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Small-Group Walking Tour in Prague: Stories of Jewish Prague
3 h
Small Group
By walk
Instant confirmation
About this activity
Start your 3-hour walking tour at the Old-New Synagogue, the oldest functioning synagogue in Europe, which was built around 1270 and is also among the oldest Gothic structures in Prague. Prohibited from practicing masonry, the Jews hired Christians to build the synagogue. Learn about Jewish religious and social customs during the medieval period.
Also visit the Renaissance-era Town Hall built by Mordechai Maisel and envision the golden age of Prague’s Jewish community. Maisel, the mayor of the Jewish Quarter who became Rudolf II’s Minister of Finance, used his fortune to pave the ghetto’s streets, support Jewish organizations and provide charity for the needy. At the same time, Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel (1525-1609) became legendary in Europe for his prolific theological and philosophical writings. Rabbi Loew is celebrated in Prague folklore as the creator of Golem, a monstrous living being made from clay from the banks of the Vltava River. According to one version of the story, Golem was created to defend the Jews from anti-Semitic attacks.
As you continue to move through one of the largest collections of Judaica in the world, the paradoxes of the Jewish experience in Prague become manifest. In 1745, the entire Jewish population was expelled by Austrian Empress Maria Theresa. Yet, only a few years later, facing a financial recession, Prague’s residents demanded their return. In 1782, Maria Theresa’s son, Josef II, issued the Edict of Toleration, granting the Jews religious freedom, eliminating professional restrictions, and allowing Jewish children to attend schools and universities. A grateful community renamed the ghetto district “Josefov,” as it is still known today.
The increasing liberalism and toleration set in motion by Josef II were swamped by the genocidal nationalism of Nazi Germany. Prague’s Jewish community, at the moment of its greatest assimilation, was decimated by the Holocaust. Learn about the political, economic and ethnic tensions that led to Hitler’s invasion of Czechoslovakia and discuss the implementation of the Nazi’s “Final Solution” in Prague. Also hear about the Jewish experience during the communist years and look at the fragile revival of Prague’s Jewish community taking place today.
*Note to travelers with mobility issues: Please note that this tour as regularly offered includes walking up and down stairs that are sometimes very narrow and/or steep. If you believe you will have difficulties, please consider booking a private tour so that your guide can tailor the route to your limits and personal rhythm, leaving out some sites and focusing on other sites as needed.
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Also visit the Renaissance-era Town Hall built by Mordechai Maisel and envision the golden age of Prague’s Jewish community. Maisel, the mayor of the Jewish Quarter who became Rudolf II’s Minister of Finance, used his fortune to pave the ghetto’s streets, support Jewish organizations and provide charity for the needy. At the same time, Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel (1525-1609) became legendary in Europe for his prolific theological and philosophical writings. Rabbi Loew is celebrated in Prague folklore as the creator of Golem, a monstrous living being made from clay from the banks of the Vltava River. According to one version of the story, Golem was created to defend the Jews from anti-Semitic attacks.
As you continue to move through one of the largest collections of Judaica in the world, the paradoxes of the Jewish experience in Prague become manifest. In 1745, the entire Jewish population was expelled by Austrian Empress Maria Theresa. Yet, only a few years later, facing a financial recession, Prague’s residents demanded their return. In 1782, Maria Theresa’s son, Josef II, issued the Edict of Toleration, granting the Jews religious freedom, eliminating professional restrictions, and allowing Jewish children to attend schools and universities. A grateful community renamed the ghetto district “Josefov,” as it is still known today.
The increasing liberalism and toleration set in motion by Josef II were swamped by the genocidal nationalism of Nazi Germany. Prague’s Jewish community, at the moment of its greatest assimilation, was decimated by the Holocaust. Learn about the political, economic and ethnic tensions that led to Hitler’s invasion of Czechoslovakia and discuss the implementation of the Nazi’s “Final Solution” in Prague. Also hear about the Jewish experience during the communist years and look at the fragile revival of Prague’s Jewish community taking place today.
*Note to travelers with mobility issues: Please note that this tour as regularly offered includes walking up and down stairs that are sometimes very narrow and/or steep. If you believe you will have difficulties, please consider booking a private tour so that your guide can tailor the route to your limits and personal rhythm, leaving out some sites and focusing on other sites as needed.
Included
- Historian guide
Not included
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Entrance fees to Jewish Museum and Old-New Synagogue (530 CZK/adults; 370 CSK/students)
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Choice of morning and afternoon departure; please advise at time of booking
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Features
Tourism
90%
Cultural
60%
Sport
30%
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This was the best tour I have had so far and cannot stress enough how excellent Martina was. She was so knowledgeable and passionate and she made this tour the highlight of our visit to Prague. The history of Jewish Prague came alive and we thank Martina so much for a truly outstanding tour.
While our guide did have some interesting stories and history to tell us, she was somewhat verbose and talking on a very intellectual level, assuming we already knew some of the history of Jewish Prague. While we were very pleased that our guide showed us all of the sights in the Jewish section, the scheduled 3 hour tour took 4 hours. She had an in-depth knowledge of the history of the area, but her admitted lack of knowledge of any Jewish religious practices and rituals compromised the effectiveness of her presentations.
This was a wonderful way to get the history and background of the old Jewish quarter. There were only 3 of us and our guide answered all questions with great knowledge of the places and events of the past. Well worth it.
A well structured and comprehensive tour, covering all the Jewish museums and the Old-New synagogue. Bonita was an excellent guide, crafting her content very professionally, and covering history, culture and architecture in a really interesting and engaging way. She has chosen to make this lovely city home, which offered unique insights and perspectives. The wet weather was scarcely noticeable. Certainly a highlight of this visit.