Old New Synagogue

The Old New Synagogue or Altneuschul, located in the Jewish Quarter (Josefov) of Prague, is the oldest synagogue in Europe that continues to be a house of prayer. The name Altneuschul is rather strange and is supposed to be the German word for ‘old and new school’. The story goes that when the structure was completed in the 13th century, it was a new synagogue. However, by the 16th century, several other such establishments of prayer were constructed in the city of Prague and it thus transformed into the ‘Old New Synagogue’. With its twin nave design, it also happens to be the oldest surviving medieval place of worship. Encapsulated by a plethora of legends and myths, this massive stone structure has sheltered the Jewish community of Prague for over seven hundred years.

The synagogue is popular majorly because Franz Kafka was a regular visitor during his time in Prague. As a matter of fact, his Bar Mitzvah was supposedly celebrated right here. The glass case, reminiscent of Moses’ stone tablets that contained The Ten Commandments, located in the western end of the main hall of the synagogue is replete with several tiny light bulbs that light up on a person’s death anniversary if their relatives have paid for the feature. One of these lights is dedicated to Kafka. His would certainly shine the brightest.