
Klausen Synagogue, Prague
Conveniently located right at the entrance to the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Klausen Synagogue is the largest in Prague’s historic Jewish Quarter. Built at the end of the 17th century, its foundations rest on the site of three earlier structures—a small synagogue, a school, and a ritual bath—all consumed by the devastating fire that swept through the ghetto in 1689. The new building, shaped by early Baroque design, quickly became a central part of the community’s spiritual and social life.
During the Second World War, the synagogue was seized by the Nazis and used as a storage space, a grim chapter that led to the loss of much of its interior detail. In the years following the war, it became part of the Jewish Museum in Prague and has since offered visitors a meaningful window into Jewish life and ritual. The permanent exhibitions focused on everyday customs and the major Jewish holidays have long been a favorite among those interested in the cultural fabric of Czech Jewry.
Inside, visitors would normally find a spacious nave beneath a barrel-vaulted ceiling, adorned with Baroque stucco work—acanthus leaves, cascading fruit garlands, and intricate detailing that adds a sense of movement and warmth. Sunlight pours through tall arched windows, casting a golden glow across the space. One of the most cherished elements is the Torah Ark, carved from wood in 1696. Positioned at the front of the hall, it showcases the artistry and devotion that defined the period.
As of July 2024, the Klausen Synagogue is temporarily closed for major renovations, with a planned reopening set for 2028. When it reopens, a new core exhibition focused on Jewish customs and daily practices will take center stage, continuing the synagogue’s role as a bridge between past and present. For the latest updates and announcements, be sure to check the official website of the Jewish Museum in Prague.
During the Second World War, the synagogue was seized by the Nazis and used as a storage space, a grim chapter that led to the loss of much of its interior detail. In the years following the war, it became part of the Jewish Museum in Prague and has since offered visitors a meaningful window into Jewish life and ritual. The permanent exhibitions focused on everyday customs and the major Jewish holidays have long been a favorite among those interested in the cultural fabric of Czech Jewry.
Inside, visitors would normally find a spacious nave beneath a barrel-vaulted ceiling, adorned with Baroque stucco work—acanthus leaves, cascading fruit garlands, and intricate detailing that adds a sense of movement and warmth. Sunlight pours through tall arched windows, casting a golden glow across the space. One of the most cherished elements is the Torah Ark, carved from wood in 1696. Positioned at the front of the hall, it showcases the artistry and devotion that defined the period.
As of July 2024, the Klausen Synagogue is temporarily closed for major renovations, with a planned reopening set for 2028. When it reopens, a new core exhibition focused on Jewish customs and daily practices will take center stage, continuing the synagogue’s role as a bridge between past and present. For the latest updates and announcements, be sure to check the official website of the Jewish Museum in Prague.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Prague. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Klausen Synagogue on Map
Sight Name: Klausen 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.
Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
The Jewish Quarter of Prague carries over a thousand years of memory etched into its streets, synagogues, and gravestones. Jewish communities began settling in this area as early as the 10th century, and although they were later forced into a walled ghetto, they cultivated a vibrant cultural and intellectual life—especially during the 16th century, a golden age shaped by the influence of Rabbi... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Prague Introduction Walking Tour
Nicknamed the “City of a Hundred Spires,” Prague is a living gallery of history and architecture, home to world-class museums, eclectic galleries, numerous theaters, and a seemingly endless collection of historic landmarks.
The name Praha comes from the old Slavic word “práh”, which means “rapid”, nodding to the city's beginnings at a crossing on the Vltava River. Legend... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The name Praha comes from the old Slavic word “práh”, which means “rapid”, nodding to the city's beginnings at a crossing on the Vltava River. Legend... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Lesser Town Walking Tour
Malá Strana, or the “Lesser Town,” lies along the left bank of the Vltava River and remains one of Prague’s most charming and historically layered districts. In medieval times, it was primarily settled by ethnic Germans, and even as Baroque architecture reshaped the neighborhood following the devastating fire of 1541, the area held onto its Germanic roots for generations. Its location near... 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
New Town Walking Tour
The youngest (founded in 1348) and the largest (three times the size of the Old Town), the New Town (or Nove Mesto) of Prague is one of the five originally independent townships that today form the historic center of the Czech capital. This vibrant district offers a mix of historical charm and modern amenities and is traditionally dense with tourists.
At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 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
Old Town Walking Tour
Prague’s Old Town is a living tapestry of medieval roots and vibrant modern life, wrapped in narrow cobblestone streets and brimming with architectural treasures. Once a self-contained settlement, it was protected by a semi-circular moat and a fortified wall, both tracing the curve of the Vltava River. Although the moat is long gone, its path survives in the form of key streets—most notably Na... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
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