Josefov is an area of central Prague, formerly the Jewish ghetto. Originally dating back to the 13th century, most radical changes were made after the former Jewish quarter in Prague was incorporated into the city in 1850 and was named Josefstadt (Joseph's city) in honor of Emperor Joseph II.
When the wealthy Jews moved out of the former ghetto, it soon became a slum as other poor people moved in. By 1890 the former Jewish quarter had a population of 186,000 people, but only 20% of them were Jewish. In 1893 the city decided to completely demolish the whole Josefstadt quarter, leaving only 6 synagogues, the old Jewish cemetery, the Ceremonial Hall and the Old Jewish Town Hall, which are collectively known as the Jewish Museum.
Important sightseeings and places in Josefov.
Franz Kafka's birthplace.
High Synagogue: 16th century synagogue.
Jewish Town Hall: 18th century Rococo town hall.
Klaus Synagogue: 17th century baroque synagogue.
Maisel Synagogue: 16th century synagogue destroyed by fire, now used as a museum.
Pinkas Synagogue: 16th century synagogue, now a memorial to Holocaust martyrs.
Spanish Synagogue: 19th century synagogue with Moorish interior.
Old Jewish Cemetery: 15th-18th century cemetery. Europe's oldest surviving Jewish cemetery.
Old New Synagogue: 13th century gothic synagogue.
Josefov Image Tour
