Grand synagogues, a 15th-century cemetery & specialist museums narrate Prague's Jewish story.

Prague Castle

Edoardo Colombo

Xuan Hoa Le

Pierre Blaché

Julius Silver

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Charles Bridge

Aditya Oberai

Jarod Barton

Alexandr Borecky

Yovan Verma

Old Town Square

Olga Lioncat

Yassen Kounchev

Carlo Primo

Miloš Steklý

Son Tung Tran

St. Vitus Cathedral

Stefan Stefancik

Fiona Pröll

Meri Verbina

Todoran Bogdan

Marko Margetić

Marco Mazzocchi

francesco giusti

Елена Косенко

Renato Consoli

Wenceslas Square

Prague Jewish Quarter

Prague's Jewish Quarter, Josefov, stands as a poignant testament to centuries of Jewish life within the city. Unlike many European ghettos, Josefov was not entirely destroyed but rather transformed during a late 19th-century urban renewal project, leaving a unique architectural juxtaposition of preserved synagogues and grand Art Nouveau facades. The Old Jewish Cemetery, remarkably layered with thousands of graves stacked upon each other due to space constraints, offers a haunting glimpse into the community's history. The legend of the Golem, created by Rabbi Loew to protect the Jewish community, is deeply intertwined with the quarter's folklore, adding a mystical dimension to its historical significance. The Pinkas Synagogue serves as a memorial to the Bohemian and Moravian Jews who perished in the Holocaust, their names meticulously inscribed on its walls, a chilling and powerful reminder of the past. The Jewish Town Hall, with its Hebrew clock running counter-clockwise, is a quirky architectural detail that reflects the community's distinct identity.

Introduction

The Prague Jewish Quarter showcases a remarkable collection of synagogue architecture, each structure reflecting distinct periods and styles. The Old-New Synagogue, one of Europe's oldest active synagogues, exemplifies early Gothic architecture with its simple, robust design and distinctive six-ribbed vaulting. Its interior, largely unchanged for centuries, offers a rare glimpse into medieval synagogue construction. The Pinkas Synagogue, now a memorial, poignantly displays the names of Bohemian and Moravian Jews murdered during the Holocaust inscribed on its walls, transforming the building itself into a monument. The Klausen Synagogue, the largest in the quarter, represents Baroque architecture, featuring an elaborate interior and housing exhibits of Jewish traditions and customs. The Spanish Synagogue, built in Moorish Revival style, stands out with its intricate stucco ornamentation, inspired by the Alhambra, reflecting the 19th-century fascination with Orientalism. The High Synagogue, connected to the Old Town Hall, served as a place of worship for community leaders and features a Renaissance design. Each synagogue contributes to the unique architectural tapestry of the Jewish Quarter, illustrating the evolving history and cultural identity of Prague's Jewish community. The Jewish Ceremonial Hall, while not a synagogue, complements the architectural narrative with its Romanesque Revival style, originally serving the burial society. Together, these structures form an unparalleled ensemble of Jewish religious architecture.

Synagogue Architecture

The Prague Jewish Quarter holds a unique position in the history of Jewish Mysticism, particularly concerning the legend of the Golem created by Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, the Maharal of Prague, in the late 16th century. This narrative, deeply embedded in Kabbalistic lore, portrays the Golem as a being brought to life through mystical incantations and the strategic placement of Hebrew letters, serving to protect the Jewish community from antisemitic threats. The Old New Synagogue (Altneuschul), where the Maharal served, is central to this legend, believed to be the Golem's hiding place after its duties were fulfilled.

Beyond the Golem narrative, the Jewish Quarter fostered a rich intellectual environment conducive to Kabbalistic study. The Maharal himself was a profound scholar whose writings explored complex theological and philosophical concepts within a mystical framework. His teachings, and those of his contemporaries, contributed significantly to the dissemination and interpretation of Kabbalistic ideas in Central Europe.

Furthermore, the quarter's ancient Jewish cemetery, with its layers of graves and weathered tombstones, evokes a sense of history and continuity that resonates with mystical traditions emphasizing the interconnectedness of generations and the enduring presence of the past. The concentration of Jewish life within the quarter created a unique spiritual ecosystem, where mystical beliefs and practices intertwined with daily life, leaving an indelible mark on the area's cultural and historical identity. Visiting the Prague Jewish Quarter offers a tangible connection to this legacy, allowing one to explore the physical spaces where Jewish Mysticism flourished and its enduring stories took root.

Jewish Mysticism

Prague Jewish Quarter

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