Josefov Jewish Quarter. Where to buy tickets, their cost and museum opening hours
One of the most famous quarters in the city is the Jewish Quarter of Josefov, surrounded on all sides by the buildings of the Old City.
In the 10th century The first Jewish settlements began to appear on Mala Strana, as well as under. Now there is nothing left of them; starting from the first half of the 12th century, Jews began to populate the Old City. Four centuries later, the small settlement turned into a real Jewish quarter, where there were independent governing bodies, and all life in everyday life, politically and religiously was strikingly different from the life of the rest of the urban population.
It is quite natural that throughout the long history of Prague, the Jewish ghetto repeatedly suffered pogroms and evictions. In 1848, the civil and political rights of Jews were finally recognized in the Czech Republic. Their own urban settlement became one of the quarters of Prague, which was named after Joseph II, the Austrian emperor who significantly improved the life of Prague Jews with his reforms. The laws of Joseph II protected them from oppression of Christians and provided them with more rights.
Today, not much remains of the old Jewish quarter: 6 synagogues, the Jewish Town Hall and the Old Jewish Cemetery. They form a kind of open-air museum. All other old buildings were dismantled at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when large-scale slum clearance work was carried out. You can visit the sites from April 1 to October 31 (9:00 – 18:00); November 1 – March 31 (9:00 – 16:30) – daily (Saturday – closed).
The most valuable landmark of Josefov is the oldest Prague building in the early Gothic style (dating to the 13th century).
There is a hiding place in the park, and in the synagogue itself there is a hiding place where Torahs of sacred significance are kept - scrolls with the texts of 5 books written by Moses in Hebrew.
It was built thanks to the financial support of the head of the Jewish City and benefactor - Mordechai Maisel - at the end of the 16th century. The reconstruction of the facade took place in the 19th century. On the second floor, in the large Renaissance hall, there is an exhibition of popular textiles belonging to the State Jewish Museum.
It was also built at Maisel's expense in the 16th century. Today it is a Rococo building (after reconstruction in 1763) with a tower on which hangs a large clock with the Hebrew alphabet on the dial.
Erected in 1694 (style - Baroque). An exhibition of rare handwritten books in Hebrew is located in its main hall.
On Tue. half of the 15th century originally was the home chapel of the Gorzhovsky-Horowitz family. After World War II, a memorial was organized here to the 77,297 Czech and Moravian Jews who died in concentration camps.
Another synagogue built with the funding of elder Mordechai Meisel -. Before the reconstruction of 1905, its style can be defined as Renaissance, after – neo-Gothic. The interior contains a unique collection of silver items collected from all Czech synagogues.
Speaking about the Josefov quarter, one cannot fail to mention one of the world's most remarkable Jewish cemeteries. The age of the oldest burial is 574. Here you can also find more ancient tombstones in the Gothic style, which were moved when the cemetery was opened from the older one in the New Town. The last grave in the Old Jewish Cemetery was dug in 1787. The bizarre jumble of 12,000 headstones, old graves and dirt arose here as old burials were buried to make room for new ones. Later tombstones are made of white or pink marble, whereas originally they were made of plain sandstone. It is worth noting that some important historical and outstanding figures are buried in this cemetery, including Yehuda ben Betzalel (nicknamed “The Lion”), who died in 1609, but managed to create the Golem - an artificial man. Graves famous people can be found thanks to plaques with their names and a brief summary of their lives and achievements.
Review article about the sights of the Old Town and the Jewish Quarter in Prague. We give useful tips and information: what to visit, opening hours, prices, addresses.
Old city and the Jewish Quarter in Prague smoothly flow into each other, although the ghetto was once fenced off with a wall. We recommend visiting them together to feel the difference.
Old Town
The Old Town is located around the Old Town Square - the most visited in Prague. Let's say right away that we didn't like it at all. There is no authenticity: a lot of tourists, expensive establishments and vulgar souvenir shops. The houses are fresh. Below we list what caught our attention.
Old Town Square
The square is usually the first place tourists visit in Prague. Most excursions start from here. The square contains many attractions, so we wrote a separate article about it.
Charles Bridge (Karlův most)
The bridge is worth visiting at dawn only if you don’t want to get caught in the market crowd. There are would-be artists and would-be musicians standing on the bridge. They say there are also few tourists late in the evening - we didn’t check.
Square of the Crusaders near Charles Bridge (Křižovnické náměstí)
The ensemble of the square in the evening is amazingly beautiful: the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Cathedral of St. Salvador and the Old Town Bridge Tower. A rare place in Prague where you stop paying attention to the milling tourists and really enjoy the beauty of the buildings.
