Jewish Quarter
In the Middle Ages there were two disctinct Jewish communities in Prague's Old Town: Jews from the west had settled around the Old-New Synagogue, Jews from the Byzantine Empire around the Old Shul. The two settlements gradually merged and were confined in an enclosed ghetto. For centuries Prague's Jews suffered from opressive laws - in the 16th centure they had to wear a yellow circle as a mark of shame. Christians often accused them of starting fires and poisoning wells - any pretext for a porgrom. Discrimination was partially relaxed in 1784 by Joseph II, and the Jewish Quarter was named Josefov after him. In 1850 the area was officially incorporated as part of Prague. In the 1890s the city authorities decided to raze the ghetto slums because the area's complete lack of sanitation made it a health hazard. However, the Town Hall, a number of synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery were saved.
Old Jewish Cemetery
This remarkable site was, for over 300 years, the only burial ground permitted to Jews. Founded in 1478, it was slighhtly enlarged over the years but still basically corresponds to its medieval size. Because of the lack of space people had to be buried on top of each other, up to 12 layers deep. Today you can see over 12,000 gravestones crammed into the tiny space, but an estimated 100,000 people are thought to have been buried here. The last burial was of Moses Beck in 1787.
Spanish Synagogue
Prague's first synagogue, known as the Old School once stood on this site. In the 11th century the Old School was the centre of the community of Jews of the eastern rite, who lived strictly apart from the Jews of the western rite, who were concentrated around the Old-New Synagogue.
The present building dates from the second half of the 19th century. The exterior and interior are both pseudo-Morrish in appearence. The rich stucco decorations on the walls and vaults are reminiscent of the Alhambra in Spain, hence the name. Once closed to the public, the Spanish Synagogue now houses a permanent exhibition dedicated to the history.
Pinkas Synagogue
The synagogue was founded in 1479 by Rabbi Pinkas and enlarged in 1535 by his great-nephew Aaron Meshulam Horowitz. It has been rebuilt many times over the centuries. Excavations have turned up fasicnating relics of life in the medieval ghetto, including a mikva or ritual bath. The core of the present buidlings is a hall with Gothic vaulting. The gallery for women was added in the early 17th century.
The synagogue now serves as a memorial to all the Jewish Czechoslovak citizens who were imprisoned in Terezin concentration camp and later deoprted to various Nazi extermination camps. The names of the 77,297 who did not return are inscribed on the synagogue walls. The building now houses an exhibition of children's drawings from the Terezin concentration camps.
Rudolfinum
Now the home of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, the Rudolfinum is one of the
most impressive landmarks on the Old Town bank of the Vltava. Many of the major
concerts of the Prague Spring music festival are held here. There are several concert
halls, the sumptuous Dvorak Hall ranking among the finest creations fo 19th century
Czech architecutre.
The Rudolfinum was built between 1876 and 1884 to a design by Josef Zitek
and Josef Schulz and named in honor of Crown Prince Rudolph of Habsburg.
Like the National Theater, it is an outstanding example of Czech Neo-Renaissance style.
THe curving balustrade is decorated with statues of distringuished Czech, Austrian,
and German composers and artists.
Also known as the House of Artists, the building houses the Gallerie
Rudolphinum, a collection of modern art. Between 1918 and 1939, and for a brief
period after World War II, the Rudolfinum was the seat of the Czechoslovak parliment.
