The Old-New Synagogue
The Old-New Synagogue
3.5
About
The oldest surviving example of a medieval twin-nave synagogue, the early-Gothic structure was built during the 13th century.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Josefov
Josefov houses Prague’s Jewish community. This small neighborhood centered around Široká street is completely surrounded by Staré Město (Old Town). As the former Jewish Ghetto, today all that remains are a few synagogues and the oldest surviving Jewish cemetery in Europe. The narrow streets were once small enough that a person could touch the houses on both sides. You can still feel the dignity and history this neighborhood carries in its legacy as Franz Kafka’s birthplace. Nearby streets are full of kosher restaurants, museums and antique bookstores.
How to get there
- Old Town • 3 min walk
- Lesser • 8 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
884 reviews
Excellent
273
Very good
248
Average
197
Poor
89
Terrible
77
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DCM
Belfast, UK64 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Had never been in a synagogue before, so thought we'd take a look. Whilst impressive enough, we admired the room we were shown to for about 10 mins then went to move on to the next area, only to discover there was nowhere else to see. I know they are using the money to help the community, but still can't help but feel ripped off. Plus point was they gave us a leaflet of info at the door, but they had been seeking more than the ticket price for an audio guide. Glad I didn't purchase that.
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelerTrecker
Houston830 contributions
Oct 2022
This is a very interesting synagogue! Of all synagogues that are part of Jewish museum, this is the oldest one and it is till in use. It closes 1 hour earlier than the others (Spanish, Pynkas, Klausen, Maisel). This is the oldest synagogue (it was built in the 13th century) and the most important one in Prague. The synagogue protected the Jewish community during the pogroms and you can still see some evidence of the tragic events in the walls. It is also the site of the Golem's legend that is so important as a symbol of protection and humility. The Golem is the protagonist of very important literature books.
I disagree with what some reviews say. It is truth that you have to pay an extra ticket; however, it is worth to visit the synagogue given its history, unique architecture, and legends. In addition, you will see the ark, the standard, and the tympanum which are very interesting. It survived the holocaust.
You may get the full ticket that allows you to visit all synagogues, the ceremonial hall, the old cemetery, and the Robert Guttmann museum. The ticket is expensive however it is worth to buy it and is valid for 7 days.
I disagree with what some reviews say. It is truth that you have to pay an extra ticket; however, it is worth to visit the synagogue given its history, unique architecture, and legends. In addition, you will see the ark, the standard, and the tympanum which are very interesting. It survived the holocaust.
You may get the full ticket that allows you to visit all synagogues, the ceremonial hall, the old cemetery, and the Robert Guttmann museum. The ticket is expensive however it is worth to buy it and is valid for 7 days.
Written February 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David D
1,212 contributions
May 2021
The synagogue was made in 1270 and retains much of its original form. It is associated with the legend of the Golem of Prague, which has many versions, and it is said that the golem lies dormant in the attic of the synagogue. The many legends that have gathered around the synagogue show the appeal that it has had to many people of all faiths over the centuries. The building itself is small, only a few rooms, with sparse but beautiful decoration. It is small compared to some of the other synagogues of the city, but well worth seeing for the historical and legendary associations it has.
Written May 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ana V
Eugene, OR654 contributions
Jun 2022
Built in 1270 it is the oldest synagogue in Eastern Europe and some say the oldest still-working Synagogue in Europe. It is really beautiful inside. As you enter noticed the two fortified old lockers - in which the most heavily taxed community in medieval Prague stored its money in anticipation of the taxman's arrival. This requires a separate ticket and is not part of group synagogue ticket, but it is worth the price.
Written July 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
feanor87
Anzio, Italy2,050 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The synagogue is one of the symbols of Prague and at the center of several legends, including, the most important, the one that says the golem was kept in its attic.
The rooms to visit are really small, and also for this reason I recommend visiting it with the combined ticket of the Jewish museum, which includes five synagogues, the Jewish cemetery (very suggestive), the ceremonial hall and (at least in the period of August 2023) a temporary exhibition at the Robert Guttmann gallery. Considering that the combined ticket offers many days to visit the various buildings, it is very practical to divide the visit into several moments, and perhaps the late afternoon is the best time, as there are very few people compared to the morning.
Tip: go and buy tickets at the Maisel synagogue, it is much less crowded than the others and you will have very little queuing.
