Old New Synagogue
Synagogue Medieval Prague synagogue, one of Europe's oldest active
Prague’s medieval Jewish Quarter houses the Old New Synagogue, a 13th-century Gothic synagogue still used for worship; visitors come for its vaulted stone interior, historic gravestones nearby and the synagogue’s role in European Jewish history.
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The Old New Synagogue (Staronová synagoga) in Prague is one of the oldest active medieval synagogues in Europe, built in the late 13th century. It is a principal historic and religious landmark of Prague’s Jewish Quarter.
Constructed in the late 1200s, the synagogue has functioned as the primary communal synagogue for Prague’s Jewish population through successive historical periods and has remained in continuous use. It survived urban changes and wartime pressures and retains important historic fixtures and inscriptions.
The synagogue sits in Josefov, Prague’s historic Jewish Quarter, adjacent to other heritage sites and a short walk from Prague’s Old Town.
- Active synagogue: Services are still held regularly and the synagogue is an active place of worship within Prague's historic Jewish Quarter, so visitors should observe standard protocols for visiting a functioning religious site.
How to Get to Old New Synagogue #
The Old New Synagogue (Staronová synagoga) is in Prague’s Jewish Quarter (Josefov), a short walk from Old Town Square. The closest metro is Staroměstská on Line A - the synagogue is roughly a 5-7 minute walk from that station.
The site is also easily reached on foot from central Prague attractions and from nearby tram stops serving the Old Town area.
Tips for Visiting Old New Synagogue #
- Buy a Prague Jewish Museum combination ticket (which typically includes entry to several synagogues) or check ticketing options in advance-the Old-New Synagogue is part of the broader Jewish Museum circuit.
- Visit early in the morning to avoid peak tourist groups and remember the synagogue is an active place of worship; check service times and Jewish holidays to avoid closures to tourists.
- Be respectful inside: keep voices low and follow any posted rules about photography and behavior since the building remains an active religious site.
Best Time to Visit Old New Synagogue #
Visit weekday mornings in the shoulder seasons for the quietest experience; the site is busiest in summer.
Weather & Climate near Old New Synagogue #
Old New Synagogue's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (503 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C. The driest month with just 21 mm and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. The wettest month with 74 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
