Jerusalem Synagogue

The Jubilee Synagogue, usually called the Jerusalem Synagogue after its street, was built in 1905-1906 to replace three older synagogues demolished in the clearance of the Jewish quarter, and it was named for the jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph. Wilhelm Stiassny designed it in a manner that has few parallels: the front is banded in red and ochre with a large horseshoe arch and twin towers in a Moorish idiom, while the detail, the ironwork and the stencilled interior decoration are Viennese Art Nouveau, so two styles run together throughout. Inside, the ceiling and walls are painted in blue, gold and red patterning, with a large stained-glass Star of David above the ark and a gallery on cast-iron columns. It is the largest synagogue in Prague and it is a working congregation as well as a visitor site, with an exhibition on Prague Jewish history and concerts on the organ.

History

The synagogue was built in 1906 to designs by Wilhelm Stiassny, with Alois Richter as builder, and was first named in honour of the golden jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1898. It replaced three synagogues - the Zigeiner, the Velkodvorská and the New - demolished between 1898 and 1906. Built as a Reform synagogue, with an organ and a choir, it is now used by the more traditional, Modern Orthodox members of the Prague Jewish community, though it remains much less strict than the Old-New Synagogue. Since the Vinohrady synagogue was pulled down in 1951 it has been the largest in Prague (Wikipedia, Jubilee Synagogue).

Highlights

• Red and ochre banding - a Moorish horseshoe-arched front with twin towers.
• Art Nouveau detail - Viennese ironwork and stencilling over the Moorish frame.
• A painted interior - blue, gold and red patterning with a stained-glass star.
• The largest in Prague - a working congregation with an exhibition inside.

When to go

April to October. Two hours.

Things to know

Closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays, and seasonal - it shuts for much of winter. Head covering expected for men. It is away from the tourist route, which is why it is quieter than the Josefov synagogues.

Nearby

The main railway station is close; Josefov is a walk west.

Key facts