What to Do in Jewish Quarter Prague
If you have plans to visit Prague and need to delve into the rich history and culture of the city, than a Jewish Quarter should be right at the top of your main destinations to see. Also called Josefov, this district is a curious one with a potent link to Prague’s Jewish heritage. In this blog post we will take you on a tour of must-see sights and things to do in Jewish Quarter and help you to make most of it.
1. Visit the Jewish Museum
Begin your journey by learning from Jewish history and culture at the Jewish Museum. Actually, it is not exactly a museum but a collection of six separate localities in the Jewish Quarter. These sites include synagogues and a cemetery, the Ceremonial Hall, among others.
Sites to Explore:
The Pinkas Synagogue : Within its walls, you will find a poignant memorial to the Holocaust victims with the names and ages of over 77,000 Czech and Moravian Jews who were killed during WW2.
The Maisel Synagogue: Explore a collection of Jewish artifacts and religious silverware from different periods in time.
The Spanish Synagogue: View the beautiful example of Moorish Revival architecture and go through the display on Jewish customs and customs.
The Old Jewish Cemetery: Stepping through the 15th century graved pits, of an estimated 12,000 or more visible tomb stones and probably 100,000 interred individuals.
2. Explore the Jewish Town Hall
The Jewish Town Hall is definitely worth seeing and located in the Jewish Quarter. This old building suits the Jewish Council Chamber, which was once the focal point in Jewish community affairs.
Don’t forget to ascend to the tower’s summit to enjoy panoramic views of the city of Prague. Inside the building is a small museum which will offer you more information about Jewish life in Prague.
3. Explore Street and Uncover Synagogues
Aside from the big sites, the Jewish Quarter is a rabbit of narrow streets and hidden synagogues yet to be found. While discovering it charming streets, you will come up on some less ubiquitous but no less impressive synagogues, such as the Klausen Synagogue, the High Synagogue, and the old-new Synagogue.
Quick Tip:
Think about scheduling a guided tour in order to comprehend far more fully the historical and cultural importance of the synagogues and their styles & architecture.
4. Enjoy Kosher Delicacies
Dispose of your sightseeing for a while and treat yourself to some tasty kosher food. The Jewish Quarter has numerous restaurants and bakeries of kosher cuisine, where one may taste genuine Jewish dishes.
Do not miss the chance to taste medieval classics such as matzo ball soup, gefilte fish and rugelach. Foodie or into Jewish culinary heritage, this is a fun experience you don’t want to miss.
5. Listen to a Show or Cultural Activity
The public life has been vibrant with concerts, exhibitions and festivals that regularly occur in the Jewish Quarter. Check the schedule to see if an event fits into your trip so you can see Jewish music, dance and art in a personal or even a more private way.
Do not miss the Prague Jewish Music Festival and the Jewish Quarter’s own Jewish Book Festival to get a taste of the local culture.
Conclusion
The Jewish Quarter in Prague is an Underground licensed item gem of Jewish history, Jewish culture and local customs. From looking at the Jewish Museum and synagogues to sampling traditional cuisine and events of the cultures, there is so much to look at and do. Make an effort to get there ahead of time for the best experience in this fascinating neighborhood.
Prague’s old Jewish quarter is strong proof of community’s endurance and heritage By investing a visit, you are helping in keeping alive this important piece of history and keeping its tales to motivate generations to perhaps come.
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