JOSEFOV

Description

Essentials about Josefov in brief

The Josefov district (Joseph Town), today part of Prague’s old town, is one of the most beautiful and historically interesting areas of the Czech capital. This is due to the remarkable transformation of Josefov. For many centuries it was Prague’s Jewish quarter, which at the end of the 19th century was transformed into a magnificent Art Nouveau district, whose beautiful buildings are now home mainly to upscale boutiques of international brands. But it’s this unexpected mix of Jewish history, Art Nouveau architecture and haute couture chic that gives Josefov its flair.

The history of Josefov

Jews settled in Prague as early as the 10th century. Finally, in the 13th century, a separate ghetto – the Jewish Town – was established, where Jews had to live separately from the rest of the population. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Jewish ghetto experienced its heyday with many synagogues, where famous rabbis taught, and its own Jewish high school.

In 1848, the Jews were finally granted general citizenship rights and were henceforth allowed to settle throughout Prague. Two years later the quarter was renamed “Josephstadt”. The name was given by Emperor Joseph II, who enabled the Jews to freely practice their religion with the Patent of Tolerance.

Wealthier Jewish inhabitants of Josefov seized the opportunity and left the ghetto, which led to an increasing deterioration of the residential buildings. Most of the neighborhood was eventually demolished between 1893 and 1913. After citizen protests, the demolition of important Jewish buildings, such as the six synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Old Jewish Town Hall and the Jewish Ceremonial Hall, was prevented. The preserved religious buildings and cemetery grounds are now part of the Jewish Museum.

At the end of the 19th century, new magnificent Art Nouveau buildings were erected by order of the Prague City Council. The buildings and the layout of the new streets were mainly based on the model of Paris. The central axis and at the same time the most magnificent street of the new Josephov was therefore called Paris Street. Fortunately, Josephov was not destroyed during the period of German occupation in World War II.

Josefov as the Jewish quarter of Prague

Anyone interested in Jewish history should definitely take a closer look at Josefov. Hardly any other city can boast of such a well-preserved Jewish quarter as Prague. Six synagogues, the Jewish Town Hall and the Old Jewish Cemetery are still the witnesses of the centuries-old Jewish culture and tradition in Prague.

Especially the Old New Synagogue is definitely worth a visit. Not only because it is the oldest preserved synagogue in Europe, but also because its interior is impressive and mysterious. But also the Pinkas Synagogue with its memorial to the victims of the Holocaust and the Spanish Synagogue with its beautiful golden decorations are absolutely worth seeing. But probably the most bizarre testimony of the former Jewish ghetto is the Old Jewish Cemetery. Its stacked gravestones create a truly mystical experience in the play of light and shadow of the surrounding trees.