Old New Synagogue, Prague, Czech Republic

The Old New Synagogue (Staronová synagoga) situated in Josefov, Prague, is Europe's oldest active synagogue. It is also the oldest surviving medieval synagogue of twin-nave design. Completed in 1270 in gothic style, it was one of Prague's first gothic buildings.

An unusual feature found in the nave of this synagogue is a large red flag near the west pillar. In the centre of the flag is a Star of David and in the centre of the star is a hat in the style typically worn by Jews of the 15th century. Both the hat and star are stitched in gold. Also stitched in gold is the text of Shema Yisrael. Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor awarded the Jewish community their own banner in recognition for their services in the defence of Prague during the Thirty Years War. The banner now on display is a modern reproduction.

It is said that the body of Golem (created by Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel) lies in the attic where the genizah of Prague's community is kept. A legend is told of a Nazi agent during World War II broaching the genizah, but who perished instead. In the event, the Gestapo apparently did not enter the attic during the war, and the building was spared during the Nazis' destruction of synagogues. The lowest three meters of the stairs leading to the attic from the outside have been removed and the attic is not open to the general public.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Dmitry Belenky, MA, LMHC (5 months ago)
Amazing history. If you’re Jewish go for services on Shabbat, very spiritual and meaningful to be at the place where the Meharel of Prague was at.

chaim greenfield (2 years ago)
Not included in the 4 synagogue tour, you will need a seperate overpriced ticket to enter. Not so exciting on the inside

Giuseppe Maria Ardizzone (2 years ago)
One of the oldest Sinagogues in Europe.

Maks W (2 years ago)
One of the oldest synagogues in Europe and it looks like it. The way how tickets work and how they are bundled is not customer friendly. Also you can get cheaper ticket to Jerusalem synagogue with ticket to the old-new synagogue - useful information if you want to see something more impressive.

Anna (2 years ago)
I don’t like the fact that you have to pay to go inside. That’s the case of lots of monuments in Prague. To my opinion this is wrong especially when it comes to religious structures. Otherwise the building looks great.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright discopalace

Historic Site of the week

Sigmaringen Castle

Sigmaringen Castle was first mentioned in the year 1077 in the chronicles of Petershausen monastery. The oldest parts of the castle are concealed beneath the alterations made during the 17th and the 19th centuries. The secret of the earliest settlement built on this defendable rock will never be fully revealed: large-scale excavation work would be necessary, which the extensive land development renders impossible. Judging from the many Roman remains unearthed in the area around Sigmaringen, the 12th century keep known as the 'Roman Tower' could be traced back to a Roman predecessor.

The castle remains that have been preserved (gate, great hall and keep) date back to the Staufer period around 1200. The castle remains were integrated into subsequent buildings. The foundations of the castle buildings are to a large extent identical to the surrounding castle wall.

These remains give us a good idea of how the castle might have looked during the 12th century.

Old New Synagogue

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Sigmaringen Castle