2026, July 13 - August 1906: The Czech lands form part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Prague—still somewhat provincial at the time—seeks to rival the great capitals of Europe. An ambitious redevelopment plan envisages a fundamental transformation of the medieval city into the “Paris of the East”. One district stands in the way: Josefov.

In the former Jewish Quarter, demolition and construction proceed side by side, and the tangible traces of 800 years of Jewish history begin to disappear. Not only sheds and substandard dwellings of the impoverished quarter are lost, but also synagogues and prayer houses. It is precisely this urban renewal of the Jewish Quarter that provides the impetus for establishing an institution intended to preserve the remaining artefacts and monuments of Jewish history—an institution that this year celebrates its 120th anniversary.

At the beginning stood a powerful idea, shared by several determined members of the Prague Jewish community, led by the historian Salomon Hugo Lieben. They resolved to found the Society for the Establishment and Maintenance of the Jewish Museum in Prague. The society’s bilingual statutes (in Czech and German) were approved by the Lieutenancy of the Kingdom of Bohemia—the highest authority of the Austro-Hungarian state administration in the territory of the Bohemian Kingdom between 1850 and 1918—on 29 August 1906.

We extend our gratitude to all those who came before us for their perseverance and courage.