Pinkas Synagogue

Pinkas Synagogue in Prague stands right beside the Old Jewish Cemetery, at the heart of the city's historic Jewish Quarter, Josefov. It's one of the most visited stops for anyone walking the synagogue trail through this part of town, and one of the most emotionally heavy.

What will you see inside?

For decades the interior has served as a memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust from Bohemia and Moravia. The walls of the main hall and adjoining rooms are covered, floor to ceiling, with handwritten names, surnames, and birth and death dates of people deported from these lands during the Second World War. It's the building's defining feature — a quiet, monochrome space where names fill every available surface, and the effect is far more powerful in person than any description can convey.

Upstairs, a second exhibition awaits: drawings made by children imprisoned in the Terezín ghetto. Created under camp conditions, these works capture the everyday life, hopes, and fears of the youngest wartime victims, adding a separate and deeply affecting chapter to the visit.

How to get there?

The synagogue sits in the very center of Josefov, directly next to the Old Jewish Cemetery, so the easiest way to reach it is on foot from Prague's Old Town — it's only a few minutes' walk from the Old Town Square. The nearest metro station is Staroměstská (line A), with tram stops also running along the Vltava riverbank nearby. Given the location right in the historic center, dedicated parking is essentially not an option — it's far more practical to leave a car on the outskirts and continue on foot.

When should you visit?

Like the other Jewish heritage sites in Prague, the synagogue is closed on Saturdays (Shabbat) and on Jewish holidays, so it's worth checking before planning a trip. On other days, the quietest time is early morning, right after opening, before tour groups arrive. Spring and autumn make for comfortable seasons to explore the whole quarter on foot, without the summer peak-season crowds.

What should you know before visiting?

Pinkas Synagogue is included in the combined Jewish Museum in Prague ticket, which also covers the other synagogues of Josefov and the Old Jewish Cemetery — a standalone ticket for just this building typically isn't offered. Because the site functions as a Holocaust memorial, it's worth planning an unhurried, reflective visit rather than rushing through. Photography inside is often restricted or prohibited, so it's a good idea to check the current rules on site.

Frequently asked questions

Is Pinkas Synagogue still an active place of worship? Today it functions mainly as a museum and Holocaust memorial rather than a venue for regular religious services.

How much time should you set aside? The interior itself can be seen in about 20–30 minutes, but pairing it with the neighboring Old Jewish Cemetery is worth budgeting extra time for.

Does the ticket also cover the cemetery? Yes, the Jewish Museum in Prague ticket usually bundles the synagogue with the adjacent Old Jewish Cemetery and other sites in the quarter.

Is this a suitable visit for children? Given the nature of the exhibition — names of Holocaust victims, drawings by children from Terezín — it calls for a certain seriousness, so it's worth judging individually based on a child's age and sensitivity.