Top Things to See at the Jewish Museum in Prague

The Jewish Museum in Prague is not a single building, but a collection of historic sites across the Jewish Quarter. Visitors can enter the Old-New Synagogue, walk among the gravestones of the Old Jewish Cemetery, read the names of Holocaust victims in the Pinkas Synagogue, and admire the richly decorated Spanish Synagogue. Together with exhibitions in the Maisel and Klausen Synagogues and the Ceremonial Hall, these places reveal both famous highlights and lesser-known aspects of Jewish life in Prague.

For History and Memory

Pinkas Synagogue – Memorial to the Holocaust

The Pinkas Synagogue is one of the most powerful memorial sites in the Czech Republic. Its walls are covered with the handwritten names of nearly 80,000 Jewish victims from Bohemia and Moravia who were murdered during the Holocaust. The space is intentionally restrained, allowing visitors to focus on remembrance rather than spectacle. Upstairs, children’s drawings from the Terezín ghetto add a deeply personal dimension.

Old Jewish Cemetery

Used from the early 15th century until 1787, the Old Jewish Cemetery is among the oldest and most important Jewish burial grounds in Europe. Thousands of tombstones stand in dense layers, reflecting centuries of community life. Many significant figures are buried here, including Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, the Maharal of Prague.

For Architecture and Sacred Space

Old-New Synagogue 

Built in the late 13th century, the Old-New Synagogue is the oldest active synagogue in Europe. Its Gothic interior, stone benches, and medieval vaults preserve a rare sense of continuity. The synagogue remains a place of worship and is also connected by legend to the story of the Golem of Prague.

Spanish Synagogue

The Spanish Synagogue is one of the most visually striking buildings in Prague. Designed in the Moorish Revival style, its richly ornamented interior houses exhibitions on modern Jewish history in the Czech lands, as well as Jewish music and cultural life from the 19th century to the present.

For Daily Life, Ritual, and Tradition

Klausen Synagogue

Once the largest synagogue in the Jewish Town, the Klausen Synagogue now presents exhibitions focused on Jewish customs, festivals, and life-cycle rituals. Visitors gain insight into everyday religious practice, education, and the rhythms of family and communal life.

Ceremonial Hall (Obřadní síň)

Located beside the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Ceremonial Hall introduces Jewish burial traditions and the work of the Burial Brotherhood (Chevra kadiša). The exhibition explains rituals surrounding death and mourning, rooted in the belief that no one should ever be left alone.

For Art, Objects, and Learning

Maisel Synagogue

Founded in the late 16th century by Mordecai Maisel, a leading figure of the Prague Jewish community, the Maisel Synagogue presents the history of Jews in Bohemia and Moravia from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment. Exhibits include Torah ornaments, manuscripts, and ceremonial objects that combine religious meaning with artistic craftsmanship.

Visiting at Your Own Pace

One of the advantages of the Jewish Museum in Prague is the opportunity for a slower, more thoughtful visit. A single ticket is valid for three days, allowing visitors to return to individual sites, combine emotionally demanding spaces with quieter ones, and explore according to personal interests rather than a fixed route.

Why the Jewish Museum in Prague Is Unique

The museum preserves Jewish history in the very places where it unfolded. Its synagogues are authentic historic buildings, its cemetery is a real burial ground, and its exhibitions are closely tied to lived experience. Together, these sites form a living archive of Jewish presence in Prague — expressed through architecture, objects, memory, and silence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Jewish Museum one building or several sites?
It consists of several historic buildings across the Jewish Quarter, including synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery, and the Ceremonial Hall.

How long should I plan for a visit?
Most visitors spend 2–3 hours, though many spread their visit over more than one day.

Is the ticket valid for more than one day?
Yes. The standard ticket is valid for three days.

Is the Old-New Synagogue included?
The Old-New Synagogue has a separate entrance and ticket, as it remains an active house of prayer.

Is the museum suitable for children?
Yes, although some exhibitions — particularly those related to the Holocaust — may require sensitive guidance.

Sources

• PRAGUE - JewishEncyclopedia.com

• Jewish Museum in Prague | Exhibitions, Tours & Monuments

• Bohemia, Czech Republic

Author

This article was prepared by the team at the Jewish Museum in Prague, which has been preserving Jewish heritage since 1906. The museum holds one of the most extensive collections of Judaica in the world outside of Israel. Through exhibitions, publications, and educational programs, our mission is to promote understanding of Jewish history, culture, and traditions — both in the Czech Republic and globally.