Prague’s Old Jewish Cemetery
The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague, nestled in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, is a significant landmark that draws innumerable tourists and history enthusiasts each year. Established in the early 15th century, around 1439, it served as the only burial site for Jews in Prague until 1787. This ancient necropolis is home to an estimated 12,000 tombstones, densely packed due to the lack of space, resulting in graves being stacked up to 12 layers deep.
Famous Figures
Amongst the prominent figures interred here are Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, renowned as the Maharal of Prague, and Mordecai Maisel, a philanthropist and leader of Prague’s Jewish community in the late 16th Century. The cemetery also has a unique array of tombstone artwork, which over the years, has become an important lexicon of Jewish symbology. With its palpable history and unique visual appeal, the Old Jewish Cemetery stands as a poignant reminder of the rich Jewish heritage that once flourished in Prague.
