Top Sites in Prague Jewish Quarter

Jewish people have lived in Prague since the beginning of the city’s historical records, so you will find synagogues, Jewish cemeteries, and other sites related to Jewish culture here. Don’t forget, Prague is the hometown of Franz Kafka and Golem! Moreover, Prague’s Jewish Museum is located in one of the most preserved former ghettos in Europe, so let’s dive into all the Jewish history sites in the Czech capital.

Top Sites in Prague’s Jewish Quarter (Josefov)

Old New Synagogue

We have to kick off our list with the oldest still-functioning synagogue in Europe. The Old New Synagogue is located in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, just a 5-minute walk from the Old Town Square through Paris Boulevard. This synagogue was founded around 1280 and was the central hub of cultural and religious life for all Jewish people. Most travelers know it from the famous story of the Golem and his creator Rabbi Low, who locked the unruly beast in the attic of the Old New Synagogue and forbade people to go there. To this day, no one has been granted access to Golem’s shelter except for a couple of influential historical figures who chose to remain silent about what they saw. I guess Golem will remain a myth forever!

Do you need a ticket to enter the Old New Synagogue?

Yes, you can purchase a ticket at the info center located across the street from the Old New Synagogue or online. The admission fee is 500 crowns and includes six other sites. The Old New Synagogue is open Sunday to Friday, closing only for Shabbat and important religious holidays.

2. Old Jewish Cemetery

This legendary site used to be an active cemetery for around 300 years (15th-18th century) until it was closed on the orders of Joseph II, the Emperor who freed Jewish inhabitants of the ghetto.

How many people are buried in the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague?

There are around 12,000 tombstones at the Old Jewish Cemetery, which means the number of buried people can be anywhere between 40,000 and 100,000. The oldest one belongs to Abigdor Kara, a poet who described a horrible pogrom of 1389. Over the centuries of the cemetery’s existence, its territory was simply too small for the population of the Jewish Quarter, so the deceased had to be stacked on top of each other, which was achieved by layering the soil at certain spots of the cemetery. This should explain the uneven terrain of the burial grounds that surprises visitors.

Who is buried in Prague’s Old Jewish Cemetery?

Among the most famous names are Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel and his wife Perl, Rivka (daughter of Meier Tikotin, the first Prague’s female writer), David Gans (astronomer and chronicler), Simon Wolf Aurebach (the highest rabbi of Prague), Mordecai Meisel, and others.

Old Jewish Cemetery Tickets and Free Entry

You can visit the Old Jewish Cemetery as part of the Jewish Museum ticket, which can be purchased at the entrance of the Pinkas Synagogue or in the Info center near the Old New Synagogue. The Old Jewish Cemetery opens for free only on the Museum Night, which takes place once a year.

3. Maisel Synagogue

This beautiful Renaissance synagogue was built on the orders of Mordecai Meisel, one of the most extraordinary personalities in Prague’s Jewish history. The synagogue was constructed in 1590-1593 and was the first one to have Ezrat Nashim, a balcony where women could enter. Currently, Maisel Synagogue has a fascinating exhibition dedicated of the history of the Czech Jewish community.

Maisel Synagogue Opening Hours

Just like other sites of the Prague Jewish Museum, Maisel Synagogue is open daily from Sunday through Friday, from 9 AM to 4:30 PM from October to March, and from 9 AM to 6 PM from April to October.

4. Spanish Synagogue

One of the most unusual architectural examples for this part of Europe, the Spanish Synagogue was built in Moorish style, typical of Portugal and Spain. This synagogue was constructed in 1868 at the site of a much older building called Old School and was inspired by the Spanish Alhambra. Nowadays, you can see the exhibition dedicated to the history of the Jewish people from Joseph II’s reforms in the 1780s to the post-war period.

5. Pinkas Synagogue

This is the second oldest synagogue in Prague’s Jewish Quarter, which is now a Holocaust memorial. The walls of Pinkas Synagogue are covered with the names of people who perished in the concentration camps, and a voice track reads them aloud as visitors go through the historical interiors. There is also an exhibition dedicated to Drawings of Children from Terezin’s ghetto on the first floor. We have made a video about Terezin on our YouTube channel.

6. Klausen Synagogue and Ceremonial Hall

Klausen Synagogue is the largest synagogue in the Jewish Quarter built in 1694 in earl;y Baroque style. Neo-Romanesque Ceremonial Hall is situated right next to Klausen Synagogue and was used by the Prague Burial Society (Hevrah Kaddisha).

You will find the exhibition of Jewish customs and Traditions in both of these buildings, which are accessible with a ticket to the Prague Jewish Museum.

Franz Kafka’s statue in Prague’s Jewish Quarter

7. Statue of Franz Kafka

What is the meaning of the headless Franz Kafka Statue in Prague?

The author of Franz Kafka’s statue, Jaroslav Rona, was inspired by one of the writer’s earlier works, a short story called "The Description of a Struggle." There, the main character walks through the streets of night Prague and meets an acquaintance, jumping on his shoulders and riding him through the countryside. That is why you can see Franz Kafka sitting on the shoulders of an empty suit.

Tips for visiting Prague’s Jewish Quarter

When visiting in warm weather, wear clothes that cover your shoulders and are appropriate for entering religious sites.
Do not bring large bags and luggage if you want to see the Jewish Quarter museums and the cemetery, as there are no storage rooms for that.
Bear in mind, that the ticket for the Jewish Town is valid for 3 days with a single entrance per site. Group tickets for 6 and more people are only valid for one day.

Top Jewish Sites Outside of Pargue’s Josefov

Prague’s New Jewish Cemetery

Located near Zelivskeho metro station, Prague’s New Jewish cemetery was established in 1890 after the closure of Zizkov cemetery. This is where the famous Prague-born writer Franz Kafka is buried. This cemetery is open Sunday through Friday and is free to visit.

Jubilee (Jerusalem) Synagogue in Prague

The most colorful Prague synagogue, the Jubilee Synagogue, was named after the silver jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria. This is an active synagogue, located near Prague’s Main Train Station. You can visit it between April and December from 10 AM to 5 PM. The entrance fee to the Jerusalem Synagogue is 150 crowns per adult.

Zizkov Jewish Cemetery

Zizkov Jewish Cemetery was opened in 1680 as a burial ground for the victims of the plague epidemic, as the Old Jewish Cemetery in Josefov was too crowded. It is located right below the Prague’s TV tower. In 2022, sculptors Jaroslav and Lucie Rona created artwork from the old tombstones that were used as cobbles on Wenceslas Square, returning them to the cemetery, which became known as the "return of the stones". Nowadays, the cemetery has no admission fee and is open Sunday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM.

Tours of Prague Jewish Quarter

Tour of Synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery with Prague Jewish Quarter guide - contact the Jewish Museum via link for a tour inquiry! Only the official guides of the Prague Jewish Quarter can take you through its museums.
Old Town, Jewish Quarter, and Charles Bridge Free Tour - Join a group of travelers for a tour of the Jewish Quarter’s most iconic sights as well as other landmarks such as Old Town Square and Charles Bridge. This tour does not include the interiors and tickets to the Jewish Museum.

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