Discovering Prague’s Jewish Quarter: A Self-Guided Walking Tour (2025)

This architectural gem of Moorish Revival style is renowned for its richly decorated interiors. Built in 1868 on the site of the oldest synagogue in Prague, the Spanish Synagogue dazzles with Islamic-inspired motifs, golden details, and stained glass windows. Though named “Spanish,” it never served a Sephardic congregation—rather, the name reflects its exotic design. Today, it forms part of the Jewish Museum and houses exhibitions on the history of Jews in the Czech lands from the 18th century to the present. Don’t miss the elaborate organ, the Magen David-adorned dome, and the richly ornamented interior walls that surround you in intricate patterns of vibrant color and gold.

Founded in 1906, the Jewish Museum in Prague was initially created to preserve artifacts from demolished synagogues in the ghetto. Ironically, during the Nazi occupation, it was transformed into the Central Jewish Museum, collecting items from destroyed Jewish communities across Bohemia and Moravia. Today, the museum manages six sites within Josefov, including synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery, displaying one of the world’s most significant collections of Jewish ceremonial art, rare manuscripts, and historical documents. Interactive exhibits and audio guides help bring this centuries-spanning narrative to life, offering deeper insight into Jewish rituals, festivals, and historical struggles

Located next to the Jewish Town Hall, this Renaissance-style synagogue was built in 1568 with funding from the wealthy merchant Mordechai Maisel. Originally used by the Jewish Council and Rabbinic Court, it served as a private prayer hall for community leaders. Its elevated sanctuary, reached by a stairway from the street, earned it the name “High” Synagogue. After periods of use as an exhibition space, the synagogue was reconsecrated in 1997. Although it is not always open to tourists, its exterior and history symbolize the importance of Jewish leadership and governance during the ghetto era.

Europe’s oldest still-active synagogue, the Old-New Synagogue was completed in the late 13th century and is a Gothic masterpiece of austere beauty. Its tall gables, ribbed vaulting, and stone benches speak of medieval craftsmanship. According to legend, the synagogue’s attic holds the resting remains of the Golem—a mythical protector of Prague’s Jews created by Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel. With twin naves and high vaulted ceilings, the structure reflects both Jewish tradition and Christian monastic influences. This site has witnessed hundreds of years of continuous prayer and remains an active place of worship to this day.

Established in the early 15th century, the Old Jewish Cemetery is one of the most hauntingly beautiful sites in Prague. Due to space limitations, layers of burials resulted in a landscape of densely packed, tilted headstones—more than 12,000 visible, with many more beneath. Among the most notable burials is Rabbi Loew (the Maharal of Prague), famous for his philosophical works and the legend of the Golem. Other notable graves include poet Avigdor Kara and Mordechai Maisel. The solemn paths between the stones offer a rare and poignant look into centuries of Jewish life and death in Prague.

Built in neo-Romanesque style in the early 20th century, the Ceremonial Hall originally served as a meeting place for Prague’s Burial Society. Today, it is part of the Jewish Museum and contains exhibitions on Jewish funerary practices. The displays showcase ritual objects, burial garments, and vivid illustrations of customs surrounding death, mourning, and remembrance. Three floors of exhibits delve into the work of the Burial Society, including detailed paintings that show the washing and dressing of the deceased according to Jewish law. The atmosphere is reflective and dignified, honoring the community’s approach to the cycle of life.

Just outside Josefov stands the elegant Museum of Decorative Arts, which includes significant Judaica collections. These include silver ritual objects, intricately embroidered Torah mantles, and rare printed books. The museum highlights the aesthetic and cultural richness of Jewish craftsmanship in Bohemia and Moravia and provides a broader context for understanding the artifacts preserved in the Jewish Quarter. Its rotating exhibitions often explore themes such as identity, tradition, and artistic expression within Jewish communities.

Named after the Czech student who self-immolated in 1969 in protest against the Soviet invasion, Jan Palach Square lies just east of the Jewish Quarter. It serves as a solemn reminder of 20th-century resistance and sacrifice. From here, visitors can appreciate views of the Vltava River, the Rudolfinum concert hall, and nearby Jewish sites. The square is often used for commemorative events and offers benches and green space for quiet contemplation amid the urban bustle.

Originally founded in 1535, the Pinkas Synagogue now serves as a deeply moving Holocaust memorial. Its walls are inscribed with the names of over 77,000 Czech and Moravian Jews who perished during the Shoah. The somber space leads into a gallery displaying poignant drawings made by children interned at Terezín, preserving fragments of their inner lives before they were sent to Auschwitz. This site forms one of the most powerful Holocaust memorials in Europe. Quiet and haunting, the synagogue provides a vital place for remembrance, reflection, and education.

Financed by Mordechai Maisel in 1592, the Maisel Synagogue was one of the most opulent in its time. Though it has undergone several reconstructions, its neo-Gothic design still captivates. Inside, the synagogue houses exhibitions detailing Jewish life from the 10th to 18th centuries, including rare manuscripts, ancient coins, and ceremonial items. Its collections highlight the flourishing and challenges of Jewish communities in Bohemia through the centuries. The synagogue also tells the story of Mordechai Maisel himself, whose philanthropy significantly shaped the architecture and cultural life of Prague’s Jewish Quarter.