Josefov

Overview

Josefov is Prague's historic Jewish quarter, a compact area of synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery, and Art Nouveau apartment buildings. Once a walled ghetto, it was largely demolished in the 1890s slum clearance but the key religious sites survived.

Highlights

• Old Jewish Cemetery: 12,000 tombstones crowded over 12 layers spanning 350 years.
• Old-New Synagogue: Europe's oldest active synagogue (c. 1270).
• Pařížská Street: The grand Art Nouveau boulevard that replaced the demolished ghetto streets.

History

Jews settled in Prague from the 10th century. The ghetto was established in the 13th century and dissolved in 1850 when Jews gained civil rights. The 1890s 'sanitation' demolished most buildings but spared the synagogues.

Visitor Tips

• Jewish Museum ticket: Covers all synagogues and the cemetery; allow 2–3 hours.
• Closed Saturdays: All sites observe Shabbat.
• Duration: 2–3 hours.