Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague
The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague is one of the most hauntingly beautiful sites in the city鈥攁nd one of the largest of its kind in Europe. For centuries, it served as the only permitted burial ground for the Jewish community, with graves dating from the early 15th century all the way to 1787. Because space within the walled ghetto was so limited, burials were layered鈥攕ometimes up to twelve deep鈥攔esulting in a sea of tombstones tilted, clustered, and rising unevenly from the earth. The 12,000 visible headstones you see today represent just a portion of those actually buried here.
In the beginning, gravestones were modest鈥攕imple markers for simple times. Over the years, however, they grew increasingly ornate. By the 17th century, headstones featured decorative flourishes like pilasters, volutes, and even carved false doorways, symbolizing the passage from one world to the next. Inscriptions are written in Hebrew and often include the deceased's name, along with the date of death or burial. From the Renaissance onward, brief eulogies were expanded to include poetic praise, while engraved symbols began to appear鈥攃lues to the person鈥檚 character, name, or profession. A pair of hands might represent a descendant of priests; a pair of scissors could point to a tailor.
Among the cemetery鈥檚 most notable graves is that of Avigdor Kara, a 15th-century poet whose original headstone now resides in the Maisel Synagogue. His is the oldest marked burial in the cemetery. Another revered figure laid to rest here is Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel鈥攂etter known as Rabbi L枚w鈥攖he brilliant scholar and mystic behind the legend of the Golem. Even today, visitors leave tiny scraps of paper bearing prayers and wishes tucked into the cracks of his tombstone, hoping for a little intervention from the spiritual world.
In the beginning, gravestones were modest鈥攕imple markers for simple times. Over the years, however, they grew increasingly ornate. By the 17th century, headstones featured decorative flourishes like pilasters, volutes, and even carved false doorways, symbolizing the passage from one world to the next. Inscriptions are written in Hebrew and often include the deceased's name, along with the date of death or burial. From the Renaissance onward, brief eulogies were expanded to include poetic praise, while engraved symbols began to appear鈥攃lues to the person鈥檚 character, name, or profession. A pair of hands might represent a descendant of priests; a pair of scissors could point to a tailor.
Among the cemetery鈥檚 most notable graves is that of Avigdor Kara, a 15th-century poet whose original headstone now resides in the Maisel Synagogue. His is the oldest marked burial in the cemetery. Another revered figure laid to rest here is Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel鈥攂etter known as Rabbi L枚w鈥攖he brilliant scholar and mystic behind the legend of the Golem. Even today, visitors leave tiny scraps of paper bearing prayers and wishes tucked into the cracks of his tombstone, hoping for a little intervention from the spiritual world.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Prague. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Old Jewish Cemetery on Map
Sight Name: Old Jewish Cemetery
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Prague, Czech Republic
Create Your Own Walk in Prague
Creating your own self-guided walk in Prague is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
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One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Lesser Town Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
New Town Walking Tour
The youngest (founded in 1348) and the largest (three times the size of the Old Town), the New Town (or Nove Mesto) of Prague is one of the five originally independent townships that today form the historic center of the Czech capital. This vibrant district offers a mix of historical charm and modern amenities and is traditionally dense with tourists.
At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
The Jewish Quarter of Prague carries over a thousand years of memory etched into its streets, synagogues, and gravestones. Jewish communities began settling in this area as early as the 10th century, and although they were later forced into a walled ghetto, they cultivated a vibrant cultural and intellectual life鈥攅specially during the 16th century, a golden age shaped by the influence of Rabbi... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Prague Introduction Walking Tour
Nicknamed the 鈥淐ity of a Hundred Spires,鈥� Prague is a living gallery of history and architecture, home to world-class museums, eclectic galleries, numerous theaters, and a seemingly endless collection of historic landmarks.
The name Praha comes from the old Slavic word 鈥減r谩h鈥�, which means 鈥渞apid鈥�, nodding to the city's beginnings at a crossing on the Vltava River. Legend... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The name Praha comes from the old Slavic word 鈥減r谩h鈥�, which means 鈥渞apid鈥�, nodding to the city's beginnings at a crossing on the Vltava River. Legend... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
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