Josefov, Historic Jewish quarter in Staré Město, Prague, Czech Republic.
Josefov is a district in Prague's Old Town with six synagogues, including the Old-New Synagogue from the 13th century and the Spanish Synagogue featuring Moorish design elements. The area also contains an old cemetery and several museum buildings housing collections.
The community developed from a settlement in the 13th century and underwent major changes through urban renovation projects in the late 19th century. These efforts created the district as it appears today.
The name reflects Emperor Joseph II's influence on the community through his reforms. Today, the layout of streets and buildings reveals how people lived and gathered for celebrations and daily practices.
The district is easy to explore on foot, with clear paths connecting the main buildings and museums. Watch for narrow streets and stairs in older buildings as you visit.
The old cemetery contains thousands of tombstones layered on top of each other, showing the tight space constraints of the time. Visitors can see firsthand how people lived for centuries in a very confined area.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
