What`s included
- Private licensed tour guide
- Organizational support
- Recommendations and guidance
What`s not included
- Any entrance fees
- Food and drinks
- Entry/Admission
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Join a fascinating tour of Prague’s Jewish Quarter, where you will discover the rich history and cultural heritage that remains at the heart of the city. Stroll through the narrow streets, visit the famous synagogues and cemeteries, and learn about the tragic and inspiring events the neighbourhood has experienced. Our guide will immerse you in the world of Jewish Prague, tell you about its legends and give you a unique opportunity to touch its historical heritage.
Starting Point: Prague Astronomical Clock
Address: Staroměstské nám. 1, 110 00 Josefov
Our tour starts in the heart of Prague – in Old Town Square, where Jewish merchants and craftsmen once started their journey. Here, among the majestic buildings, the spirit of the Middle Ages lives on, and the shadows of the past intersect with the hustle and bustle of the modern city. We will immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of an ancient neighbourhood that was once a separate world with its own rules, traditions and amazing destiny. Walking through the winding streets, we will find ourselves in one of the most mystical and mysterious districts of Prague – the Jewish quarter of Josefov, which preserves the memory of glorious times, tragedies and incredible fortitude of its inhabitants.
Next we will see the Old Synagogue, the oldest Jewish religious building in Central Europe, which has preserved its original appearance since the 13th century. It is not just a religious building – it is a place steeped in legends and secrets. According to legend, hidden within its walls is the Golem of Prague, a clay creature created by the great Rabbi Levi to protect the community. Many believe that it still rests in the attic of the synagogue, waiting for the moment when its people will need it again. You will learn how this building was built, why it got such an unusual name and what symbols are hidden in its architecture.
The next point of our route will be the Maizelova Synagogue, a building that today is part of the Jewish Museum and tells us about the life of the Jewish community in different times. This synagogue once belonged to the richest Jew in Prague, Mordechai Maisel, who was the chief financier of Rudolf II. It was thanks to his influence that the Jewish quarter experienced a period of prosperity: new buildings were built, roads were improved and schools were opened. However, the fate of the synagogue was not easy – during the Second World War it became a place of storage of confiscated valuables taken away from Jewish families. Today here you can see unique exhibits telling about traditions, life and art of the Jewish people.
Continuing on our way, we will stop at the Pinkas Synagogue, one of the most touching places in the Jewish Quarter. This is not just a synagogue – it is a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. More than 77,000 names of Czech and Moravian Jews who perished in concentration camps are carved on the walls of the building. We will tell you unusual stories about the people whose names are engraved here forever, the fate of families who disappeared in the flames of war, and how their memories have been restored over the years. The exhibition of children’s drawings from the Terezin concentration camp – naive but hopeful images created by young prisoners before they were sent to the infamous Auschwitz – makes a special impression.
We will then head towards the Spanish Synagogue, a true architectural masterpiece. Its interior is striking with bright and colourful ornaments, luxurious designs in the Moorish style inspired by the famous Alhambra Palace in Spain. It is the newest synagogue in the Jewish Quarter, built in the 19th century, but it stands on the site of the even older ‘Old School’. Why was the Moorish style chosen for its construction? What links it to the Habsburg era? What role did it play in the history of Czech Jewry? We will tell you unusual facts and secrets that this magnificent building hides.
Walking around the neighbourhood, we will stop at the Jewish Town Hall, an ancient building with a clock that goes in the opposite direction – from right to left, as is customary in Jewish tradition. This house is a symbol of the autonomy of the Jewish community in Prague, and for centuries it has served as an administrative centre and a place where important decisions were made. Judges sat here, laws were debated and a kosher butcher’s shop operated on the ground floor. Hidden inside the Town Hall are unusual facts and ancient manuscripts that record the most important events in the life of Prague’s Jews.
Our path will lead us to one of the most mystical and mysterious places in the capital – the Old Jewish Cemetery. This cemetery is a unique historical monument, as it was used from the 15th to the 18th century, and there are about 12,000 tombstones arranged in several layers. Walking along its narrow paths, you will feel the breath of centuries, see the graves of famous rabbis and philosophers, and learn what unusual traditions and rituals are associated with this place. We will pay special attention to the grave of the famous Rabbi Löw, a man whose name is inextricably linked to the legend of the Golem. It is said that if you leave a note on his grave with a request, it will definitely come true.
At the end of the tour we will discuss how this neighbourhood has changed over the centuries, what tragic events took place here, and how the Jewish community managed to preserve its culture, traditions and spirituality even in the most difficult times. You will learn how Jews live in Prague today, what holidays they celebrate, what dishes they prepare for Shabbat and why this neighbourhood, despite all the trials, remains alive and full of historical memory.
This walk will give you unforgettable impressions, will give you a deeper understanding of the culture and traditions of the Jewish people and will leave a trace in your soul that will not be erased by time. You will be able to make unique photos against the background of ancient buildings, feel the spirit of bygone eras and touch the history that still resounds in every stone of this amazing place.
Ready to uncover the secrets of the Jewish Quarter? Then come with us on this exciting journey!
Tour Itinerary
- Staronova Synagogue – the oldest synagogue in Central Europe, which has preserved its architectural form since the 13th century and is a symbol of Jewish spirituality in Prague.
- Maiselova Synagogue – a synagogue where the Nazis stored antique furniture confiscated from Jewish families during World War II and which now serves as a museum of Jewish history.
- Pinkasa Synagogue – The synagogue, now the Holocaust Memorial, is dedicated to the memory of those who perished in concentration camps and Nazi racial exterminations.
- Spanish Synagogue – a magnificent synagogue built in the Moorish style, modelled on the Alhambra, with stunning architecture and rich interiors.
- Jewish Town Hall – a historic building that has become an important symbol of the administrative power of the Jewish community, serving many cultural and religious functions over the centuries.
- The Jewish Cemetery is one of the most famous historical cemeteries in Europe, where many tombstones bear unique monuments and epitaphs telling the fate of the departed.
Total route distance: 1.7 kilometers
Total tour duration: Approximately 2 hours
Why Choose This Tour?
- Touch the centuries-old history of Jewish Prague with a visit to Central Europe’s oldest synagogue, the Staron Synagogue, and the historic Jewish Town Hall.
- Immerse yourself in the tragic and heroic pages of the past with the Pinkas Synagogue, a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, and the Maizelov Synagogue with an exhibition commemorating the fate of the Jewish community.
- Marvel at the architectural masterpieces and mysteries of the ancient cemetery as you explore the magnificent Spanish Moorish Synagogue and stroll among the unique tombstones of the Jewish Cemetery.
Discover the Jewish heart of Prague, filled with history, culture and legends – book your tour now!
Important Information
Maximum group size: Up to 7 people. For larger groups, pricing is calculated individually
Available languages: Russian, Czech, English, French