The rooms to visit are really small, and also for this reason I recommend visiting it with the combined ticket of the Jewish museum, which includes five synagogues, the Jewish cemetery (very suggestive), the ceremonial hall and (at least in the period of August 2023) a temporary exhibition at the Robert Guttmann gallery. Considering that the combined ticket offers many days to visit the various buildings, it is very practical to divide the visit into several moments, and perhaps the late afternoon is the best time, as there are very few people compared to the morning.
Tip: go and buy tickets at the Maisel synagogue, it is much less crowded than the others and you will have very little queuing.
Written September 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raintree_Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand4,443 contributions
Nov 2022
Europe's oldest active synagogue; completed in 1270. The design is quite interesting. Apparently, there is a hefty charge to enter (we didn't do so), but reviewers say it isn't worth the fee. We found it interesting just to see from the outside.
Written January 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN6,362 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
A visit to the Old-New Synagogue is the highlight of a visit to Prague's Jewish Quarter. Dating back to 1270, it is the oldest functioning synagogue in Europe. It has been the main synagogue for Prague's Jewish community for over 700 years. Its exterior is beautiful in its simplicity. Inside, it looks like a Gothic church as it was constructed by the same members of the stonemason's guild who built the nearby Convent of St Agnes. This reflects the importance of the Jewish community in Prague in the 13th century. The audio guide which can be purchased as part of the Jewish Museum Tour provides excellent commentary when visiting the Old-New Synagogue. A visit here previously required a separate ticket from the Jewish Museum Tour that includes all of the other historic synagogues in the Jewish Quarter, or you could buy a combo ticket. However, since early 2024, it is helpfully now included as part of this tour.
Written October 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
inlvr
Brussels, Belgium15 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We bought a combination ticket for about 17 Euro each. This gave us access to several synagogues and the cemetery when in fact all we wanted to visit was the Spanish synagogue. There is no way to buy entry to just the Spanish synagogue. The combo ticket holds little interest and in my view is not worth it and too expensive. If it had included the Jerusalem synagogue and the old New synagogue I think it would have been worth it. I think the organisers need to reconsider the pricing strategy as it smacks of tourist rip off
Written September 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DXB_Maple
Dubai, United Arab Emirates480 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Very expensive for the limited amount of time that we were in the synagogue. I don’t agree with charging admission to religiously significant places but this charge was way out of line for the experience. We could have easily skipped it and never missed anything. We didn’t learn anything of any value.
Written October 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leah A
Jerusalem, Israel40 contributions
Sep 2024 • Solo
The synagogue can be visited via a ticket combining all the sites in the Jewish quarter.
It is the oldest functioning synagogue in Europe,since 1270. It is also the synagogue the great Maharal - one if the biggest thinkers in Jewish philosophy.
Besides being an interesting experience in Jewish architecture,this is mostly a spiritual experience.
If you are look for intricate design and decor, this is not for you. If you are looking to pray next to the seat of one if the greatest rabbis of all times, this is a place to do so (The Maharal's seat is at the front on the right roped off).
Do get the audio guide offered at the various stations in the Jewish museum to better understand the history behind the different sites
It is the oldest functioning synagogue in Europe,since 1270. It is also the synagogue the great Maharal - one if the biggest thinkers in Jewish philosophy.
Besides being an interesting experience in Jewish architecture,this is mostly a spiritual experience.
If you are look for intricate design and decor, this is not for you. If you are looking to pray next to the seat of one if the greatest rabbis of all times, this is a place to do so (The Maharal's seat is at the front on the right roped off).
Do get the audio guide offered at the various stations in the Jewish museum to better understand the history behind the different sites
Written September 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
il biglietto cumulativo quanto costa e cosa comprende?
Written September 11, 2018
Eccomi, ho controllato. Costa 530 corone ceche.
Written September 12, 2018
Shalom,
My 19-year daughter Eden (who is not Jewish but whose grandfather was and used to go to the Old-New Synagogue in the late 1930s) will be in Prague between May 3 and June 12 this year. I am wondering if as a non-Jew she is allowed to attend a Shabbat service at the synagogue. Also, are there dress requirements she should be aware of such as not wearing long pants or having to wear a hat?
Thank you.
Written May 2, 2018
Pavel V
Prague, Czech Republic
It's better to have some ID with you and count with the security check.
Written May 6, 2018
Is possible to visit the Synagogue using the Prague Card?
Written November 17, 2017
Pavel V
Prague, Czech Republic
No, the Old-New synagogue is not included in the Prague Card - but you may visit the Jewish Museum using the Prague Card.
Written November 21, 2017
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