Spanish Synagogue

The Spanish Synagogue in Prague is one of the most richly decorated synagogues in Europe, tucked away on the narrow Dušní street in Josefov, the city's former Jewish quarter. It was built in 1868 on the site of a much older Old Synagogue, right next to the Church of the Holy Spirit, and stood out immediately from the plainer buildings around it.

Why is it called "Spanish"?

The name has nothing to do with Spain as a country — it comes from the architectural style used inside. The interior draws on Moorish forms familiar from Andalusian palaces and mosques: geometric ornamentation, gilding, colourful stained glass and walls covered in intricate arabesques. The effect is so dense and detailed that visitors often compare it to an oriental palace rather than a typical Central European synagogue.

What will you see inside?

The interior makes an impression from the very first step. Every centimetre of the walls and ceiling is covered in geometric patterns in shades of gold, red and blue. An upper gallery lets visitors take in the full decoration from above, while the main hall holds an elaborate Aron ha-Kodesh — the Torah ark — which is itself a small work of decorative art. It is one of the most photographed sacred interiors in Prague.

How do you get there?

The synagogue sits in the heart of Josefov, a district now folded into Prague's Old Town. It is only a few minutes' walk from Old Town Square. The nearest tram stops and the Staroměstská metro station (line A) are a few hundred metres away, so the building fits easily into a walking route through the Jewish quarter alongside the Old-New Synagogue, the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Pinkas Synagogue.

When is the best time to visit?

Josefov is one of Prague's busiest sights, so it's worth planning a visit for early morning, right after opening, when the interior is still quiet enough to take in the details without a crowd. In the summer season, queues at Jewish Museum sites can grow long in the early afternoon, so that window is best avoided. It's also worth checking the local events calendar — the synagogue regularly hosts chamber music concerts, which is a good opportunity to see the interior under a different light and hear the organ.

How much time should you plan?

Visiting the interior itself usually takes 20 to 40 minutes — the building is not large, but the density of detail rewards a slower pace. If you're combining it with the rest of the former Jewish quarter's sights, it's worth setting aside half a day for the whole walk through Josefov.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Spanish Synagogue still used for religious services? Today the building mainly functions as a heritage site and an exhibition and concert space run by the Jewish Museum in Prague, though it occasionally hosts religious and cultural events as well.

Why is a synagogue in Prague called "Spanish"? The name refers to the architectural style of the interior, modelled on Moorish decorative art associated with Spain, not to any historical connection with the country itself.

What stood on this site before the synagogue was built? The synagogue was constructed in 1868 on the site of the Old Synagogue, one of the oldest buildings in the Josefov Jewish quarter.

Is it worth visiting alongside other Josefov landmarks? Yes — the synagogue stands right next to the other historic sites of the former Jewish quarter, making it easy to see several of them on a single walk.