Pinkas Synagogue – Prague Jewish Quarter

A visit to the Pinkas Synagogue in Prague's Jewish Quarter is a deeply moving and essential experience for anyone exploring the city's past. As the second oldest preserved synagogue in Prague, the Pinkas Synagogue stands as a testament to centuries of Jewish heritage and resilience. Built in the late Gothic style in 1535 by Aaron Meshulam Horowitz, a prominent figure in the Prague Jewish Community, the synagogue holds a significant place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike.

Restored to its original form between 1950 and 1954, the Pinkas Synagogue underwent a profound transformation in the following years. From 1955 to 1960, it was turned into a poignant memorial to the nearly 80,000 Jewish victims of the Shoah from the Czech lands. The memorial inside is a solemn tribute that honors the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust. Through various displays, the synagogue bears witness to the unimaginable suffering endured by countless individuals and families during this dark chapter of history.

One of the most impactful exhibitions is Children's Drawings from the Terezín Ghetto. This touching display focuses on the fate of Jewish children incarcerated in the Terezín ghetto during World War II, showcasing drawings created by the young prisoners between 1942 and 1944. These poignant artworks offer a glimpse into the innocence and resilience of children facing incomprehensible adversity, serving as a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and persecution.

You’ll also discover Journeys with No Return: The Deportation of Jews from the Czech Lands, 1939-1945, an outdoor exhibition documenting the deportations of Jews from the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia to ghettos, concentration camps and extermination camps in German-occupied Eastern Europe. Through photographs, documents and real-life stories, this exhibition sheds light on the harrowing experiences of those forcibly removed from their homes and sent to their tragic fates.

A visit to the Pinkas Synagogue is not only an opportunity to pay homage to the victims of the Holocaust but also a chance to reflect on the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of such adversity.