Attraction
Prague Castle
The vast hilltop seat of Bohemian kings and Czech presidents, home to St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St George's Basilica and Golden Lane.
Jewish Museum in Prague
A museum founded in 1906 that cares for Josefov's historic synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery, telling the story of Jews in Bohemia and Moravia.
At a glance
- Type
- Jewish heritage museum and synagogues
- Area
- Josefov, Prague, Czech Republic
- Official site
- jewishmuseum.cz
Good to know
- Audio guides
- Visitor Centre
- Combined ticket
Why we recommend it
The Jewish Museum in Prague was founded in 1906, when the old Jewish ghetto was being cleared and its historians wanted to save objects from the synagogues being demolished. It survived the Nazi occupation, when objects from destroyed communities were brought here, and decades of state control under communism, before regaining its independence in 1994. Today it is one of the oldest Jewish museums in Europe and looks after a group of buildings in Josefov, the former Jewish Town just north of Old Town Square.
A single museum ticket covers the open sites. The Pinkas Synagogue is a memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust from Bohemia and Moravia, with their names written by hand across the walls, and upstairs an exhibition of drawings made by children in the Terezín ghetto. Next to it is the Old Jewish Cemetery, used from the 15th century until the late 18th, where thousands of tombstones lean against each other in layers. The Klausen Synagogue and the former Ceremonial Hall of the burial society deal with Jewish customs and traditions, the Maisel Synagogue covers the earlier history of the community, and the Moorish-style Spanish Synagogue, with its gilded interior, tells the story from emancipation to the 20th century.
The Old-New Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in Europe, is run by the Prague Jewish Community rather than the museum, and needs a separate or combined ticket. Tickets are sold at the Visitor Centre on Maiselova Street, at the ticket offices in several synagogues and online, and individual tickets are valid for three opening days, so you do not have to see everything at once. Audio guides are available at the ticket offices.
The museum is closed on Saturdays and on Jewish holidays, and closes earlier in winter than in summer, so check the opening calendar before you plan your day. Allow at least two to three hours to see the main sites properly. The cemetery paths are narrow and uneven. Photography for personal use is allowed without flash or tripods. The subject matter is moving and suits older children and adults best.
Josefov is a five-minute walk from Staroměstská metro station on line A. The Rudolfinum, Old Town Square and the Vltava embankment are all close by.
Jewish Museum in Prague FAQs
What does a Jewish Museum ticket include?
The basic museum ticket covers the open museum sites, including the Pinkas, Maisel, Klausen and Spanish synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery.
Is the Jewish Museum open on Saturdays?
No. The museum is closed every Saturday and on Jewish holidays.
Is the Old-New Synagogue part of the museum?
It is run by the Prague Jewish Community rather than the museum, so check whether your ticket includes it.
How long is the ticket valid?
Individual and family tickets are valid for three opening days, so you can spread your visit.
Where can I buy tickets?
Online through the museum's booking page, at the Visitor Centre at Maiselova 15, or at the ticket offices in the Spanish, Klausen, Pinkas and Maisel synagogues.
Can I take photographs?
Yes, for personal use and without flash, lights or tripods.
How long should I allow?
Two to three hours for the synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery.
How do I get there?
The museum is in Josefov, a short walk from Staroměstská metro station on line A.