We had private tour. Guide was outstanding even to the point of carrying our bag and umbrella. Very knowledgeable.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Historian guide
Excludes
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Entrance fees to Jewish Museum and Old-New Synagogue (600 CZK/adults; 400 CZK/students)
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Please meet your guide outside Jewish Museum Information Center and Cafe Maiselova 38/15, 110 00 Josefov.
Itinerary
Also visit the Renaissance-era Town Hall built by Mordechai Maisel and envision the golden age of Prague’s Jewish community. Maisel, the mayor of the Jewish Quarter who became Rudolf II’s Minister of Finance, used his fortune to pave the ghetto’s streets, support Jewish organizations and provide charity for the needy. At the same time, Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel (1525-1609) became legendary in Europe for his prolific theological and philosophical writings. Rabbi Loew is celebrated in Prague folklore as the creator of Golem, a monstrous living being made from clay from the banks of the Vltava River. According to one version of the story, Golem was created to defend the Jews from anti-Semitic attacks.
As you continue to move through one of the largest collections of Judaica in the world, the paradoxes of the Jewish experience in Prague become manifest. In 1745, the entire Jewish population was expelled by Austrian Empress Maria Theresa. Yet, only a few years later, facing a financial recession, Prague’s residents demanded their return. In 1782, Maria Theresa’s son, Josef II, issued the Edict of Toleration, granting the Jews religious freedom, eliminating professional restrictions, and allowing Jewish children to attend schools and universities. A grateful community renamed the ghetto district “Josefov,” as it is still known today.
The increasing liberalism and toleration set in motion by Josef II were swamped by the genocidal nationalism of Nazi Germany. Prague’s Jewish community, at the moment of its greatest assimilation, was decimated by the Holocaust. Learn about the political, economic and ethnic tensions that led to Hitler’s invasion of Czechoslovakia and discuss the implementation of the Nazi’s “Final Solution” in Prague. Also hear about the Jewish experience during the communist years and look at the fragile revival of Prague’s Jewish community taking place today.
*Note to travelers with mobility issues: Please note that this tour as regularly offered includes walking up and down stairs that are sometimes very narrow and/or steep. If you believe you will have difficulties, please consider booking a private tour so that your guide can tailor the route to your limits and personal rhythm, leaving out some sites and focusing on other sites as needed.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Our tour of the Prague Jewish Quarter was amazing. Our tour guide (Amalie) shared her knowledge of history along with her personal experience in Prague. We learned so much and appreciate the history of Jewish people in Prague. I would highly recommend this tour.
Old synagogue was the most interesting, then the cemetery/memorial was sobering . The story of the local community was informative as well
Amalka was a wonderful guide, knowledgeable about both the historical and contemporary Jewish community in Prague. It was fascinating to tour with beautiful sites.
This was a truly special and memorable into the unique and fascinating history of the Jewish population. of Prague. Presented by a wonderful tour guide, born in Prague and a knowledgeable member of the city's Jewish community, it was a heartfelt relating of the experience of those Jews who called Prague home throughout the centuries. It was delivered with a firm, thoughtful, personal understanding of all that the people residing in the Jewish Quarter and environs have gone through over rehears. I wholeheartedly recommend this tour for anyone, regardless of their ethnic background, to take advantage of.
Great tour with a great guide and lots of stories about the Jewish history of Prague. Highly recommended tour.
As a local, I've walked through Prague's Jewish quarter endless times, but other than the Golem legend I never really knew much about its history. During this tour, I had the opportunity to visit some of the most important Jewish attractions in the city, starting with the Old-New Synagogue (still active today!) and ending at the Jewish Cemetery. Our guide Nina was very knowledgable and explained everything about Prague's Jewish heritage, from the Jews arrival to Prague to their presence in the modern days. Even in the museum spaces, she always gave us insight into each exhibit, so we were never left wondering what was the meaning of a certain object. I left wanting to know more about this community with books and movie recommendations that Nina mentioned along the tour. The ticket to the Jewish quarter also gives you access to the Spanish Synagogue, but unfortunately, it was closed for renovations during our visit. I would definitely recommend this tour if you want an inside view of Prague's Jewish history!
I thought I sent this in, but if I didn't, I didn't want to miss the opportunity. Martina was among the best guides we have ever had in Europe. Bright, articulate, informative, kind, respectful, and a pleasure to be with. Every quality you want in a guide. Hope we expressed ourselves clearly.
