The Old New Synagogue is called Staronová Synagog in Czech.
It stands in the Josefov district, the former Jewish quarter in Prague, in the immediate vicinity of the center on Old Town Square.
It was built around 1270 and is the oldest preserved synagogue in Europe.
It is still used for religious services, but is open to the public and can be visited from the inside.
What Can I Do at the Old New Synagogue?
Visit the Old New Synagogue
Since the Old New Synagogue is still actively used for worship today, there are no exhibitions in the synagogue, but the synagogue can be visited from the outside and inside, also as part of a guided tour.
Visit the Jewish Quarter
Combine your visit to the Old New Synagogue with a visit to the Jewish Quarter in Prague, where the Old New Synagogue is located.
Shopping in the Parizska
Since the Old New Synagogue is located directly on Parizska Street, a stroll along the most expensive and luxurious shopping street in Prague is a good idea afterwards. In the stores and boutiques in the Art Nouveau and Neo-Baroque houses you can find many luxury brands, such as Cartier, Dior, Gucci, Burberry, Hermes, Rolex, Prada, Boss, Armani, Louis Vuitton, and more. The numerous restaurants and cafés along the boulevard are also in the upper price range.
Admission, Tickets, and Guided Tours
- Tickets: Tickets can be purchased directly at the entrance of the Old New Synagogue or beforehand as part of a booked guided tour.
- Guided Tours: The synagogue is still actively used for worship. It is the only one of the synagogues in the Jewish Quarter not included in the Prague Jewish Museum. Although a separate entrance ticket is required, there are guided tours that include the Old New Synagogue.
- Admission: No security check or pre-registration is required to enter the synagogue as in other European cities.
How Do I Get to the Old New Synagogue?
The Old New Synagogue is located in the Jewish Quarter in the middle of Parizska Street, Paris Street.
It can be reached by public transport either by metro, line A, Green Line, Staroměstská stop or from the Old Town Square in about 10 minutes on foot.
History of the Old New Synagogue
The synagogue was built around 1270 in the early Gothic style. Over the course of time, the building has almost not changed at all. The early Gothic, massive, stone rectangular building has a high gable roof with large late Gothic gables. There are later additions on three sides, which were used as an anteroom and a gallery for women. The ancient interior decoration is also largely original. Noteworthy are the forged Gothic lattices and the chandelier.
Due to its solid construction and the fact that the synagogue was never connected to another building, but always stood isolated, it was able to withstand all the discontinuities of the centuries, including several large fires in the Jewish quarter.
There are several myths concerning its name, one of which says that during its construction, the remains of an even older synagogue were found, on the foundations of which the new synagogue was built.
Since the Nazis planned to turn the synagogue into a "Museum of the Exterminated Race", it was not destroyed during the occupation of Prague.
Legend has it that in its attic are the clay remains of a golem created by Rabbi Löw from dust and earth 400 years ago. As a silent servant, he protected the Jews, but when he became too powerful over time, Rabbi Löw turned him back into dust and clay in the attic of the Old New Synagogue. From then on, no one was allowed to enter the attic.
Today, the Old New Synagogue is the center of Prague's Jewish District and one of the three synagogues in Prague where services are held to this day.
Contact
- Address: Staronová Synagoga, Červená, 110 00 Prague 1
- Public Transport: Subway line A, green line,Staroměstská stop
- Opening Hours: For exact opening hours, please refer to the following website