Pinkas Synagogue Synagogue

Website: https://www.jewishmuseum.cz

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.

Pinkas Synagogue is in Prague’s Josefov (Old Jewish Quarter), adjacent to the Jewish Museum. Use Metro Line A to Staroměstská (about a 5-10 minute walk) or take central trams that stop at Staroměstská; the synagogue and surrounding sites are all within easy walking distance around Old Town.

• Visit the Pinkas Synagogue first thing in the morning or late afternoon to avoid tour‑group peaks; the memorial walls with the names of Holocaust victims are most moving when you have space and quiet to read.
• Respect the site's solemn character: keep voices low and stay mindful of photography restrictions in memorial areas; many visitors miss the small educational displays that explain the inscriptions unless they slow down and read.
• Combine your visit with the Old Jewish Cemetery and other sites in the Josefov circuit using a single ticket - this lets you avoid repeating entry queues and see the context of the synagogue's exhibits.