Powder Tower (Prašná brána)
The 15th-century Gothic gate on Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky) stands out from the surrounding houses. There is an observation deck, it costs 100 CZK. Address: nám. Republiky 5.
Tours of the Old Town
We believe that Prague is one of those cities where without knowledge of history, legends and secrets it becomes boring. In order not to be disappointed in the city, take a thematic tour of the Old Town - for example, “The Magic and Mysticism of Prague” or “Walking Tour of the Right Bank of Prague”.
Old Town of Prague on the map
Jewish Quarter in Prague (Josefov)
Josefov is a former Jewish ghetto. The quarter lives up to its name with the high cost of visiting attractions. However, it is surprisingly quiet and picturesque; it is pleasant to walk along it and look into the windows of expensive antique shops.
How to get to the Jewish Quarter in Prague? It is best to take the metro and get off at Staroměstská station, and then walk. You can also take trams No. 17 and No. 18 and get off at the stop of the same name.
Jewish Museum, Cemetery and Synagogues
A combo ticket costs CZK 330 and includes the Spanish, Maiselova, Pinkas and Klaus synagogues, the Ceremonial Hall, the cemetery and the temporary exhibition. Combo ticket for visiting all the attractions of the quarter - 550 CZK. Alas, you cannot purchase a separate ticket just to the museum or just to the cemetery! We weren't too interested in synagogues, so we didn't attend.
Opening hours: in winter from 9:00 to 16:30, in summer - until 18:00. Closed on Sundays and Jewish holidays. Check the holiday dates and opening hours on the official website.
Cathedral of St. Spirit and Kafka monument
Kostel Svateho Ducha is the only church in the Jewish Quarter. You can only get inside during the service. Nearby there is an unusual monument to Kafka.
The Jewish Quarter is a complex of Jewish culture of European significance, one of the most visited tourist places in Prague. Its appearance has been preserved since the 19th century, although there are older buildings.
Prague's Jewish Quarter or Josefov is located between the Vltava and Old Town Square. Modern Josefov is a prestigious area built up with respectable mansions. Its appearance has been preserved since the perestroika of 1893-1913, although there are buildings here from earlier eras.
History of the quarter
Until the middle of the 13th century. Prague Jews lived scatteredly, but by order of the authorities they were forced to leave their homes, settling in a separate quarter. In the 16th century, the quarter began to be called the “Prague Jewish ghetto.” The modern name appeared in 1850 - until that time the area was called the Jewish City.
Legend of the Golem
The legend of the Golem is associated with this quarter. The defender of the Jewish people, the legendary Rabbi Loew, following instructions from heaven, decided to create a giant to protect the Jews from the attacks of Christians. At night, by the light of torches, he sculpted a powerful creature from clay - a Golem. Death and destruction were created by a clay giant in the Christian quarters of Prague. The emperor turned to the rabbi with a request to pacify the rampant monster. He obeyed, but did not destroy his creation, but only immobilized it. They say that the sleeping Gollem still lies in the attic of the Old New Synagogue. It can come to life again and come out if the Jewish population of Prague is persecuted.
Map of attractions of the Jewish City in Prague
Old New Synagogue
The Old New Synagogue (Staronová synagoga) is the oldest in Prague. It has existed since the Middle Ages. Until now, this temple is the main religious center of all Prague Jews. Time has hardly changed its early Gothic appearance.
On main street Joseph's Quarter - , there is a sculpture of Moses, by F. Bilek. The bronze figure of the prophet personifies the Old Testament and concern for the good of humanity. The Nazis destroyed the statue and sent it to be melted down, but the plaster model was preserved. After the end of the war, the sculpture was restored.
High Synagogue
High Synagogue (Vysoká synagoga), photo alfred lex
The High or Town Hall Synagogue (Vysoká synagoga) was built in 1568. The building in the late Gothic style was designed by P. Roder. The prayer hall of the synagogue was located upstairs, on the second floor. Downstairs the council of the Jewish Town Hall and the court of rabbis met.
Jewish Town Hall
The Jewish Town Hall (Židovská radnice) stands at the intersection of Krasnaya (Červená) and (Maiselova) streets. The building acquired its present Rococo appearance after reconstruction at the end of the 18th century. The original Baroque interiors have been preserved inside. Now the town hall is closed to tourists - Jewish public organizations are based there. You can only go to the lower room of the kosher restaurant.