Martina was among the best Guides we have ever used in Europe. She was personable,intelligent, informed, professional, and very aware of our needs, and interests. Could not possibly have had a better experience!
Martina was absolutely awesome!!She is knowledgeable, interesting, fluent, and has a great sense of humor!My husband and I really enjoyed her tour of Jewish Prague this morning.
Marlina was a fantastic tour guide. She was like a walking encyclopedia. I learned SO MUCH! My wife and I cannot say enough good stuff about Marlina. The tour itself is rich in fascinating Jewish history. I recommend this tour, especially if it possible to have Marlina as your guide. Dr. & Mrs. Kevin Passer Hattiesburg, Mississippi USA
<p>Tour was fantastic. The guide was amazing. We learned so much. <br/> It was the highlight of our trip.</p>
<p>This was the best tour I have had so far and cannot stress enough how excellent Martina was. She was so knowledgeable and passionate and she made this tour the highlight of our visit to Prague. The history of Jewish Prague came alive and we thank Martina so much for a truly outstanding tour.</p>
<p>While our guide did have some interesting stories and history to tell us, she was somewhat verbose and talking on a very intellectual level, assuming we already knew some of the history of Jewish Prague. While we were very pleased that our guide showed us all of the sights in the Jewish section, the scheduled 3 hour tour took 4 hours. She had an in-depth knowledge of the history of the area, but her admitted lack of knowledge of any Jewish religious practices and rituals compromised the effectiveness of her presentations.</p>
<p>This was one of the most interesting, informative, and moving experiences I've had in my many travels. Our guide Petr was wondering and obviously very passionate and knowledgeable. My husband and I had a private tour as we were the only people who signed up that day, and we loved it. We toured the Jewish Cemetery and all the synagogues/museums while learning a ton. The cost for entrance to everything was 500 CZK per person. You will be on your feet the entire time, but it is very relaxed...mostly standing and walking at a relatively slow pace, so it would be fine for most people. I would highly recommend this tour.</p>
<p>This was a wonderful way to get the history and background of the old Jewish quarter.<br/> There were only 3 of us and our guide answered all questions with great knowledge of the places and events of the past.<br/> Well worth it.</p>
<p>Our guide, Katerina Prusova, did an outstanding job of bringing to life the history of Jews in Prague. Having access to the old Jewish cemetery was a added plus and the tour of the synagogues and museums was phenomenal. Highly recommend!</p>
<p>Definitely worth the day trip from Prague even though it was a long ride. Our tour guide was fantastic and relagated us with stories and history of the entire region from Prague to Cesky Krumolov. It was amazing that she talked for three hours pointing out significant landmarks so that it wasn' t just a bus ride. The Castle felt that it was right out of the movies.</p>
<p>there were only 4 people on tour----guide was great---tour interesting<br/> only thing I would change is to have time in gift shop</p>
<p>A well structured and comprehensive tour, covering all the Jewish museums and the Old-New synagogue. Bonita was an excellent guide, crafting her content very professionally, and covering history, culture and architecture in a really interesting and engaging way. She has chosen to make this lovely city home, which offered unique insights and perspectives. The wet weather was scarcely noticeable. Certainly a highlight of this visit.</p>
<p>This was hands down the best tour I've ever done in any country. It turned out to be a private tour due to low booking numbers, but instead of feeling awkward or difficult it was fascinating! Bonita was highly knowledgeable and friendly - within minutes we were chatting like old friends. She also gave me some tips of places to go after we parted ways which was very kind. The tour itself was engaging and helped contextualise the sights visited. Due to the nature of the tour, it was also very moving and emotional. I thought Bonita struck the right balance between personal stories and a 'bigger picture' of the history of the Jewish people in Prague. The final stop of the tour, the Spanish Synagogue, was just breathtaking inside. I can't praise this tour highly enough and will be looking out for the company in other European Cities!</p>
<p>Bonita was exceptionally well informed and offered an abundance of historical and relevant to today information. She was personable and engaging and one of the better guides we have toured with. My husband and I both highly would recommend her and this tour to anyone interested in detailed and thorough information about Jewish Prague.</p>
<p>Bonita did a fine job of conveying the historical, political, and human sides of the story of the Prague Jewish experience. My wife and I were the only two persons on this tour so we benefitted from the personal attention. I would highly recommend this tour to everyone interested in this aspect of our history.</p>
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