Stories of Jewish Prague Walking Tour
Overview
This 3-hour walking tour of the Jewish Quarter in Prague focuses on the collection of buildings, exhibitions and sites that make up the Jewish Museum: the five remaining synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery and Jewish Town Hall. Begin your tour at the Old-New Synagogue, the oldest functioning synagogue in Europe.
What's Included
- Historian guide
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Entrance fees to Jewish Museum and Old-New Synagogue (600 CZK/adults; 400 CZK/students)
Meeting Location
Maiselova 38/15
110 00 Praha 1-Josefov, Czechia
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
Prague
Czechia
What To Expect
Start your 3-hour walking tour at the Old-New Synagogue, the oldest functioning synagogue in Europe, which was built around 1270 and is also among the oldest Gothic structures in Prague. Prohibited from practicing masonry, the Jews hired Christians to build the synagogue. Learn about Jewish religious and social customs during the medieval period.
Also visit the Renaissance-era Town Hall built by Mordechai Maisel and envision the golden age of Prague’s Jewish community. Maisel, the mayor of the Jewish Quarter who became Rudolf II’s Minister of Finance, used his fortune to pave the ghetto’s streets, support Jewish organizations and provide charity for the needy. At the same time, Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel (1525-1609) became legendary in Europe for his prolific theological and philosophical writings. Rabbi Loew is celebrated in Prague folklore as the creator of Golem, a monstrous living being made from clay from the banks of the Vltava River. According to one version of the story, Golem was created to defend the Jews from anti-Semitic attacks.
As you continue to move through one of the largest collections of Judaica in the world, the paradoxes of the Jewish experience in Prague become manifest. In 1745, the entire Jewish population was expelled by Austrian Empress Maria Theresa. Yet, only a few years later, facing a financial recession, Prague’s residents demanded their return. In 1782, Maria Theresa’s son, Josef II, issued the Edict of Toleration, granting the Jews religious freedom, eliminating professional restrictions, and allowing Jewish children to attend schools and universities. A grateful community renamed the ghetto district “Josefov,” as it is still known today.
The increasing liberalism and toleration set in motion by Josef II were swamped by the genocidal nationalism of Nazi Germany. Prague’s Jewish community, at the moment of its greatest assimilation, was decimated by the Holocaust. Learn about the political, economic and ethnic tensions that led to Hitler’s invasion of Czechoslovakia and discuss the implementation of the Nazi’s “Final Solution” in Prague. Also hear about the Jewish experience during the communist years and look at the fragile revival of Prague’s Jewish community taking place today.
*Note to travelers with mobility issues: Please note that this tour as regularly offered includes walking up and down stairs that are sometimes very narrow and/or steep. If you believe you will have difficulties, please consider booking a private tour so that your guide can tailor the route to your limits and personal rhythm, leaving out some sites and focusing on other sites as needed.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Choice of morning and afternoon departure; please advise at time of booking
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions
(6)Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Stories of Jewish Prague Walking Tour?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-10847P6
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Average 4.91 out of 5 stars based on 22 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (6)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Destinations customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CEST).
- Historian guide.
- Food and drinks, unless specified.
- Gratuities.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Entrance fees to Jewish Museum and Old-New Synagogue (600 CZK/adults; 400 CZK/students).
The minimum age to participate is 1. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Stories of Jewish Prague Walking Tour is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Stories of Jewish Prague Walking Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Destinations. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Historian guide
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Entrance fees to Jewish Museum and Old-New Synagogue (600 CZK/adults; 400 CZK/students)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Choice of morning and afternoon departure; please advise at time of booking
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
- Operated by a business
