Standing in the old Jewish Quarter in Prague, I was experiencing a flood of different emotions. History is all around as the area contains the oldest Jewish European synagogue, cemetery and other artifacts. It is some of the only surviving Jewish buildings of WWII, thanks to a bizarre and rather grotesquely ironic act of WWII.
Czechoslovakia was a protectorate of Germany, as a result of the the Munich agreement in which England, France, Italy and Russia traded Czech for protection. The Nazis decided to expand the existing Prague Jewish Museum to contain all of the Jewish artifacts they gathered with the unimaginable intention of creating a museum of an extinct race.
Now the world has a beautiful museum filled with Jewish treasures, yet surrounded by sorrow and loss. The artifacts are housed in several locations through out Prague’s Jewish Quarter, and no photos were allowed in most of the indoor areas.
The Old New Synagogue, built in the 1200's it was the new synagogue when it was build, now it is the "old" new
This is the Maisel Temple in Prague's old Jewish Quarter
The Old Jewish Cemetery was in use from the early 1400s until 1787. In the Jewish religion bodies cannot be unearthed and moved. So, as the cemetery become too small new graves were built on top of other graves, only the stones moved to the surface. It is estimated that there are approximately 12,000 tombstones presently visible, and there may be as many as 100,000 burials in all.
- The grave marker for Rabbi Low, probably the most famous of the graves here in the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague
Interestingly, Prague’s largest and possibly most beautiful synagogue does not reside in the Old Jewish Quarter. I blogged a few photos of Prague’s Jerusalem Temple today at my other blog: www.kibitzspot,com
All photos on this page © Rhonda Albom 2012
Travel Counter: We are in week 8 of our 250 day overseas adventure.
If you don’t want to miss a thing, the best options are:
- Click HERE to have each new post sent to your e-mail box.
- If you prefer your reader, click HERE to subscribe to Laugh Quotes feed
Travel with us as we laugh our way around the globe. I am Rhonda Albom, wife, mom, photographer and blogger, sharing the lighter side of our traveling family's life with two teens. 
A visit to the Jewish cemetery is a must. It is moving and beautiful
Lynne recently posted..Best Gold Evening Bags
And a bit bizarre.
Where ever you go, there’s always someone Jewish. You’re never alone when you say you’re a Jew. When you’re not home and you’re somewhere kinda newish, the odds, don’t look far, ’cause they’re Jewish too.
Joyce recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Time to Take the Keys
Joyce, you always make me laugh. thanks.
Very interesting about the tombstones and the way they keep using the same soil, it must be really high in places with all those interments?
It was quite high compared to the area around the cemetery.
Interesting post I enjoyed the photos
Hope you are feeling better now
stevebethere recently posted..WW – Educational Backfire
Thanks Steve, and yes, we are feeling much better.
That must have been a very moving day, it’s incredibly to think of all those burials, and all that history.
Tony Payne recently posted..I Became A Grandad For The First Time Today
It was pretty powerful.
Thanks for the post. I went to the Jewish Quarter in Prague when I was in college and it was a wonderful experience, sobering but memorable.
Thanks for stopping by on WW.
http://www.nycsinglemom.com/2012/05/15/celebrity-week-wordless-wednesday/
It is such an amazing place.
What an interesting tour filled with mixed emotions. There is so much history, and beauty in Prague. It is definitely on my wish list for places to visit. I can’t believe you’ve been gone for eight weeks already! Hope you’re feeling better! Julie
Julie recently posted..First Loves Blogfest
Thanks Julie. I can’t believe it either. I am not sure that 8 is actually correct. I think I lost count somewhere.
Wow….Amazing & beautiful trek through Czech Jewish history….Thanks for sharing this!
Art of RetroCollage recently posted..Silent City of Collage
Thanks for stopping by today.
Wow, that must have been something to experience in person.
Found your blog through the WW hop, following you
Megan@MondayMorningMusings recently posted..WW: when I die, I wanna come back as a squirrel
It was really powerful and amazing.
It’s nice to see your photos here! Prague is a great place to visit. I know you enjoyed your travel a lot!
Born27 recently posted..Internet Phone Calls
Have you been to Prague? Isn’t it lovely. Glad you are enjoying my travels.
Hi Rhonda! it’s not often you get to see a centuries old cemetary with that much history. Thanks for sharing this with us and enjoy your travel!
Heidi19 recently posted..Some Common Diseases That Can Affect Your Young Arowana
The old Jewish cemetery is one of the most unique sites I have ever seen. Glad you enjoyed my photos.
beautiful views and pictures
I only heard this but never see how beautiful the place is 
Dropping by from Wordless Wednesday
Jessica Cassidy recently posted..Can you tell what kind of feathers are they?
It really is a stunning city.