Old New Synagogue
| Old New Synagogue Staronová synagoga | |
|---|---|
 View from the north-west with Jewish Town Hall to rear. | |
| Religion | |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Active Synagogue |
| Location | |
| Location | Prague, Czech Republic |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Gothic |
| Completed | 1270 |
| Website | |
| Jewish Museum | |
The Old New Synagogue in Josefov, Prague (also called the Alt-neu Shul, the Altneuschule or Altneusynagoge in German, or Staronová synagoga in Czech) is Europe's oldest active synagogue.
Completed in 1270 in gothic style, it was one of Prague's first gothic buildings[citation needed]. It was originally called the New or Great Shul. When newer synagogues were built in the 16th century, it became known as the Old-New Synagogue[citation needed]. A still older synagogue, known as the Old Shul, was demolished in 1867 and replaced by the Spanish synagogue.
Interior
Nine steps lead from the street into a vestibule, from which a door opens into a rectangular nave with six vaulted bays. Two large pillars aligned east to west in the middle of the room each support the interior corner of four bays. The bays have two narrow Gothic windows on the sides, for a total of twelve, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The narrow windows are probably responsible for many descriptions of the Altneu Shul as being dark and dingy, but it is now brightly lit, with several electric chandeliers.
The bimah from which Torah scrolls are read is located between the two pillars. The Aron Kodesh where the Torah scrolls are stored is located in the middle of the customary eastern wall. There are five steps leading up to the Ark and two round stained glass windows on either side above it. A lectern in front of the ark has a square well a few inches below the main floor for the service leader to stand in.
The synagogue follows orthodox custom, with separate seating for men and women during prayer services. Women sit in an outer room with small windows looking into the main sanctuary. The framework of the roof, the gable, and the party wall date from the Middle Ages.
An unusual feature is a large flag on a standard at the west pillar bearing a Star of David, the text of Shema Yisrael, and a Jewish hat, the last a symbol of the Jewish community in Prague since the 15th century. The right to carry a flag, a symbol of community autonomy, was granted by Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor in recognition of the services of the Jews in the defense of Prague against the Swedes. The current flag was presented to the Jews by Charles VI (the flag now on display is a replica).
Golem of Prague
It is said that the body of Rabbi Judah Low ben Bezalel's Golem lies in the attic where the genizah of Prague's community is kept. Synagogue tour guides have dismissed this as legend, suggesting that no one takes it seriously. The attic is not open to the general public.
Gallery
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The eastern facade.
References
- Pražské Synagogy/Prague Synagogues, Arno Pařík, Jewish Museum in Prague, 2000, ISBN 80-85608-33-2
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty|title=(help)