Maisel Synagogue, Prague

Like the Jewish Town Hall and the Klausen and High Synagogues, the Maisel Synagogue owes its existence to the generosity of Mordecai Maisel—a wealthy philanthropist, influential mayor of Prague’s Jewish Town, and key figure at the court of Emperor Rudolf II. Constructed in the late 16th century, it was not only one of the most splendid synagogues of its time but also the first in Prague to welcome women into its services. The original structure was built in the Renaissance style; however, the Great Fire of 1689 devastated much of the building. A Baroque redesign followed, only to be replaced in the late 19th century by the neo-Gothic façade you see today.

Inside, the synagogue now serves as a museum space dedicated to the history of Jewish life in the Czech lands, with a focus on the period leading up to the late 18th century. The whitewashed walls create a quiet, contemplative setting for the exhibition. Displayed in glass cases are finely crafted ritual objects: gold and silver Hanukkah lamps, Torah scrolls adorned with embroidered mantles, and delicately worked ceremonial items. Some pieces offer curious insights into social customs, such as the starched ruffs once worn by unmarried Jewish boys from the age of twelve.

Many of the most exquisite artifacts come from the golden age of the 16th and early 17th centuries—a time when Prague’s Jewish community flourished culturally and economically. There is a certain tragic irony, however: a large number of these items were brought to Prague during the Nazi occupation, seized from synagogues across Bohemia and Moravia with the intent of showcasing them in a planned “museum of an extinct race.”

Adding a modern layer to the experience, interactive displays allow to explore historical maps and biographies of notable figures. A highlight is the immersive video installation “Flight Over the Prague Jewish Town”, projected on a large screen and based on Antonín Langweil’s 19th-century paper model of the city—a rare bird’s-eye view into the vanished world of the former ghetto.