Spanish Synagogue

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The synagogue's name originates from the 19th-century belief that the site was originally occupied by Sephardic Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition.

2. 2

   The interior contains over 30,000 unique hand-painted patterns derived from Hispano-Moresque motifs.

3. 3

   The synagogue's organ was played by the composer František Škroup, who wrote the Czech national anthem.

4. 4

   During the Nazi occupation, the synagogue served as a storage facility for confiscated Jewish property.

5. 5

   The central dome is decorated with a massive Star of David in stained glass.

6. 6

   The building's iron structural elements were innovative for the 1868 construction period.

7. 7

   The sanctuary houses a significant collection of Torah silver from the 17th to the 20th century.

Overview

The Spanish Synagogue is widely considered the most beautiful synagogue in Prague, defined by its intricate Moorish Revival interior. Built in 1868 on the site of the 12th-century 'Old Shul', the building features a square ground plan topped by a large central dome. The interior is heavily influenced by the Alhambra, showcasing complex geometric and arabesque gilded stucco motifs. It serves as a permanent exhibition space for the Jewish Museum in Prague, focusing on the history of Jews in Bohemia and Moravia. The synagogue functions as a venue for classical music concerts due to its excellent acoustics. The sanctuary features a stained-glass window designed by Antonín Baum and Bedřich Münzberger. It stands as a monument to the 19th-century assimilation of Prague's Jewish community into the surrounding German and Czech cultures. A bronze statue of Franz Kafka by Jaroslav Róna stands directly adjacent to the building.

Insider tips

• Check the concert calendar in advance, as the acoustics make this one of the premier chamber music venues in the city.

• Combine your visit with a pass for the wider Jewish Museum circuit to see the other historical sites in the neighborhood.

• Look up at the ceiling and the central dome, as the density of the gold-leaf ornamentation is most concentrated there.