Jewish Quarter (Josefov)

Prague's Jewish Quarter preserves six historic synagogues and Europe's oldest surviving Jewish cemetery, telling the story of a community that lived here from the 13th century until the Holocaust. You'll see 77,297 names of murdered Czech Jews inscribed on the Pinkas Synagogue walls, children's drawings from Terezin concentration camp, and the Old Jewish Cemetery where 12,000 visible headstones are layered up to 12 levels deep. The Spanish Synagogue (1868) showcases stunning Moorish architecture, while the Old-New Synagogue from 1270 remains Europe's oldest active synagogue.

The visit feels like walking through layers of history, from medieval persecution to Nazi horrors to modern preservation. The Pinkas Synagogue hits hardest, with floor-to-ceiling names and heartbreaking children's artwork upstairs. The cramped cemetery tells its own story of forced confinement, while the Spanish Synagogue's golden interior provides architectural relief. Most visitors spend 3-4 hours moving between sites, and the emotional weight is significant.

The CZK 500 combined ticket covers five synagogues and the cemetery, but you'll pay extra CZK 200 for the Old-New Synagogue, which is worth it. Most guides don't mention how emotionally draining this is, so plan lighter activities afterward. Skip the Klaus Synagogue if you're short on time, it's the least compelling. Start early to avoid tour groups, and buy tickets online to skip queues.