Židovská zahrada, Archaeological site and Jewish cemetery in New Town, Czech Republic
Židovska zahrada is a Jewish cemetery in Prague's Old Town where gravestones from different periods stand closely packed together across the grounds. The burial site contains thousands of grave markers arranged in multiple vertical layers due to space constraints that required burials to be stacked in the same plots over time.
This cemetery began its use in 1478 as a burial ground for Prague's Jewish community and continued for more than three centuries. In 1787, Emperor Joseph II banned burials within Prague city walls for sanitary reasons, which ended the active use of this site.
The gravestones display Hebrew inscriptions and symbolic decorative elements that reveal personal details about the deceased, including their names, occupations, and life spans. These carvings offer a window into how the community remembered and honored its members across centuries.
The cemetery is situated between Pinkas Synagogue and Klausen Synagogue, with accessible entry available through the Klausen Synagogue location. Visitors should wear comfortable footwear since the ground is uneven and walking requires navigating carefully between tightly spaced gravestones.
Among the thousands of people buried here are some notable historical figures, including Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel and mathematician David Gans. These prominent community members left marks on European scholarship and Jewish life during the medieval period.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
