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 façade, later replaced by the current neo-Gothic façade 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 Visitors can also view examples of outdated ruffs worn by unmarried males from the age of twelve and a replica of Ferdinand I's decree mandating the circular yellow badge.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.