Maisel Synagogue

Maisel Synagogue is a Renaissance-era synagogue in Prague's Josefov quarter, built at the end of the 16th century thanks to the wealthy Mordecai Maisel and today part of the Jewish Museum in Prague.

Who built the synagogue, and when?

Construction ran from 1590 to 1592 on what is now Maiselova Street, financed and commissioned by Mordecai Maisel, mayor of Prague's Jewish community and one of the wealthiest men in the city during the reign of Rudolf II. The building work was carried out by Josef Wahl and Juda Goldsmied. When finished, it was one of the largest and grandest synagogues anywhere in the ghetto.

What happened to the original Renaissance building?

A devastating fire swept through the building in 1689, part of a blaze that damaged much of Josefov. The synagogue was rebuilt soon after, but this time in Baroque style — the original Renaissance appearance was lost for good.

Why does the synagogue look Neo-Gothic today?

Its current pseudo-Gothic form comes from a thorough reconstruction carried out between 1893 and 1905, designed by Professor Grotte. The pointed windows and Gothic-inspired detailing visitors see today on Maiselova Street date from this turn-of-the-century rebuild, not from the original 16th-century structure.

What is inside the synagogue today?

Maisel Synagogue is one of the sites that make up the Jewish Museum in Prague. Its interior now houses a permanent exhibition on the history of Jews in the Bohemian lands from the 10th to the 18th century. The central space, around where the Holy Ark once stood, is devoted to the "golden age" of Prague's Jewish community during the Renaissance, with a focus on Mordecai Maisel himself and the legend of the Golem. The side aisle covers everyday life, livelihoods, and the discrimination and persecution Jews faced over the centuries. The exhibition closes at the western end of the building, tracing how the Enlightenment and growing contact between Jews and Christians reshaped Jewish life in Bohemia and Moravia toward the end of the 18th century.

How long has the building served as a museum?

The Jewish Museum acquired the synagogue in 1955, initially using it as a storage facility for its collections before it became a full stop on the museum's visitor circuit. Between 2014 and 2015 the building underwent a major renovation that added barrier-free access along with modern audiovisual equipment, making a visit considerably more comfortable.

Where exactly is the synagogue located?

The building stands on Maiselova Street at the heart of Josefov, Prague's historic Jewish quarter, within easy walking distance of the Old Town and the Old Jewish Cemetery, alongside the other sites of the Jewish Museum.

Frequently asked questions

When was Maisel Synagogue built? Between 1590 and 1592, commissioned by Mordecai Maisel, mayor of Prague's Jewish community.

Why does a Renaissance-era synagogue look Neo-Gothic today? The original Renaissance building was destroyed by a fire in 1689. After a Baroque reconstruction, it was rebuilt again in pseudo-Gothic style between 1893 and 1905 to a design by Professor Grotte, and that is the form standing today.

What can visitors see inside? A permanent Jewish Museum exhibition on the history of Jews in Bohemia and Moravia from the 10th to the 18th century, including the story of Mordecai Maisel and the legend of the Golem.

Is the synagogue still used for religious services? No, it now functions solely as a museum space within the Jewish Museum in Prague, with no active liturgical use.