Old-New Synagogue, Prague
Synagogue in Prague
The Old-New Synagogue (Altneuschul) stands as one of Prague’s most revered and enigmatic monuments, not only because of its age, but also for the legends woven into its very stone. Completed around 1270, it is the oldest continuously operating synagogue in Europe and among the earliest Gothic buildings in Prague. Originally dubbed the “New” or “Great” Synagogue to distinguish it from older structures, the current name came into use in the 16th century as newer synagogues appeared around it—ironically making the “Old-New” label both accurate and enduring.
Unlike the ornate grandeur of nearby synagogues like the Spanish or Maisel Synagogue, the Old-New Synagogue is a model of medieval restraint. Its thick stone walls, rib-vaulted twin-nave ceiling, and pointed Gothic windows create a solemn, introspective space that feels frozen in time. The central bimah, surrounded by a low iron grille, and the twelve pews for male congregants (one for each tribe of Israel) emphasize its long-standing role as a working place of worship. Designed with a twin-nave layout—unusual in Jewish architecture—the structure was likely influenced by Christian monastic design, possibly shaped by the same stone masons who worked on local churches.
Yet beyond architecture and religious function, the Old-New Synagogue is steeped in one of Prague’s most enduring legends: the tale of the Golem. Created in the late 1500s by Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, or Rabbi Löw, this mystical clay figure was brought to life using Kabbalistic rituals to protect the Jewish community from persecution. The Golem was said to reside in the synagogue’s attic, where Rabbi Löw deactivated it for the Sabbath each Friday. When the Golem’s growing unpredictability became a threat, the Rabbi rendered it dormant—its massive clay form allegedly still hidden in the attic, inaccessible to visitors today. Some even say the synagogue has been spared destruction over the centuries by divine forces disguised as doves fluttering around the rooftops.
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Visiting Old-New Synagogue, Prague
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