Josefov, Jewish quarter in Staré Město, Prague, Czech Republic
Josefov is the former Jewish ghetto of Prague, the smallest cadastral area of the city at 8.81 ha, enclosed by the Old Town. Of the medieval quarter only six synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Old Jewish Town Hall survived the demolition of 1893–1913; the rest was rebuilt in early 20th-century style. The surviving buildings now form part of the Jewish Museum in Prague.
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.
Josefov lies within Prague 1, enclosed by the Old Town, and covers only 8.81 hectares, so the six surviving synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Jewish Town Hall can be covered on foot in a single circuit. The quarter is bounded by the Vltava bend, and the streets are short, so orientation is simple. Several interiors are reached by stairs.
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.
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