Old-New Synagogue, Prague

The Old-New Synagogue in Prague. Photo Kevin Bovard.

The Old-New Synagogue and Jewish Town Hall. Photo Andrew3000.

Exterior of the Old-New Synagogue. Photo Larina.

Interior of the Old-New Synagogue. Photo Jim Milles.

Detail of the synagogue's small window. Photo Adrian Mars.

Closer view of the exterior. Photo Craig Elliott.

The Old-New Synagogue (Czech: Staronová synagóga; German: Alt-neu Schul) in the Jewish Quarter (Josefov) of Prague is Europe's oldest active synagogue and one of the earliest Gothic buildings. It is still active today.

History

Completed in 1270 in the Gothic style, the Old-New Synagogue was one of Prague's first Gothic buildings.

It was originally called the New or Great Shul to disntinguish it from a still older one, which was demolished in 1867. When newer synagogues were built in the 16th century, it became known as the Old-New Synagogue.

The Old-New Synagogue has withstood several pogroms (including a massive one in 1389 that killed 3,000 Jews), fires and the 19th-century redevelopment of the Jewish Quarter. According to legend, angels brought stones from King Solomon's Temple to build the synagogue, and those same angels still protect the synagogue.

The legend also says that one day, the synagogue will be dismantled to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. Until then, the synagogue exists At-Tnay, "on condition." An alternative explanation for the unusual name of the Old-New Synagogue is that it is a mistranslation of this Hebrew phrase At-Tnay.

The famous author Franz Kafka attended this synagogue when he lived in Prague and his bar mitzvah was held here. The only time the Old-New Synagogue has not been used as a house of worship was between 1941 and 1945, during the Nazi occupation.

What to See

The Old-New Synagogue is still an active center of worship for Prague's Jewish community. It is not part of the Jewish Museum and there are no museum displays inside. It is well worth a visit, however, for its Gothic architecture and historic importance.

The single-story synagogue consists of a central prayer hall for men, with the women's gallary surrounding it. The Old-New Synagogue is the oldest surviving example of the medieval twin-nave type of synagogue.

Above the bimah (prayer/reading area) hangs a remnant of a red flag with the Star of David, the Jewish symbol. In 1357, Charles IV, the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire at the time, allowed the Jews of Prague to have their own city flag.

The tattered red banner hanging next to the Jewish flag was a gift from Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III to the Jews for their help in stopping an invasion by the Swedes in 1648 at the end of the Thirty Years War.

On the east wall is the Ark which contains the Torah scrolls.

Quick Facts

Names:	Old-New Synagogue; Staronová synagóga; Alt-neu Schul
Type of site:	Synagogue
Date:	1270
Status:	Active
Address:	Cervená 2, Josefov (Jewish Quarter), Prague
Phone:	222-317-191
Metro:	Line A to Staromestská
Hours:	Sun-Thurs 9am-5pm; Fri 9am-4:30pm
Cost:	Admission 200Kc ($7.15) adults, 140Kc ($5) students. (If part of the package for Jewish Museum, 490Kc/$18 adults, 340Kc/$12 students.) Free for children under 6.
Etiquette:	Men must cover their heads inside the synagogue; paper kippahs are provided. Men and women sit apart during services.

Location Map

Below is a location map and aerial view of the Old-New Synagogue in Prague. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Prague Map or get our free Google Earth download.

Sources

Personal visit (February 2000).
Old-New Synagogue - A View on Cities
Old-New Synagogue (Staronová synagóga) - Frommers.com

The Old-New Synagogue in Prague - Scrapbook Pages
Staronová synagóga - Fodor's Online Travel Guide
Kafka's Prague - European Visits