| The Jewish Quarter (Josefov) in Prague is located between Old Town Square and the Vltava River, and is an integral part of the city. Although there is evidence of settlement in the 10th century, the turbulent history of the former Jewish Ghetto began in the 13th century, when Jewish people were ordered to vacate their disparate homes and settle in this one part of town. Over the centuries, with Jews banned from living elsewhere in Prague, and with new arrivals expelled from Moravia, Germany, Austria and Spain joining them, increasing numbers of people crowded into the area. To add to this, inhabitants of the ghetto had to endure structural changes enforced at the whim of the emperor or whichever ruler exercised control over them. The latest of these occurred in 1893-1913, when many buildings were flattened and the layout of the streets was remodelled, although fortunately most of the important buildings were saved from destruction.
In the 20th century, the Jewish Quarter buildings even survived Nazi occupation, because Adolf Hitler intended to preserve the area as a “Museum of an Extinct Race”. To this end, the Nazis plundered Jewish artefacts from other occupied territories in Central Europe and brought them to Prague to form part of the museum.
Today, the buildings of the Jewish Quarter remain a powerful testament to the history of the Jewish people in Prague and form the best-preserved complex of Jewish monuments in Europe.
The Jewish Quarter contains six synagogues, including the Old-New Synagogue, Spanish Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue, and the Pinkas and Klausen synagogues; the Old Jewish Cemetery; the Jewish Ceremonial Hall; and the Artschul Gallery.
The most important historic sites in the Jewish Quarter form part of the Jewish Museum in Prague, all apart from the Old-New Synagogue, which is a separate entity. A Jewish Town Ticket gains you entry to all of them.
The Jewish Quarter is also the birthplace of the celebrated Jewish novelist Franz Kafka, who is commemorated with a statue on Dusni Street.
HOW TO VISIT THE JEWISH QUARTER
There is no charge to explore the cobbled streets of the Jewish Quarter and admire the historic buildings.
Jewish Town Ticket: Entry to the historic sites requires a Jewish Town Ticket. Allow at least 2-3 hours for your visit.
Purchase a Jewish Town Ticket on the day of your visit from the Jewish Museum Information Centre, located at Maiselova 15, Prague 1.
The sites are open year-round, Sunday to Friday (closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays).
Guided Tour (recommended): The best way to visit the Jewish Quarter is to take a Jewish Quarter Guided Tour (includes Jewish Town Ticket). This offers excellent value and a more informative experience compared to visiting the sites independently.
Tour availability is limited due to the small number of certified guides, booking in advance is strongly recommended.
Concert:
An alternative way to visit one of the Jewish Quarter's most impressive sites is to attend a concert at the Spanish Synagogue.
Other ways to explore the Jewish Quarter:
The following Prague city tours include a walk through the Jewish Quarter (with external views of the sites):
Old Town & Jewish Quarter Tour
Historical Centre Tour
Historical Centre & Castle Tour + Boat Trip
Prague Explorer Tour + Boat Trip
Prague City & Castle Tour + Boat Trip.
JEWISH QUARTER TODAY
The Jewish Quarter today is an area for both reflection and inspiration. While its synagogues, cemetery and cobbled streets preserve its remarkable architecture and the story of Jewish life through the centuries, it is also a place where people from around the world gather to dine, enjoy concerts, and look forward with hope.
TEREZIN CONCENTRATION CAMP
In World War II, thousands of Jewish people were deported from the Jewish Quarter to Terezín (Theresienstadt) Concentration Camp and Ghetto, located 60 km from Prague. The Terezín Tour, which departs from Prague, tells the story of this dark episode in human history.
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