Jewish Quarter in Prague – history, photos, how to get there, what to see, map
You can enter the Jewish Quarter unnoticed while looking around the center of Prague. The block is located next to the Old Town Square. The stars of David on the houses will tell you where you are. The main attractions here are the synagogues with a rich history, the town hall, the old Jewish cemetery and the monument to Kafka.
History of the Josefov Quarter
The Jews settled in these places when there was no talk of Prague yet. Then the peaceful and timid people were expelled by the warlike Celts. According to legend, Princess Libuse in the 8th century. uttered a prophecy: when people who are oppressed by all, who believe in the Creator, come to the local river, the monarch should give them shelter. By this good deed, he will invoke God's mercy on his country. The prophecy came true – in the 9th century. Jews appeared on the banks of the Vltava. They were given permission to build their houses on the left bank. But, despite the mercy of the kings, the life of the Jews was not easy. Craftsmen and merchants were heavily taxed, and Jewish pogroms occurred from time to time.
Starting from the 13th century. Jews lived in a separate walled quarter, and of course, no one had the right to settle at their choice in another place in Prague. Only in the middle of the 19th century. King Joseph II allowed Jews to live anywhere in the city. Since then, the quarter has another name “Josefov”. Surprisingly, during the Second World War, the Jewish Quarter was not wiped off the face of the earth by the Nazis. On the contrary, things related to Jewish culture were brought here. The fact is that it was here that Hitler wanted to make a museum of a nation that disappeared from the map of Europe. Today, almost all sights, except for the oldest synagogue, can be viewed by purchasing a single ticket of the Jewish Museum.
Attractions of the Jewish Quarter
Tourists are curious about the old houses of the Jewish Quarter. And yet, synagogues are of the greatest interest, of which there are 6. The most ancient – the Old New Synagogue was built in the 13th century, that is, it is the oldest in Europe. It is made in the Gothic style, its interior decoration is not just modest – ascetic. Here the Jews in former times took refuge from persecution, but today their main spiritual center is concentrated here. According to legend, somewhere inside there is a secret room without an entrance, from where the Golem, the protector of the Jews, appears. Once it was fashioned from clay by Rabbi Loew, and God breathed life into it.
The Pinkas synagogue was built later, in the 16th century, and in its architecture the features of the Baroque harmoniously combined with the features of the Renaissance. Today there is a museum here. The museum is also housed in the Klaus synagogue dating back to the 17th century. It will be interesting for tourists to visit the Maisel synagogue, whose construction was completed in the last years of the 16th century. Here you will be told about Meisel, who, thanks to his work, from a poor Jew became one of the richest people in Europe, lending money to the royal court. At the same time, Meisel was engaged in extensive charitable activities and did a lot for his people.
Another synagogue, which is called the High, is combined with the town hall. And the greatest impression on the guests of the quarter is made by the Spanish Synagogue, richly decorated inside, and reminiscent of a luxurious palace. It is the youngest among other religious buildings.
Without a doubt, the old Jewish cemetery will impress tourists. The Jews were forbidden to bury their dead anywhere but this place. Therefore, the dead were literally laid on top of each other – in 12 layers. According to the most conservative estimates, at least 100 thousand people are buried here. Tombstones covered with moss stand close together. The very sight of this cemetery speaks of the oppression that the Jewish people have been subjected to for centuries. The town hall was built in the 16th century, when Jews already made up a third of the population of the Czech capital. Of course, the building survived both fires and destruction, but today it has been completely restored. On the town hall you can see the clock: some have Roman numerals, others have Hebrew letters. The arrows of the latter go in the opposite direction. Because the Israelis write from right to left. The monument to Franz Kafka, opened at the beginning of the 20th century, is unusual. The great writer is carried on his shoulders by a man without a head. Tourists like to take pictures near this monument.
How to get on your own
To get to the Jewish Quarter, you can use trams No. 17, 18. Or take the Green metro line and get off at Staromestska station.