Jerusalem Synagogue, Prague

Synagogue in Prague

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Adámoz

If you're interested in Prague beyond the medieval postcard, the Jubilee Synagogue is one of the top attractions in Prague for architecture lovers. It's visually bold in a way the city doesn't always allow-striped red-and-white stonework, a dramatic rose window, and Moorish-inspired forms that feel more like a statement than a backdrop. Because it sits slightly outside the tight Josefov cluster, it also gives you a fresh angle on Prague's Jewish heritage without the same density of crowds.

The experience is especially rewarding if you like places that still function as living spaces rather than purely curated museums. It's often visited on walking tours of Prague that connect New Town and the main station area, and it's a strong stop to pair with a day of design-focused sightseeing, thanks to its distinctive blend of Moorish Revival structure and Art Nouveau detailing inside.

History and Significance of the Jubilee Synagogue
Things to See and Do in the Jubilee Synagogue
How to Get to the Jubilee Synagogue
Practical Tips on Visiting the Jerusalem Synagogue
Where to Stay close to the Jubilee Synagogue
Is the Jubilee Synagogue Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Jubilee Synagogue
For Different Travelers
Nearby Attractions to the Jubilee Synagogue

History and Significance of the Jubilee Synagogue

Built in the early 20th century, the Jubilee Synagogue is Prague's newest major historic synagogue, and it reflects a moment when the city's Jewish community was expressing civic confidence through ambitious architecture. The name “Jubilee” points to its commemorative purpose, while the alternate name “Jerusalem Synagogue” comes simply from its address on Jeruzalémská Street, which many visitors find easier to remember.

Architecturally, it represents a striking synthesis. The exterior leans into Moorish Revival and Mudéjar-inspired motifs-forms and patterns that signal a pan-European fascination with “oriental” design languages at the time-while the interior shifts toward Art Nouveau softness, with flowing lines and floral ornamentation that feel distinctly of its era.

Its significance today is also practical: unlike some historic synagogues that primarily function as museum spaces, the Jubilee Synagogue continues to operate as an active place of worship while welcoming visitors. That dual role matters, because it places you inside a living religious environment rather than a purely historical reconstruction, even as concerts and cultural events broaden its public reach.

Things to See and Do in the Jubilee Synagogue

Start outside and take in the façade slowly. The striped stonework and rose window are the obvious features, but the Hebrew inscriptions and decorative framing are where the craftsmanship reveals itself. It’s one of those buildings where the “extra” details are not optional-they’re the whole point.

Inside, the atmosphere changes. The Art Nouveau influence becomes more pronounced, especially in the curving lines and ornamental motifs that soften the geometry of the Moorish Revival structure. Take time near the Torah ark and look upward, because the ceiling and upper elements often carry some of the most memorable decorative work.

If your timing aligns, consider attending a concert or event. The presence of a historic organ and the synagogue’s acoustics can make performances here feel unusually immersive, because sound and architecture reinforce one another. Even without an event, the interior is a rewarding stop for anyone interested in the crossover between sacred space and early-20th-century design.

How to Get to the Jubilee Synagogue

The Jubilee Synagogue is located in New Town near Prague's main station area, making it straightforward to reach on foot from central routes and very easy to add if you are arriving or departing by rail.

If you are arriving by air, Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) is the nearest airport, with public transport links and taxi/rideshare connections into the city center. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Prague on Booking.com.

If you are coming by train, Praha hlavní nádraží (Prague Main Station) is nearby, and the synagogue is an easy walk from the station area. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.

Long-distance buses typically arrive at Florenc, which connects quickly by metro for a short onward hop to the central station and New Town.

If you are driving, it’s usually best to park outside the center and finish by metro or walking, as central parking is limited and traffic can be slow.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Jerusalem Synagogue

Suggested tips: Visit earlier in the day for clearer light on the façade, then return later if you want to attend an evening concert without feeling rushed.
Best time to visit: Late morning for a calmer interior experience; early evening is ideal if you’re combining the visit with an event.
Entrance fee: Adults: 135.00 Kč
Opening hours: Daily: 10:00-17:00. Closed Saturdays.
Official website: https://www.synagogue.cz/en/jerusalem-synagogue
How long to spend: 30-60 minutes for a standard visit, longer if you’re attending a concert or lingering with architectural details.
Accessibility: Generally manageable, but confirm step-free access if you need it, as historic entrances can involve steps.
Facilities: Limited facilities on-site; plan cafés and restrooms in the nearby main station and New Town area.
Photography tip: If photography is allowed, wide interior shots often work best, but avoid blocking aisles and be especially discreet during services.
Guided tours: A New Town architecture walk can be a good match, since the synagogue fits naturally into a broader Art Nouveau and early-20th-century route.
Nearby food options: The area around the main station has plenty of quick options; for a calmer meal, walk a few minutes deeper into New Town streets.

Where to Stay close to the Jubilee Synagogue

If you want a practical, central base near the main station that still feels comfortable and refined, Grandium Hotel Prague is well placed for walking to the synagogue and connecting across the city. For a boutique-style option close to Wenceslas Square and New Town routes, Jalta Boutique Hotel works well if you want easy access to both nightlife and major landmarks. If you prefer a more upscale, design-forward stay near the center, The Julius Prague is a strong base for exploring on foot and returning easily by metro.

Is the Jubilee Synagogue Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially if you enjoy architecture that feels bold and distinct. The Jubilee Synagogue offers something you don't get everywhere in Prague: a vivid, almost theatrical exterior paired with an interior that softens into Art Nouveau elegance.

