Prague’s Jewish Quarter (“Židovské město” in Czech) is one of the most impressive places in the capital of the Czech Republic. Josefov, as the quarter is officially named, is at the same time beautiful and wrathful, due to its complicated history. It used to be the largest Jewish ghetto in Europe, and its Old Jewish Cemetery is the most remarkable of its kind on the continent.

Many cities used to have – or still have – the so called “Jewish quarters”, where the Jewish minority lived. Apart from Prague, we can for example name Jerusalem, Seville, or New York. Those quarters were quite often in the form of ghettos. The Jewish quarter of Prague, since 1992 listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is definitely one of the most significant ones and if you are visiting Prague, you should definitely see it. Not only as a reminder of a tragic part of the world’s history but also for its undeniable beauty and charm.

The Turbulent History of Josefov

The Prague Jewish Quarter (“Josefov”) used to be called “Jewish Town” until 1850, and its history is very long and dramatic. It is named after the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II (“Josef II.” in Czech), who emancipated the Jewish population, making the Jews citizens with equal rights. Before that, the quarter had been called “Jewish ghetto”.

Historically, the quarter was mentioned as “Jewish” for the first time in 1096, and was founded after other Jewish settlements were destroyed during a pogrom. Since 1215, when the Fourth Council of the Lateran ordered segregation of the Jews from the Christian population, the quarter took on the character of a ghetto. In 1389 there was yet another pogrom, during which a great part of the ghetto’s inhabitants were killed, and several more took place in the 15th and 16th century when the Jews were repeatedly banished from the country.

During World War II, the Jews were first obliged to wear the yellow Star of David visibly on their clothes and then deported to the concentration camps, where the tragic and monstrous Holocaust took place. The deserted Jewish Quarter became a storage space for their confiscated property. Since a lot of property stayed in the hands of the Jewish Quarter after the war (because the original owners were murdered in the concentration camps), the Jewish museum became the second biggest in the world.

The number of Jewish Quarter residents started to drop again since the half of the last century due to business use of the quarter and foreign travel expansion. This trend became even more significant after the Velvet revolution and by the end of 2013 there were only around 1400 residents.

The Legend of the Golem of Prague

Rabbi Loew once met the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph II, a lover of alchemy, and that is probably where the legend of the Golem stems from. In Jewish folklore a Golem is a statue brought to life by a human. As the legend tells, Rabbi Loew created his famous Golem (which he called Josille) out of clay and made it alive by inserting a roll (“shem”) in its forehead. The Golem was supposed to protect the Jewish ghetto from the Christians, who attacked it often.

The Golem was getting stronger and stronger each day, so Rabbi Loew had to take out his power (shem) from time to time to weaken him. One day he forgot to take out Golem’s shem, and Golem was overpowered and couldn’t handle himself. He went out to the streets and started crushing everything. Eventually, the Rabbi found the Golem, told him to stop, and ordered him to take a rest in the attic of the Old-New Synagogue.

Rabbi Loew then went to the sleeping Golem and said the magical formula backwards. The Golem started to crumble until there remained only dust, and from then it was forbidden to visit the attic for many decades. The first person to enter the attic was Rabbi Landau in the 18th century. He came back all shaking and pale, and again forbid anyone else to enter the attic. Golem’s relics were never found until today.

Must-see sites in the Jewish Quarter

Old Jewish Cemetery

The Old Jewish Cemetery is the most remarkable of its kind in Europe, and was in operation from the first half of the 15th century till the second half of the 18th century. At the cemetery, which was in 1995 proclaimed a National cultural heritage, you can find almost 12,000 gravestones (and the number of graves is even higher).

There is a significant number of important Jewish people buried there. These include the chief Rabbi of Prague David Oppenheim, and the Jewish teacher, mystic, philosopher (and according to legend the creator of The Golem of Prague) Judah Loew ben Bezalell, known as Rabbi Loew.

The Jewish Quarter Synagogues

Synagogues were the most important places in the Jewish ghetto. They used to serve not only sacral purposes, but they were also the place where Jewish teachers would meet their students. What’s more, until the Prague Jewish Quarter got its own city hall, all public matters used to be solved there.

The Spanish Synagogue and the Old-New Synagogue are the most famous ones. The Spanish Synagogue, which got the name for its impressive Moorish interior design, is the most recent one, built in 1868. The Old-New Synagogue is, on the other hand, the oldest active synagogue in Europe. It was built in 1270 in the Gothic style – one of the first Gothic buildings in Prague.

Also the Maisel Synagogue (from 1592), The Pinkas Synagogue (1535) and – the biggest one – The Klausen Synagogue (from 1694), are located in the Prague Jewish Quarter and should not be missed when you are visiting the Czech Republic´s capital.

Jewish Museum in Prague

The Jewish museum in Prague, one of the oldest Jewish museums in Europe, is very unique. It is the most complex institution of its kind, including among other things four historical synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery, its own gallery, archive and library, an educational centre and a Ceremonial Hall with very rare expositions under its jurisdiction. There are many exhibitions that take place there, including temporary and travelling ones. The Jewish Museum of Prague also hosts a lot of cultural and educational events.

Franz Kafka Monument

The monument of Franz Kafka, the famous writer, who was born into a German-speaking Jewish family in Prague, is located next to the Spanish Synagogue. The statue was unveiled in 2003 and its design was inspired by one of Kafka’s short stories (“Description of a Match“). The sculptor Jaroslav Róna created the statue out of bronze and it is 375 centimetres tall and weighs 800 kilograms.

Why you shouldn’t miss Prague’s Jewish Quarter

Prague’s Jewish Quarter is more than just a collection of historical buildings – it’s a powerful reflection of the city’s multicultural past and a solemn reminder of the resilience of the Jewish community. Walking through Josefov means stepping into centuries of history, culture, and legend, from the haunting gravestones of the Old Jewish Cemetery to the beautifully preserved synagogues and the tale of the mysterious Golem. Whether you’re a history lover, architecture enthusiast, or simply curious about Prague’s heritage, a visit to the Jewish Quarter offers a deeply enriching and unforgettable experience.

5 Tips for Visiting Prague’s Jewish Quarter

1. Start early in the day – To see all major sites (synagogues, cemetery, museum), give yourself 2–3 hours, especially if you're visiting in peak season.
2. Buy a combined ticket online – The Prague Jewish Quarter ticket includes access to all museum sites. The Old-New Synagogue requires a separate ticket.
3. Respect the solemnity – The area, especially the Old Jewish Cemetery and Holocaust memorials, is sacred. Wear respectful clothing, and maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor.
4. Consider a guided tour – A tour can provide deeper insight into the district’s history, legends, and architectural details that are easy to miss on your own.
5. Plan around Jewish holidays – The sites are closed on Saturdays (Shabbat) and Jewish holidays. Check opening times before your visit.