Page 90 - DK Eyewitness Travel Guides - The World's Must-See Places

Old-New Synagogue, Prague
88 EUROPE

Built in around 1270, this is the oldest surviving synagogue
in Europe and one of the earliest Gothic buildings in Prague
(Gothic Style, see p.54). The synagogue has survived fires,
slum clearances in the 19th century, and several Jewish
pogroms. R esidents of the city's Jewish Quarter (Josefov)
have often had to seek refuge within its walls and today it
is the religious center for Prague's Jewish community. It was
called the New Synagogue until another synagogue w as built
Star of David in
nearby- this was later destroyed. Cerveml Street

l<Al Five-Rib vaulting

l<Al Right-hand nave
A Old-New Synagogue seen
from the eastern side

Fourteenth-
century stepped
bride gable
Tympanum
£iii Jewish Standard Located above the
The historic banner of Ark, this is decorated
Prague's J<?Ws is decor a ted with 13th-century
with the S tar of David and leaf carvings.
within it the hat that had
to be worn by J<?Ws in the
14th century.

Windows
These formed part of the
18th-century extensions
built toallcmwornen a
vi<?W of the service . ....__ .........

Candlestick
holder Cantor's Platform
This, and its lectern, are
surrounded by a wrought-
iron Gothic grill.

-< Entrance Portal
The lympanum abwe the
door in the south vestibule
is decorated with clusters
of grapes and vine I eaves
growing on twisted branches.