Spanish Synagogue
On Gingerguide's self-guided Prague audio tour, Spanish Synagogue is a stop worth about ~60 min. Stand in front of it, press play for a short narrated story, and put any follow-up question to the built-in AI guide.
- Type museum
- Suggested visit ~60 min
- Prague Prague guide
About Spanish Synagogue
An 1868 synagogue dazzling with gilded Moorish-Revival decoration inspired by the Alhambra; called “Spanish” for its style, not its worshippers, who were a local Ashkenazi Reform congregation.
The Spanish Synagogue was built in 1868 in the Moorish-Revival style by architects Vojtěch Ignác Ullmann and Josef Niklas, on the site of the Altschul, believed to be the ghetto's oldest house of prayer, and it served the local Reform congregation. Its opulent interior, added between 1882 and 1883 by Antonín Baum and Bedřich Münzberger, covers the walls and central dome with gilded stucco arabesques, polychrome ornament and stained glass, inspired by the Alhambra and Moorish Spain.
Despite its name, the synagogue had no Sephardic congregation; “Spanish” refers to the decorative style, not the worshippers, who were Ashkenazi. Part of the Jewish Museum in Prague since 1955 and restored between 1995 and 1998, it now houses an exhibition on the modern history of the Czech Jews and serves as a concert hall. A bronze Kafka monument by Jaroslav Rona stands nearby.
Did you know? Despite the name, no Spanish or Sephardic Jews prayed here. The congregation was local, Ashkenazi and Reform; “Spanish” describes only the Moorish decorative style borrowed from the Alhambra and southern Spain.
How much time do you need at Spanish Synagogue?
Around ~60 min works well for Spanish Synagogue — time to look properly and listen to its story on the spot. Linger if you like; nothing on a self-guided walk is on a clock.
Should you stop at Spanish Synagogue?
Yes — Spanish Synagogue made the cut as one of 35 places the Gingerguide team researched and narrated across Prague. The story tells you why it is worth the stop, and the AI guide fills in anything you still wonder.
Nearby stops in Prague
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Spanish Synagogue and read more:
Day 2 of the Prague in 2 days itinerary →Day 2 of the Prague in 3 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Spanish Synagogue
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