Pinkasova synagoga Synagogue

Welcome. You're standing in front of one of the most important and exciting places in the city. At this moment, when you're looking at the Pinkas Synagogue building, you're in the heart of a historic Jewish neighborhood, where every wall and every stone seems to carry deep and often painful stories. Feel this atmosphere. It has a sense of calm, but also of immense serious importance. This building is not just another historical object in the panoramic view of Prague. It is a living witness of centuries, who survived both ups and downs, natural disasters and the darkest chapters of human history.

Now let's go back to the deep past to understand how this place came to be. Pinkasova synagoga is the second oldest preserved synagogue in Prague. Its roots date back to the first half of the sixteenth century. In 1535, it was built by Aharon Mesulam Horovice, a man whose name remained written in the history of this place thanks to this construction. Originally, the synagogue was built in a late Gothic style, which carried its typical verticality and spiritual ascension, but over time the elements of the Renaissance got in. This combination of styles gives the building its unique character, which you can perceive even now when you are looking at its face.

But the history of this place is not static. The building was constantly changing along with the needs of the community and the outside world. In 1607 the extensive Renaissance enlargement started, which gave the construction additional dimensions and space. In the next centuries, the synagogue supplemented its beauty and functionality with other details. Note, for example, the forged grate that Joachim von Popper donated in 1793. This element is not only an ornament, but a symbol of care and respect that individuals have given to this sacred place.

Now pay attention to how the building had to deal with the relentless force of nature. In the middle of the nineteenth century, namely in 1860, Prague had to deal with devastating floods. These events also had a direct impact on the synagogue. In order to protect itself and to ensure its continued existence, a significant reconstruction had to take place in which the floor of the building was raised. This technical change, although practical, has significantly affected the internal space you are visiting today. The architecture of this place is therefore the result of a constant dialogue between human faith, artistic expression and constant efforts to preserve the monument in a challenging environment.

Now that you're looking at the building, you might be wondering how this place turned from a regular prayer to a monumental monument. This transformation is one of the most important aspects that you will experience here. The synagogue is currently managed by the Jewish Museum in Prague and its main function is to serve as a piety monument of Czech Jews who became victims of the Shoa. This role began to form in 1954, when the creation of a monument was started right on the walls of the synagogue.

What awaits you inside is an experience that cannot be easily described by words. Names are engraved on the walls of the synagogue. Names that can no longer speak alone, but that remain so that the world will not forget them. The names of 78 000 Czech Jews who fell victim to Nazi persecution are listed here. The total number of victims for which this space serves as a monument exceeds 80,000 people. When you move inside and your eyes meet these names, you realize the incredible weight of this place. Each name represents one life, one family and one history that has been violently interrupted.

If you decide to proceed to the first floor, you will encounter another incredibly strong exposure. Here you will find a creation that belongs to children. Specifically here you will see 4,387 children's drawings. This part of the exhibition offers a deep contrast to the seriousness of the names on the walls. It is a view of innocence, of the world through the eyes of the youngest who were part of this tragic history. It's a reminder of humanity trying to tell its story through colors and simple shapes, even when it was so brutally attacked.

You may realize that this place is not only about sadness, but especially about memory and how humanity retains its integrity even in the darkest times. The figures such as Václav Boštík or Jiří John are associated with the history and meaning of this whole, and although their stories may seem distant, their reference within this historical space is undeniable.

The interesting thing that you might find interesting when you look at the building is the constant transformation. Pinkasova synagoga is not just a static monument from 1535. It is a petrified whole where gothic spiritual depth, Renaissance elegance, nineteenth-quarter resistance to floods and modern need to preserve the memory of the tragic events of the twentieth century. Every era has put a piece of its own identity in the building.

So now I cordially urge you to enter. Leave yourself to the V8 silence in these spaces. Let the names on the walls penetrate your heart and pay attention to the children's drawings upstairs. Let's just watch, feel and think. Pinkasova synagoga has something to offer if you approach it with respect and open mind. Thank you for joining us on this short journey of history, and we wish you a deep and moving experience during the next tour.