Page 92 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Prague

90  PR A GUE AREA B Y AREA

6 Old-New Synagogue
Staronová Synagoga

Built around 1270, this is the oldest syna­
gogue in Europe and one of the earliest
Gothic buildings in Prague. The synagogue
has survived fires, the slum clearances of
the 19th century and many Jewish pogroms.
Residents of the Jewish Quarter have often had
to seek refuge within its walls and today it
is still the religious centre for Prague’s Jews.
It was originally called the New Synagogue . Jewish Standard
until another synagogue was built nearby – The historic banner of Prague’s
this was later destroyed. Jews is decorated with a Star
of David and within it the
hat that had to be
worn by Jews in the
Rabbi Löw and 14th century.
the Golem
The scholar and philosophical
writer Rabbi Löw, director of the
Talmudic school (which studied
the Torah) in the late 16th century,
was also thought to possess
magical powers. He was supposed
to have created a figure, the
Golem, from clay and then
brought it to life by placing a
magic stone tablet in its mouth.
The Golem
went berserk
and the
Rabbi had to
remove
the tablet.
He hid the
creature
among the
Old-New
Synagogue’s
Rabbi Löw and the Golem rafters.

KEY
1 Candlestick holder
2 14th-century stepped
brick gable
3 These windows formed part of
the 18th-century extensions built to
allow women a view of the service.
4 The tympanum above the
Ark is decorated with 13th-century
leaf carvings. . Five-rib Vaulting
5 The cantor’s platform and its Two massive octag-
lectern is surrounded by a wrought- onal pillars inside the
iron Gothic grille. hall support the five-
rib vaults.

090-091_EW_Prague.indd 90 20/03/17 11:31 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.2)
Date 23rd October 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm