New Ceremonial Hall in Olšanské hřbitovy, Crematorium in Žižkov district, Czech Republic
The New Ceremonial Hall is a crematorium in Prague's Žižkov district, built in the Romanesque Revival style with ornate columns, decorative grilles, and intricate doors. The facility includes an office, a funeral chapel, preservation chambers, and an incinerator to serve families of the deceased.
The crematorium was built between 1906 and 1908 to replace an older facility that had long served the Prague Jewish Community. The new structure was completed during a time when burial practices were modernizing and new cremation technology was becoming accepted.
The building displays exhibits about Jewish burial practices through a collection of fifteen paintings from the 1700s that show traditional funeral processions. These works give visitors a window into the religious rituals and customs that shaped community life.
The site provides a separate glass viewing area where additional mourners can participate in ceremonies when the main hall is full. Check the opening times and access rules before visiting, as the facility is primarily used for funeral services.
The building features a glass window system that lets mourners participate in a ceremony without entering the main hall, allowing them to attend discreetly. This design choice from the early 1900s was particularly practical for larger funeral services and shows how the architecture adapted to different needs.
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