Jewish Quarters Tour

On Monday, 10/4, my English professor had arranged a tour of the nearby Jewish Quarters since we have an upcoming chapter on Jewish themed literature.

First off, was The Old-New Synagogue. Built in early Gothic style around the middle of the 13th century, it became known as this when other synagogues were later built in Prague. The main hall is the only existing medieval type hall of its kind.

 Old-New Synagogue

Then we passed by King Solomon, a kosher restaurant, that Michelle Obama dined at during a past visit to Prague.

King Solomon Restaurant

Then we went to the Pinkas Synagogue, which has entire walls covered in small type with thousands of names of Holocaust victims. Then, in the Klausen Synagogue, which was the largest synagogue in Prague's Jewish Town and served as the Bural Society. Outside is the Old Jewish cemetery, where thousands are buried. The Pinkas Synagogue was turned into a memorial after WWII to the Jews of Bohemia and Moravia murdered by the Nazis. The Old Jewish cemetery has 12,000 tombstones and several more buried. The oldest tombstone marks poet and scholar Avigdor Kara from 1439. Most prominently, are also Mordechai Maisel (Mayor of the Jewish Town, 1601), David Gans (Renaissance scholar, 1613), Josef Solomon Delmedigo (scholar and historian, 1655), and David Oppenheim (rabbi and Hebrew manuscripts collector, 1736).

Pinkas Synagogue

Old Jewish Cemetery

Next was the Spanish synagogue, and another gallery with walls covered with the text of true life stores. Built in a Moorish style, the synagogue includes an exhibition on the "History of the Jews in Bohemia and Moravia from Emancipation to the Present." And, next was the Ceremonial Hall, which is now an exhibition space. The exhibition is of "Jewish Customs and Traditions."

 Spanish Synagogue

Ceremonial Hall

Jewish street vendors down the street

And, finally we went to the Maisel Synagogue. Originally built in a Renaissance style, it has seen been renovated to a psuedo-Gothic style. It now is used by the Jewish Museum as exhibition space and a depository.

(I was not allowed to take pictures of the interiors of any of these buildings.)

Me, the tour guide

On Friday, 10/1, we slept in a little, but I had a busy day planned for us. I wanted to show Alex a bunch of the main places of Prague. So I took her on a little tour...

First we went to Old Town Square and walked there. We saw the astronomical clock as well as my 2 school buildings. We then went to the Jewish Quarters - I've never actually taken a tour of this place, so I wasn't very informative during this part. Plus, it was a Jewish holiday that day, so everything was closed. I did know we were in the right place though, because the buildings had Jewish stars on them! We then went to a certain, very interesting museum... (Sarah, you will be glad to hear I finally took your advice and went!)

 Old Town Square!

Next we walked down to Wenceslas Square (and shopped in the H&M) and I also took Alex to the gardens where they have that great ice cream. Then, we met up with Laura, and later Kim and walked to the Charles Bridge. The weather was great that day and cooperating with all of our walking! We crossed the bridge over the Vltava River into the Lesser Quarters and had lunch at this little Italian place called Carmelita.

 Alex and I on the Charles Bridge

Risotto with roasted chicken breast and vegetables, parmesan cheese, and spring onions.

Next up? A tour of Prague Castle. We walked up Nerudova Street (Royal Way or Kings Road), that is on a steep incline, and features the typical cobblestone on a narrow road with ancient burgher houses on one side, and a great view on the other side. Finally, one huge hill later, we were at the castle and cathedrals there.

The view from Nerudova Street!

It was quite an exhausting day, and we were long overdue for a nap when we finally got back to Machova that night!