Jewish History in Prague

Prague has a long and rich history of Jewish culture and community. The first recorded Jewish presence in Prague dates back to the 10th century, and the city has been home to a significant Jewish population for much of its history.

During the Middle Ages, Jews in Prague were concentrated in a designated area known as the Jewish Town, or “Josefov”. The Jewish Town was home to a number of important synagogues, such as the Old-New Synagogue and the Maisel Synagogue, as well as other Jewish institutions, such as the Jewish Town Hall and the Jewish Cemetery.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Prague was a center of Jewish cultural and intellectual activity, and was home to a number of important figures in the fields of literature, philosophy, and science. However, during the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia, the Jewish community in Prague was greatly reduced, as many Jews were either killed or fled the country.

Today, Prague is home to a small but vibrant Jewish community, and there are a number of Jewish cultural and historical sites in the city that are open to the public, such as the Jewish Museum in Prague and the Jewish Cemetery. These sites offer a glimpse into the rich history of the Jewish community in Prague and serve as important reminders of the city’s diverse cultural heritage.