The Burial Society Ceremonial Hall

In the heart of Josefov (Prague's Jewish Quarter), on the grounds of the Old Jewish Cemetery, stands a picturesque ceremonial hall – a building that at first glance resembles an early medieval house. In fact, it was built between 1906 and 1908 to designs by the architects Jan Gerstl and Alois Gabriel. Behind its Neo-Romanesque façade took place the most intimate ritual of Jewish life: Tahara, the ritual purification of the deceased for burial.

Architecture and noteworthy facts

From the outside, the ceremonial hall draws attention with its historicist appearance; inside, however, it tells a story of care and dignity. The basement once housed a mortuary, from which funeral processions departed for the New Jewish Cemetery. Interestingly, the building was equipped with one of the first technical elevators in Prague.

From ceremonies to museum

In 1926, the Prague Burial Society (Hevra Kadisha) leased the building to the Jewish Museum, which opened its first exhibition here. From 1997 to 2024, the hall hosted an exhibition dedicated to Jewish burial customs.. Today, the building is undergoing reconstruction with a view to restoring its original form. It will also feature new exhibitions that highlight not only the inspiring role of the burial society within Jewish culture, but also Prague’s urban renewal, which fundamentally transformed Josefov and the city of Prague as a whole.

Hevra Kadisha – The Holy Brotherhood

Hevra Kadisha (Aramaic חברה קדישא, “Holy Brotherhood” – or, in its full form, Hevra Kadisha Gomlei Hasadim (Aramaic: Hevra Kadisha Gomlei Hasadim (Aramaic: חברה קדישא דגומלי חסדים, “Holy Brotherhood of Those Who Perform Charitable Deeds”), was responsible for visiting the sick, caring for the dying, purifying the body, and conducting the burial.
The Prague Hevra Kadisha was founded by Rabbi Eliezer Aškenazi in 1564, and the final version of its statutes was drawn up by Rabbi Loew. These statutes became a model for the majority of burial societies throughout Ashkenazi Europe.

Architect Jan Gerstl

Jan Gerstl was active at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. In addition to the ceremonial hall, his most renowned work is the building of Charles University’s Institute of Physics in the Albertov district (1905–1907) – a significant example of the academic architecture from this period.

Neo-Romanesque style

The Neo-Romanesque style drew inspiration from Romanesque architecture of the 11th and 12th centuries. Its typical features include:

• Massive forms and thick walls

• Semicircular arches above windows and doors

• Decorative arcades and columns

• More restrained ornamentation in comparison with Neo-Gothic

In Prague, the Burial Society Ceremonial Hall represents a characteristic example of this architectural style.

Where to find us

U Starého hřbitova 3a , 110 00 Praha 1

Frequently asked questions