Spanish Synagogue, Synagogue in Josefov district, Prague, Czech Republic
The Spanish Synagogue is a Moorish Revival temple in the Prague district of Josefov, known for its rich ornamental wall paintings and golden patterns. A central dome spans the square prayer hall, while galleries on three sides provide additional space for worshippers.
The building was erected in 1868 on the site of the Old School, a medieval synagogue that had been demolished earlier. During the occupation years, the space was misused as a warehouse for confiscated Jewish goods.
The name comes from the Moorish design elements that echo the Sephardic temples of Spain and shape the entire interior appearance. Today the building serves as a museum and concert venue, where visitors walk through exhibits on Jewish life in Bohemia and Moravia.
Visitors can tour the temple on all weekdays, with opening hours varying by season. Access is usually through a combined ticket that covers several Jewish sites in the neighborhood.
The winter prayer hall houses a collection of over six thousand silver ritual objects, mostly crafted by Prague artisans across the centuries. This collection is among the most extensive of its kind in Central Europe.
Location: Prague 1
Location: Josefov
Inception: 1868
Architects: Vojtěch Ignác Ullmann, Josef Niklas
Official opening: 1868
Architectural style: Moorish Revival architecture, functionalism, historicism
Address: Dušní ulice, Staré Město, Praha
Website: http://jewishmuseum.cz/en/explore/sites/spanish-synagogue
GPS coordinates: 50.09036,14.42083
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29
The neo-Moorish architecture developed in the 19th and early 20th centuries, driven by European interest in oriental forms. This architectural movement combines Western building elements with Moorish decorative motifs: horseshoe arches, carved arabesques, geometric mosaics, and ornate stuccoes. This stylistic synthesis appears in a variety of structures, from places of worship to private residences, theaters, and city fortifications. The collection gathers representative examples from across Europe and beyond. In Marseille, the Alcazar Grand Theatre has displayed a façade decorated with oriental patterns since 1857. The Great Synagogue of Brussels, inaugurated in 1878, demonstrates the adoption of this style in Belgian religious architecture. In Germany, Drachenburg Castle near Bonn incorporates Moorish elements into a late 19th-century villa. The movement also reaches unexpected locations: Brighton’s Royal Pavilion blends Indian and Islamic influences for a British royal seaside residence, while rural farms in Hälsingland, Sweden, include ornaments inspired by this orientalist trend. From Pena Palace overlooking Sintra to the Justo Sierra Synagogue in Mexico city, these buildings exemplify the international spread of an architectural style that profoundly marked its period.
Prague brings together structures and public spaces from the Middle Ages to modern times. The historic center holds the Old Town Square with its astronomical clock, the castle on the hill, and Charles Bridge spanning the Vltava River. Churches, monasteries, and palaces show Gothic arches, Baroque facades, and Art Nouveau decoration. Streets open onto quiet courtyards and busy passages, while riverside promenades invite walks along the water. Museums hold art from different centuries, technical collections, and memories of the 20th century. The Spanish Synagogue and other religious sites speak to the city's religious heritage. Theaters and concert halls continue a long cultural tradition. From the Petřín Lookout Tower, you see the rooftops and parks spread below, while gardens such as Wallenstein Garden offer green retreats. Each neighborhood has its own rhythm, and walking remains the best way to discover the layers of history and daily life.
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