- Address: Maiselova 18, 110 01 Staré Město, Czech Republic
- Tel: +420 224 800 812
- Website: synagogue.cz
- Architectural style: Gothic architecture
- Opening: 1270
The Old-New Synagogue is the oldest such landmark in Europe, located in the Prague ghetto. Walking through Prague , you can not see this unique historical building. Be sure to visit this place, which contained many secrets.
general information
The Old Town Synagogue in Prague is unique, since it was not reconstructed from the moment of erection in 1270. The synagogue magically survived all the Jewish pogroms and fires. It has always been central to the Prague Jewish community. Today, the flow of people wanting to see the oldest attraction in Prague, every year only increases.
Architecture
Approaching the synagogue, you will see a rectangular brick structure, decorated with a wreath of Gothic pediments. The building has only 12 windows, each of which symbolizes the 12 tribes of Israel. On the north and south sides of 5 windows, on the west - 2. Timpan, decorated with stone vines, adorns the lobby on the south side.
What interesting things can you see in the Prague synagogue?
The interior of the Old Synagogue is smooth and harmonious, with majestic candelabra and stone benches. Many feel tremulous trembling while inside the synagogue. The sacred things stored within its walls have incredible energy:
- Entrance room. Here there are 2 ancient boxes, which served to collect taxes from all Jews of the Czech Republic .
- Scrolls of the Torah. The most memorable in this place is the ark of the covenant, which holds the sacred scrolls of the Torah.
- Levi's chair. The most mysterious piece of furniture is the chair of Rabbi Levi, the creator of an artificial man named Golem. The rabbi was so revered that his chair was not only stored, even no one had dared to sit down on him for more than 400 years.
- Standard. This is a big flag with the image of the star of David and the text glorifying Israel. But the main addition to it is a Jewish hat, a symbol of the Prague Jewish community from the 15th century.
- Interior decoration. Light the main hall of medieval bronze chandeliers. Numerous brass decorations fill the walls of the synagogue. Paul, according to tradition, is far below the general level as a sign of humility.
- The Statue of Moses. It is located in front of the synagogue. In 1905 a sculptor-symbolist Frantisek Bilek poured out a bronze statue and installed it in the courtyard of his house. Only in 1937 the statue was donated to the community and installed next to the synagogue. The Second World War destroyed the statue, but in 1947 it was rebuilt according to the plaster model, which was preserved by the sculptor's widow.
Legends of the Synagogue
Not only the historical value and ancient architecture call tourists to visit the Old-New Synagogue in Prague. Attract them and legends, which for hundreds of years surround this amazing place. The most fascinating of them:
- The legend of the stones. For centuries, legends have been told about the construction of a synagogue. The first says that the stones on which the foundation of the synagogue was laid were brought by angels from the destroyed Temple of Jerusalem, provided that the Jews return them when the Temple is rebuilt. Another legend claims that the Prague synagogue was built from all the stones of the Temple in Jerusalem.
- The Legend of the Golem. This is a mystical story about the man whom Rabbi Levi allegedly created from clay to protect the Jews. It is believed that his body is kept in the attic of the synagogue. There is a story about a Nazi soldier who went to the attic and was killed by Golem. After this incident, the door to the attic was immured and the staircase was removed.
- The legend of the attic. This mysterious place is touched by yet another legend. In the XVIII century. Chief Rabbi of Prague Ezechiel Landau visited the attic. Before that, he passed the rite of purification, incessantly and prayed a lot. He stayed there only a couple of minutes, but when he came back and trembling with fear, he forbade climbing again ever again and to anyone.
Features of visit
At the entrance to the Old-New Synagogue, a man is put on a head with a kip, women cover their heads with a handkerchief. Visit the synagogue is possible on the following schedule:
- April - October from 09:00 to 18:00;
- November - March from 09:00 to 17:00;
- closed - on Jewish holidays and Saturdays;
- entrance costs $ 9.3, children under 6 years free.
How to get there?
It will not be difficult to get to the synagogue. The most convenient ways:
- metro along the green branch A, get off at the station Staroměstská. Pass through literally 200 m;
- trams number 17 and 53, get off at the stop of Právnická fakulta.