Pinkas Synagogue

Pinkas Synagogue is a historic synagogue in Prague’s Josefov (Jewish Quarter) now best known as a Holocaust memorial. It occupies a central place in the city’s Jewish Museum circuit and is notable for its interior covered with victims’ names.

The interior walls of the building are covered with the names of Czech and Moravian Jewish victims of the Holocaust - the memorial is the synagogue’s primary exhibit. An upstairs gallery presents drawings and documents related to children from Theresienstadt and other wartime materials.

The synagogue dates from the early modern period and served as a house of worship for Prague’s Jewish community before being adapted after World War II into a memorial and exhibition space. Its role shifted from regular prayer services to commemoration and museum use in the mid-20th century.

Sited in central Prague’s Josefov district, the synagogue sits next to the Old Jewish Cemetery and within the compact historic quarter immediately north of the Old Town.

• Memorial size: The memorial lists roughly 77,000 Czech and Moravian Jewish victims of the Holocaust, written across the synagogue walls and serving as the primary focus of visits.
• Location note: Located in Prague's Josefov (the Jewish Quarter), it is adjacent to the Old Jewish Cemetery and is administered as part of the Jewish Museum in Prague.

What to See #

• Holocaust Memorial: Contains a wall-mounted Holocaust memorial listing the names of Czech Jewish victims; the names cover the synagogue interior walls and are accompanied by brief inscriptions and memorial elements.
• Children's drawing gallery: An upstairs gallery displays drawings and other childrens artworks from Theresienstadt and related educational exhibits about Jewish life in Bohemia and Moravia.