moniker, "Spanish Synagogue," derives from its Moorish interior design, inspired by the Alhambra, reflecting the Reform movement's embrace of aesthetic influences beyond traditional Ashkenazi styles. This design, executed by Antonín Baum and Bedřich Münzberger from 1882–83, visually symbolized a departure from the past and an openness to modernity.

Further underscoring its connection to Reform Judaism, František Škroup, composer of the Czech national anthem, served as the organist here between 1836 and 1845. The presence of an organ, a musical instrument traditionally absent in Orthodox synagogues, highlights the Reform congregation's adoption of practices designed to appeal to a broader, more assimilated community. The synagogue's permanent exhibition, "Jews in the Bohemian Lands, 19th-20th Centuries," delves into the advancements toward equality and emancipation for Jews in Austria-Hungary, the foundation of the Czech-Jewish movement, and profiles prominent Jewish figures, reflecting the Reform movement's emphasis on integration and cultural contribution. The Spanish Synagogue, therefore, is not merely a building but a physical embodiment of Reform Judaism's trajectory in Bohemia.

Reform Judaism in Bohemia

Prague's Spanish Synagogue stands as a striking testament to Moorish architectural influence, a dazzling jewel distinct from its older counterparts in the city. Constructed in the 1860s, the synagogue embodies the Moorish Revival style that gained popularity during the 19th century, a conscious design choice reflecting the community's embrace of this aesthetic. Its very name, "Spanish Synagogue," alludes to the Moorish design inspiration drawn from the Alhambra, a renowned example of Moorish architecture.

The Moorish Revival style is evident both inside and out. The exterior is characterized by horseshoe arches, a hallmark of Moorish design, immediately signaling the building's unique architectural identity. Inside, visitors are transported to a world of intricate geometric patterns covering the walls and surfaces, a common motif in Moorish architecture. The interior features a low stucco arabesque of stylized Islamic motifs applied to the walls, doors, and gallery balustrades, further emphasizing the Moorish influence. The synagogue's design incorporates a regular square plan topped by a large dome, under which galleries open onto the nave, all adorned with the distinctive Moorish decorative elements. The gold arabesques and stained-glass windows contribute to the overall grandeur, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of Andalusia. This architectural approach distinguishes the Spanish Synagogue, making it a significant example of Moorish architectural adaptation in a Jewish house of worship.

Moorish Architectural Influence

The Spanish Synagogue in Prague holds a unique connection to František Škroup, the composer of the Czech national anthem. Škroup served as the organist at this synagogue from 1836 to 1845, a period that significantly predates the construction of the current Spanish Synagogue, which was built in 1868. His tenure was actually at the Altschul, the oldest synagogue in the Prague ghetto, which stood on the site where the Spanish Synagogue now resides.

While the current Moorish-style building, with its interior designed by Antonín Baum and Bedřich Münzberger, came later, Škroup's musical presence on this very ground adds a layer of historical depth. Knowing that the composer of such a pivotal piece of Czech identity once filled the space with music, albeit within a different architectural setting, enriches the site's cultural significance. The Altschul, where Škroup played, was eventually replaced by the Spanish Synagogue, a testament to the evolving Jewish community in Prague. The synagogue's exhibitions, which detail the history of Jews in the Bohemian lands, provide further context to the environment in which Škroup lived and worked. Although the current structure wasn't his direct workplace, its location ties it inextricably to his legacy.

Czech National Anthem Composer

The Spanish Synagogue, the most recent synagogue in Prague's Jewish Town, stands on the site of the 12th-century Altschul, the Prague ghetto's oldest synagogue. Built in 1868 for the local Reform congregation, it gained its name from its Moorish interior design, influenced by the Alhambra. The synagogue's design is attributed to Josef Niklas and Jan Bělský, with the interior created by Antonín Baum and Bedřich Münzberger between 1882 and 1883.

The Spanish Synagogue hosts a permanent exhibition, "Jews in the Bohemian Lands, 19th-20th Centuries," which explores the history of Jews in Bohemia from the reforms of Joseph II in the 1780s to the post-World War II era. It highlights the advancements toward equality and emancipation for Jews in Austria-Hungary, the foundation of Czech-Jewish and Zionist movements, and profiles prominent Jewish figures like Franz Kafka and Sigmund Freud. The exhibition also addresses the redevelopment of Prague's Jewish Town, Jewish sites in Bohemia and Moravia, and the history of the Jewish Museum in Prague, with a focus on the Shoah of Jews from Bohemia and Moravia, and the Terezín ghetto.

Prague Jewish Town History

Spanish Synagogue

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