Sculpture of Rabbi Lev
Rabbi Yehuda Liva ben Bezalel (Rabbi Loew), a defender of the Jewish people, thinker and scientist, was immortalized by the sculptor Shalun. A statue depicting Rabbi Loew was installed in 1910 on the corner.
Maisel Synagogue
One of the most beautiful Jewish houses of worship in Prague is the Maiselova synagoga. After the reconstruction of the 19th century. the building acquired a neo-Gothic appearance. Now it is not used as a house of worship, but serves as a repository for exhibits of the Jewish Museum and a room for exhibitions.
Pinkas Synagogue
The small Pinkasova Synagoga has retained its Gothic and Renaissance features, although it suffered from floods many times and was reconstructed. Today it is a center of Jewish culture and a famous monument to the victims of the Holocaust.
Klaus Synagogue
The Klausová synagoga is located near the Old Jewish Cemetery. The appearance of the building has been preserved since 1880. The house of prayer houses permanent exhibitions of the State Jewish Museum.
Old Jewish Cemetery
The Old Jewish Cemetery is considered one of the world's most significant monuments of Jewish culture. Here are burials from the period 1439–1789. – only 12,000 tombstones. About 100 thousand dead are buried under them. Many graves belong to prominent figures of Jewish religion and culture.
Hall of farewell to the departed
Hall of farewell to the departed
Near the entrance to the cemetery (near the Klaus Synagogue) there is a ceremonial hall. Building from the beginning of the 20th century. built in neo-Romanesque style. In the Hall of Farewell to the Dead there is an exhibition where you can get acquainted with the mystery of Jewish funeral rituals.
Memorial plaque to Franz Kafka on the house where he was born
Memorial plaque to Franz Kafka
Franz Kafka was born in the Jewish ghetto. His old house on Maiselovaya Street was demolished. On the facade of the new building, erected after the reconstruction of the quarter, a memorial plaque by K. Gladik with a relief portrait of the writer was mounted.
Spanish synagogue
Spanish synagogue - a Moorish pearl in the capital of the Czech Republic
The Spanish Synagogue (Španělská synagoga) is the most beautiful in the Jewish Quarter of Prague. It was built in oriental style, in imitation of the Alhambra. The synagogue is operational, but it hosts exhibitions and organ concerts.
Monument to F. Kafka
Jerusalem Synagogue (Jeruzalémská synagoga)
The Jubilee or Jerusalem Synagogue (Jeruzalémská synagoga) is located outside Josefov. This is the largest Jewish house of prayer in Prague, with a capacity of 850 people. The building is stylized in the Moorish style. Regular services are held at the Jubilee Synagogue.
All Prague synagogues and the Jewish cemetery are united into the Jewish Museum complex.
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Many people think that Jews come home after work, open a shoebox and count their dollars; that only Jews ask their child not to read a book to him before going to bed, but to count dollars. The father comes, counts the dollars and the child falls asleep, but he falls asleep not in the process of counting, but when the father has counted and says: “Everything is in place, son.”.
I read so many books and jokes, watched films about Jewish communities in Europe, about persecution and the fate of people, but I really wanted to see how these people lived. Has anyone been to a real synagogue? We visited hundreds of Catholic churches in our travels, saw dozens of Buddhist temples and visited a large number of other relics, but have never been to the synagogue! It is for this reason that the Jewish Quarter in Prague simply had to be visited, and not just because it is one of the most visited attractions in the city. Inside: architecture, balconies, doors, streets, cars, prices and much more. Let's go!
How to get to the Jewish Quarter?
The Jewish Quarter is located in the Old Town of Prague and can be easily reached on foot from the Staroměstská metro station. See the map below for how to do this.
Where to buy tickets, their cost and museum opening hours?
Tickets can be purchased at the Jewish Museum of Prague at U Staré školy 1 Prague 1.
Opening hours of museums in the Jewish Quarter:
winter time: 9.00 - 16.30 hours.
summer time: 9.00 - 18.00 hours.
EXHIBITIONS ARE OPEN EVERY DAY EXCEPT SATURDAYS AND JEWISH HOLIDAYS.
Map of the main attractions of the Jewish Quarter
- Maisel Synagogue
- Pinkas Synagogue
- Old Jewish Cemetery
- Ceremonial hall
- Klaus Synagogue
- Spanish synagogue
How much do tickets and excursions to the Jewish Quarter of Prague cost?
