Neighbourhoods at a Glance - Prague and Czech Republic - page 202

Staroměstská) , Europe's oldest surviving Jewish graveyard (pictured). Founded in the
early 15th century, it has a palpable atmosphere of mourning even after two centuries
of disuse (it was closed in 1787); however, remember that this is one of Prague's most
popular sights, so if you're hoping to have a moment of quiet contemplation you'll
probably be disappointed. Around 12,000 crumbling stones (some brought from other,
long-gone cemeteries) are heaped together, but beneath them are perhaps 100,000
graves, piled in layers because of the lack of space.
The most prominent graves, marked by pairs of marble tablets with a 'roof'
between them, are near the main gate; they include those of Mordechai Maisel and
Rabbi Loew. The oldest stone (now replaced by a replica) is that of Avigdor Karo, a
chief rabbi and court poet to Wenceslas IV, who died in 1439. Most stones bear the
name of the deceased and his or her father, the date of death (and sometimes of buri-
al), and poetic texts. Elaborate markers from the 17th and 18th centuries are carved
with bas-reliefs, some of them indicating the deceased's occupation - look out for a
pair of hands marking the grave of a pianist.
Since the cemetery was closed, Jewish burials have taken place at the Jewish Ce-
metery in Žižkov. There are remnants of another old Jewish burial ground at the foot
of the TV Tower in Žižkov.
You exit the cemetery through a gate between the Klaus Synagogue and the Cere-
monial Hall.
Ceremonial Hall & Klaus Synagogue
Built in 1912, the Ceremonial Hall OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (Obřadní síň;
9am-6pm Sun-Fri Apr-Oct, to 4.30pm Nov-Mar; 17) was formerly the mortuary for the
Old Jewish Cemetery, and is the site of an interesting exhibition on Jewish traditions
relating to illness and death. The neighbouring baroque Klaus Synagogue
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (Klauzová synagóga; www.jewishmuseum.cz ; U
starého hřbitova 1; 9am-6pm Sun-Fri Apr-Oct, to 4.30pm Nov-Mar; 17, 18) houses a good
exhibit on Jewish ceremonies of birth and death, worship and special holy days.
Maisel Synagogue
A block to the southeast of the Ceremonial Hall and Klaus Synagogue lies the neo-
Gothic Maisel Synagogue OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (Maiselova synagóga;
Maiselova 10; 9am-6pm Sun-Fri Apr-Oct, to 4.30pm Nov-Mar; Staroměstská) , which re-
placed a Renaissance original built by Mordechai Maisel, mayor of the Jewish com-
munity, in 1592. It houses an exhibit on the history of the Jews in Bohemia and