Maisel Synagogue, Prague
Similar to the Jewish Town Hall, as well as the Klausen and High synagogues, the Maisel Synagogue was established and funded entirely by philanthropist Mordecai Maisel. Positioned slightly set back from the adjacent buildings along Maiselova Street, the synagogue once boasted unparalleled ornateness within Josefov and held the distinction of being Prague's first synagogue open to women. Originally designed in the Renaissance style, it suffered significant damage during the Great Fire of 1689, leading to its reconstruction with a Baroque fa莽ade, later replaced by the current neo-Gothic fa莽ade in the late 19th century.
Today, its unadorned, whitewashed interior hosts an exhibition chronicling the history of the Czech-Jewish community up to the 1781 Edict of Tolerance. Showcased within glass cabinets are precious gold and silverwork, Hanukkah candlesticks, Torah scrolls, and other religious artifacts. Visitors can also view examples of outdated ruffs worn by unmarried males from the age of twelve and a replica of Ferdinand I's decree mandating the circular yellow badge. In contrast, the most opulent items on display date back to the late 16th and early 17th centuries, a period of prosperity for Prague's Jewish community. It is worth noting the irony that many of the valuable artifacts showcased here were brought to Prague by the Nazis themselves, sourced from various other synagogues across Bohemia and Moravia.
Today, its unadorned, whitewashed interior hosts an exhibition chronicling the history of the Czech-Jewish community up to the 1781 Edict of Tolerance. Showcased within glass cabinets are precious gold and silverwork, Hanukkah candlesticks, Torah scrolls, and other religious artifacts. Visitors can also view examples of outdated ruffs worn by unmarried males from the age of twelve and a replica of Ferdinand I's decree mandating the circular yellow badge. In contrast, the most opulent items on display date back to the late 16th and early 17th centuries, a period of prosperity for Prague's Jewish community. It is worth noting the irony that many of the valuable artifacts showcased here were brought to Prague by the Nazis themselves, sourced from various other synagogues across Bohemia and Moravia.
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Maisel Synagogue on Map
Sight Name: Maisel Synagogue
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Prague, Czech Republic
Create Your Own Walk in Prague
Creating your own self-guided walk in Prague is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Lesser Town Walking Tour
Mala Strana (or "Lesser Town") is a district in Prague situated on the left bank of the Vltava River. Renowned for its architectural beauty, this is one of the capital's most historically significant neighborhoods. Back in the Middle Ages, it was predominantly populated by ethnic Germans and, in later years, despite the prevalence of Baroque in its architecture, largely retained its... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Old Town Souvenir Shopping
Strolling through the Old Town of Prague, souvenir shopping becomes a delightful adventure. Indeed, it would be a pity to leave Prague without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original and unique to the city.
One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Prague Introduction Walking Tour
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The Czech name Praha derives from an old Slavic word pr谩h, which means "ford" or "rapid", referring to the city's origin at a crossing point of the Vltava river. The legendary... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The Czech name Praha derives from an old Slavic word pr谩h, which means "ford" or "rapid", referring to the city's origin at a crossing point of the Vltava river. The legendary... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
The Star茅 M臎sto (Old Town) of Prague is a former medieval settlement that is now a lively cobblestoned hub with landmark attractions.
The area was once separated from the outside world by a semi-circular moat and a wall, hugged by the Vltava river. The moat is now covered up by streets, which form the official boundary of the Old Town. One of them, called Na P艡铆kop臎 (literally 鈥淥n the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
The area was once separated from the outside world by a semi-circular moat and a wall, hugged by the Vltava river. The moat is now covered up by streets, which form the official boundary of the Old Town. One of them, called Na P艡铆kop臎 (literally 鈥淥n the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Hradcany (Castle District) Walking Tour
Hradcany, or the Castle District, is a historical neighborhood in Prague brimming with cultural landmarks and architectural marvels.
The area is centered around Prague Castle, reportedly the biggest castle complex in the world. Dating back as far as the 9th century, the castle has been the residence of Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, leaders of socialist Czechoslovakia, and currently the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
The area is centered around Prague Castle, reportedly the biggest castle complex in the world. Dating back as far as the 9th century, the castle has been the residence of Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, leaders of socialist Czechoslovakia, and currently the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
The Jewish Quarter, also known as Josefov, is a part of the Old Town (Star茅 M臎sto) of Prague.
The area breathes history and is a captivating blend of ancient synagogues and other monuments that collectively reflect centuries of Jewish life in the city. Some synagogues are still acting, and others have been converted into art galleries and museums.
One such is the Spanish Synagogue, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
The area breathes history and is a captivating blend of ancient synagogues and other monuments that collectively reflect centuries of Jewish life in the city. Some synagogues are still acting, and others have been converted into art galleries and museums.
One such is the Spanish Synagogue, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
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