The Old-New Synagogue in Prague

The Old New Synagogue or Altneuschul (Czech: Staronová synagoga; German: Altneu-Synagoge) situated in Josefov, Prague, is Europe's oldest active synagogue. It is also the oldest surviving medieval synagogue of twin-nave design. Completed in 1270 in gothic style, it was one of Prague's first gothic buildings. A still older Prague synagogue, known as the Old Synagogue, was demolished in 1867 and replaced by the Spanish Synagogue. The Jewish Quarter in Prague, known as Josefov, is located between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River. Its history dates from the 13th century. The synagogue was originally called the New or Great Synagogue and later, when newer synagogues were built in the 16th century, it became known as the Old-New Synagogue. Another explanation derives the name from the Hebrew עַל תְּנַאי (al tnay), which means "on condition" and sounds identical to the Yiddish "alt-nay," or old-new. According to legend angels have brought stones from the Temple in Jerusalem to build the Synagogue in Prague—"on condition" that they are to be returned, when the Messiah comes, i.e., when the Temple in Jerusalem is rebuilt and the stones are neededThe Prague Jewish town represent a unique complex of Jewish monuments. The Prague ghetto and the Jewish community has continued from the early Middle Ages up to our days. Today there are only about 3.500 jews in the Czech Republic, about 1000 in Prague. (Wikip. m.fl.)

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Filename: old_new_praha_synagogue.jpg
Copyright: Bente Haarstad
Image Size: 4402x3302 / 2.6MB; Bohemia Böhmen Bøhmen Czech EU Europa Europe European Union Holocaust Jewish monuments Josefov Judea Ketil Prague Praha Sentral-Europa The Jewish Quarter in Prague The Old-New Synagogue The Prague Jewish town The Prague ghetto Tschechien Tsjekkia Tsjekoslovakia architecture arkitektur capital catholic church democratic demokrati den jødiske bydelen i Praha exciting history gudshus historie historisk by hovedstad jøder jødisk katolikk katolsk largest city mai reiseliv religion sightseeing synagoger synagogue the Czech Republic the Old Town tourisme travel tsjekkisk turisme Česká republika
Contained in galleries: Synagogues in Europe

The Old New Synagogue or Altneuschul (Czech: Staronová synagoga; German: Altneu-Synagoge) situated in Josefov, Prague, is Europe's oldest active synagogue. It is also the oldest surviving medieval synagogue of twin-nave design. Completed in 1270 in gothic style, it was one of Prague's first gothic buildings. A still older Prague synagogue, known as the Old Synagogue, was demolished in 1867 and replaced by the Spanish Synagogue. The Jewish Quarter in Prague, known as Josefov, is located between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River. Its history dates from the 13th century. The synagogue was originally called the New or Great Synagogue and later, when newer synagogues were built in the 16th century, it became known as the Old-New Synagogue. Another explanation derives the name from the Hebrew עַל תְּנַאי (al tnay), which means "on condition" and sounds identical to the Yiddish "alt-nay," or old-new. According to legend angels have brought stones from the Temple in Jerusalem to build the Synagogue in Prague—"on condition" that they are to be returned, when the Messiah comes, i.e., when the Temple in Jerusalem is rebuilt and the stones are neededThe Prague Jewish town represent a unique complex of Jewish monuments. The Prague ghetto and the Jewish community has continued from the early Middle Ages up to our days. Today there are only about 3.500 jews in the Czech Republic, about 1000 in Prague. (Wikip. m.fl.)