ADMISSION TICKET
1. Jewish Museum in Prague
adults – 300 CZK
children 6–15 years old and students – 200 CZK
children under 6 years old – free
Family (2 adults, up to 4 children, children under 6 years old - free): adults: 300 CZK, each child: 150 CZK
The ticket is also valid for the Robert Guttmann Gallery.
2. Old New Synagogue
adults – 200 CZK
children 6–5 years old and students – 140 CZK
children under 6 years old – free
Family (2 adults, up to 4 children, children under 6 years old - free): adults: 200 CZK, each child: 100 CZK
The monument belongs to the Prague Jewish Community.
The ticket is also valid for the Jerusalem Synagogue
(only April – October 13.00 – 17.00).
3. Entrance tickets to all objects of the Jewish Museum in the Old Town – 20 CZK discount
adults – 480 CZK
children 6–15 years old, students – 320 CZK
children under 6 years old – free
Family (2 adults, up to 4 children, children under 6 years old - free): adults: 480 CZK, each child: 230 CZK
Entrance tickets to all sites can be purchased at all ticket offices of the Jewish Museum in Prague and in the gift shop opposite the entrance to the Old New Synagogue.
4. Preferential viewing of the Robert Guttmann Gallery expanded with a tour of the Spanish Synagogue
independent visitors:
adults: 70 CZK
children under 6 years old: free
children from 6 to 15 years old, students, pensioners: 50 CZK
5. Photography
(not video!) allowed only in the Old Jewish Cemetery – 50 CZK
CENTER FOR LEARNING AND CULTURE OF THE JEWISH MUSEUM IN PRAGUE
Maiselova 15, 110 00 Praha 1, 3rd floor
ROBERT GUTTMANN GALLERY
U Stare školy 3, 110 00 Prague 1
Tel: +420 221 511 553
Opening hours:
November – March 9.00 – 16.30
April – October 9.00 – 18.00
The gallery is open DAILY EXCEPT SATURDAYS AND JEWISH HOLIDAYS.
Admission ticket:
adults – 40 CZK
children 6–15 years old, students and pensioners – 20 CZK
children under 6 years old – free
JEWISH CEMETERY IN PRAGUE ZIZKOV QUARTER
Fibichova street, Prague 3
The cemetery is open every Monday, Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., EXCEPT JEWISH HOLIDAYS.
Entrance ticket – 50 CZK
LIBRARY OF THE JEWISH MUSEUM IN PRAGUE
Tel.: +420 222 749 211
e-mail: libraryjewishmuseum.cz
The library is open to the public: Tuesday from 9 am to 6 pm, Wednesday from 1 pm to 5 pm, Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm, EXCEPT JEWISH HOLIDAYS.
INFORMATION CENTER OF THE JEWISH MUSEUM IN PRAGUE
U Stare školy 1, 110 00 Prague 1
Tel: +420 222 749 262
Open: Monday - Friday 9.30 - 16.00, EXCEPT JEWISH HOLIDAYS.
The Jewish quarter of Josefov is located. This is the most famous, historical quarter of Prague.
Josefov is considered the smallest land cadastral unit in Prague (8.81 hectares) and is part of another district called .
Now just over 1,800 people live in this quarter. Josefov received its name in 1850; before that it was called the Jewish Town, and even earlier it was considered a Jewish ghetto. The Jewish city consisted of crooked buildings and narrow winding streets. By 1913, the city authorities demolished all the old houses and built beautiful buildings in their place. Some residents of Prague, including those, were against the demolition of ancient houses in Josefov, but, nevertheless, the reconstruction of the area took place, and modern buildings were built in place of the old houses.
They wanted to make the main street in Josefov similar to the Champs Elysees - just as wide and comfortable, stretching across the entire block. But Prague residents, worried about the lost medieval flavor, resisted, and the street turned out to be shorter. Residents of Prague could not get used to the new look of the area for a long time and at first were not too keen on settling here. Now Parizhskaya Street, with its luxurious houses decorated with lace stucco, with chestnut trees growing along the roads, is considered the most fashionable.
In Josefov, despite its small area, in addition to small shops there are large shopping centers comfortable hotels and many cafes and restaurants.
Real estate in this quarter is considered the most prestigious and expensive.
The city authorities have put a lot of effort into preserving the historical buildings. Several cultural monuments have survived to this day in the Josefov area.
The area's attractions include:
Now all the synagogues are united into one museum. It is also called "". Entrance to the museum is paid; the museum is closed on Saturdays and religious holidays. Josefov can be explored in a day. To study it better, it is advisable to spend more time. Josefov is now the most popular place not only among tourists, but also among Prague residents.
Josefov district center on the map