Jewish Cemetery

Tucked away behind high walls in the heart of Josefov lies the Old Jewish Cemetery, one of the most hauntingly beautiful and historically significant sites in Prague. Established in the early 15th century and used until 1787, it is the oldest surviving Jewish cemetery in Central Europe—a rare and moving reminder of the long and often turbulent presence of the Jewish community in Bohemia.

What makes this cemetery so extraordinary is the sheer density of the graves. Due to limited space and the religious prohibition against disturbing burial sites, burials were layered atop one another—up to 12 layers deep. Around 12,000 visible tombstones crowd the sloped ground, though as many as 100,000 individuals are thought to be buried here. The uneven, tightly packed headstones tilt at odd angles, forming a chaotic yet poetic landscape of stone and memory.

Many gravestones are adorned with intricate Hebrew inscriptions and symbolic carvings—lions for strength, trees for lives cut short, or books to signify scholars. Among the most notable graves is that of Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, known as the Maharal of Prague, a 16th-century scholar and mystic famously associated with the legend of the Golem—a mythical creature said to have been formed from clay to protect the Jewish community from harm.

Wandering through the cemetery is a contemplative experience, a step into a world where faith, memory, and loss are literally carved into stone. Together with the adjacent Ceremonial Hall and surrounding synagogues, the cemetery forms part of the Jewish Museum in Prague, offering a powerful and unforgettable window into centuries of Jewish life.

Standing at the cemetery’s entrance, the Ceremonial Hall was built in the early 20th century by the Prague Burial Society (Chevra Kadisha). It once served as the place where funeral rituals and purification rites were performed before burials. Today, it hosts exhibitions on Jewish burial customs and the vital role the Burial Society played in communal life. Its dark Romanesque Revival architecture lends a solemn dignity to the site.

A walk through the Old Jewish Cemetery is a profoundly moving journey—a quiet, shadowed world that speaks volumes about resilience, remembrance, and the enduring strength of spiritual tradition.

💡 Top Tip: As you wander through the cemetery, pay attention to the intricate symbols carved into the gravestones—each one holds a deep meaning, from lions to books, representing strength, knowledge, and more. While photography is allowed, remember to approach with respect, as this sacred space is not just a historical site but a resting place for many, still deeply revered by the Jewish community.

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🎟️ Tickets – Jewish Quarter (Jewish Museum in Prague)

3 day ticket includes entry to: Old Jewish Cemetery, Ceremonial Hall, Spanish Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue, Klausen Synagogue & Robert Guttmann Gallery (except Old-New Synagogue - separate ticket)

👤 Adults: 600 Czk
👶 Children (6–15): 200 Czk
👵 Seniors / Disability Card Holders: 100 Czk
👩‍🎓 Youth (16–26): 400 Czk
🕒 Opening Hours: Daily 9:00–18:00 (summer time), 9:00–16:30 (winter time); Closed Saturdays and Jewish holidays
🌐 Buy tickets online
📍 On-site: Tickets available at Information Centre (Maiselova 15) and all included sites

🎟️ Tickets – Old-New Synagogue only

👤 Adults: 500 Czk
👶 Children (6–15): 370 Czk
👩‍🎓 Students:370 Czk
🕒 Opening Hours: Sun–Thu 9:00–19:00 (closed Saturdays and Jewish holidays)
📍 On-site: Tickets available at Information Centre (Maiselova 15) and all included sites

✡️ Official Jewish Museum Guided Tour

👤 Adults: 900 Czk
👶 Children (6–15): 500 Czk
👩‍🎓 Students (under 26): 700 Czk
🕒 Duration: 2.5 hours
📍 Starts: 10:30 am & 16:00 at Jewish Museum Information Centre (Maiselova 15)
🌐 Buy tickets online
📍 On-site: Tickets available at Information Centre (Maiselova 15) and all included sites

✡️ Private & Specialized Tours

🕎 Jewish Quarter Walking Tour (GetYourGuide)
👤 From 1,620 Czk per person
🕒 Duration: 2.5 hours
🌐 View tour & buy tickets

🕎 Jewish Heritage Tour (Private-Prague-Guide.com)
👤 3,200 Czk (per group of 1-6 people),  3,600 Czk (per group of 3-4 people), 4,000
      Czk (per group of 5-10 people),
🕒 Duration: 2.5 hours
🌐 View tour & buy tickets

🕎 iVisitPrague Custom Private Tour
👤 5,300 Czk (per group of 1-6 people)
🕒 Duration: 3.5 hours
🧭 Fully customizable itinerary
🌐 View tour & buy tickets