It's also worth visiting because it broadens your understanding of Prague's Jewish heritage beyond Josefov. Seeing a later synagogue built in a different era helps you appreciate how community life and artistic expression evolved into the 20th century, and it adds welcome variety to a Prague itinerary.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (4,596)

Jerusalem Synagogue at Jeruzalémská 7 in Prague's Nové Město is an early 20th‑century, art nouveau– and Moorish‑influenced synagogue whose richly colored, ornate exterior and interior draw visitors' attention; inside there are detailed decorations, a gallery with an exhibition about the Jewish community's revival after World War II, and displays about individuals affected by the war, while an exterior stair provides access to an upper level and head coverings are available for those who need them.

Joa a M L Fearn

3 months ago

"Stu ing synagogue! The Jerusalem Synagogue is a MUST SEE in Prague whether religious or not. The architecture alone is a marvel. I recently visited -Sept 2025 and once I discovered this place, it was on my to do it of places to visit in Prague, Once you turn the corner onto the street, what seems as an assuming side street soon greets you with a stu ing building full of design, colour and abstract patterns. Truly a work of art. Even if you didn't go inside, the outside alone is impressive. On the inside, the décor is very ornate and has an Arabian/Islamic influence in terms of the arches. It is full of colour and gold. There is detail in every nook and cra y. Apart from being a synagogue there is much information about Jewish people from WW2 when they were settled in Prague and displaced. Reading the extracts are quite insightful. You can access the balcony by the outside exterior stairs, there is no lift. There is a small fee to enter but its worth it. I guess its for upkeep/maintenance of the building. You do go through airport style security. Aside from the Jerusalem Synagogue, there are many others to visit in the Jewish Quarter of the Nove Mesto district - Pinkas, Old/New Synagogue, Spanish Synagogue and Zidovske Museum. If you book your ticket online, you will save money by buying a combination to visit all four unless you only want to see certain places individually...."

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Anand

4 months ago

"Wonderful Synagogue. It shows up all of a sudden. My family didn’t even notice it until I pointed out to them. But when they saw, they were in awe.The color and design is beautiful. You get a good history inside about individuals involved in the war. You can also go to the top level for another view. Men do have to show some respect and cover their head. They provide a head covering if you do not have one...."

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eran Farin

4 months ago

"The Jubilee Synagogue, also known as the Jerusalem Synagogue was built in the early 20th century. The synagogue is not only architecturally stu ingbut also an important symbol of the Jewish community’s history in Prague. Its exterior is impressively designed, and the interior is filled with vibrant colors and intricate details..."

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FAQs for Visiting Jubilee Synagogue

It was named to mark a jubilee celebration associated with Emperor Franz Joseph I.

Because it is located on Jeruzalémská Street, and many visitors use that name for easier orientation.

No, it’s generally visited separately from the Jewish Museum sites in Josefov.

Yes, it continues to function as a place of worship, which can affect visiting hours and visitor behavior expectations.

Most people spend 30-60 minutes, longer if they attend a concert or want detailed architectural viewing.

Yes, concerts and cultural events are sometimes held, and the acoustics can make them a standout experience.

Yes, it’s near Praha hlavní nádraží, making it easy to visit if you’re arriving by rail.

Modest, respectful clothing is recommended, especially if services are taking place.

Photography policies can vary, so check the posted rules and be discreet, particularly around worshippers.

Yes, because the style mix is different and it offers a later, more exuberant take on Moorish Revival with Art Nouveau interiors.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

For families, the Jubilee Synagogue is a strong choice because it's visually striking. Kids often respond to the bold colors and patterns immediately, which can make the visit feel engaging without needing long explanations. Keep the visit focused on a few highlights-façade details, the rose window, and the main interior space-then move on before attention fades.

If you’re visiting during a quieter period, it can be a smooth, low-stress stop near transport hubs. Plan a nearby café break afterward, since the main station area makes it easy to grab food and reset.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, this is an excellent “design and atmosphere” stop that feels slightly off the most crowded tourist path. The interior has a warm, ornamental elegance, and the façade is one of the most photogenic in the city if you catch it in good light.

Consider pairing it with an evening concert if one is available. It's a distinctive Prague memory: a historic sacred space experienced through music, architecture, and a calmer New Town evening mood.

Budget Travelers

Budget travelers will find this a good-value paid stop because it offers a unique style you won't replicate elsewhere in Prague. It's also easy to reach on foot from major transport points, which saves on getting around.

To keep costs low, build it into a walking loop that includes Wenceslas Square and nearby New Town passages, then continue into Old Town on foot. You can create a full sightseeing day with minimal transport spend.

History Buffs

History-focused travelers should see it as a later chapter of Prague's Jewish architectural story. After Josefov's older synagogues, the Jubilee Synagogue shows what community confidence and design taste looked like in the early 20th century, when Art Nouveau and Moorish Revival aesthetics overlapped.

Pair it with a visit to Wenceslas Square or the National Museum to connect architecture with the era's shifting identity politics. It adds useful context for understanding Prague's transition into modernity.

Nearby Attractions to the Jubilee Synagogue

Wenceslas Square: Prague's grand civic boulevard, ideal for combining with the synagogue as part of a New Town walk.
National Museum: A monumental landmark at the top of Wenceslas Square, offering broad cultural and historical context.
Prague State Opera: A nearby cultural venue, perfect for an evening performance after a day of architecture.
Charles Bridge: Prague's most famous crossing, reachable by a scenic walk along the Vltava.
Senovážné Square: A convenient nearby square that links walking routes between the main station area and central Prague.

The Jerusalem Synagogue appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Prague!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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