Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left
Façade
Centre
Vaulting
Right
Nave
Features in the Old-New Synagogue
Rabbi Loew's
Chair
Topped with a Star
of David, the tall
chair found by the
eastern wall has
been reserved for
Prague's chief rabbis
throughout the
synagogue's history.
Entrance
The Biblical
inscription “Revere
God and observe
His commandments!
For this applies to
all mankind” admon-
ished worshippers
entering and leaving
the synagogue.
Jewish
Standard
Prague's Jewish
community was
permitted a banner in the 15th
century as a symbol of its
autonomy. The copy hanging
above the Bimah replicates a
1716 original, featuring a Jewish
hat within a six-pointed star and
the legend
“Shema Yisroel .
Vaulting
To avoid the
sign of the cross, a
fifth rib was added
to the nave's vaulting, decorated
with vine leaves and ivy.
Rabbi Loew's Chair
Women's Windows
Women were not permitted
in the nave of the synagogue,
but sat in the vestibule. Narrow
openings in the wall allowed
them to follow the services.
Nave
Twelve narrow windows,
evoking the 12 tribes of Israel,
line the perimeter walls, which
are unadorned, save for the
abbreviation of Biblical verses.
Two central pillars are modelled
on the façade columns of the
Temple of Jerusalem.
Bimah
A pulpit stands on this dais
in the centre. From here the
rabbi reads the Torah and
performs wedding ceremonies.
Attic
Legend has it that Rabbi
Loew stashed the remains of the
Golem
(see p52)
under the
synagogue's large saddle roof.
Ark
Behind the curtain on the
eastern wall are the Torah scrolls,
which are kept in the holy ark.
The tympanum features foliage
and grape motifs, also found in
nearby St Agnes's Convent
(see
pp28-9)
, and date from the
synagogue's construction in the
late 13th century.
Josefov Town Hall
Adjacent to the synagogue
is the Jewish Town Hall. The
façade clock's hands run counter-
clockwise - or clockwise, if you
read Hebrew
(see p99)
.
For more Places of Worship
See pp38-9
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