Spanish Synagogue
The Spanish Synagogue of Prague was built between 1868 and 1893, and is located at the heart of the Josefov, the Jewish Quarter of Prague. The synagogue is called "Spanish" because of its Moorish style. It is currently administered by the Jewish Museum in Prague, the synagogue hosts exhibitions and concerts of classical music.
About this building
The current Spanish Synagogue is the most recent built in the Jewish Quarter of Prague. It was built on the site of an earlier synagogue which was demolished in 1867.
The architect Vojtěch Ignátz Ullmann gave the building a Moorish Revival style, which was very popular in the last quarter of the 19th century. It impressive interior design by Josef Niklas and Jan Bělský emulates Spanish Moorish interiors with walls covered by stucco arabesque with Islamic motifs, gold coating and polychromy, beautiful stained-glass windows, and a large central dome that fills the space with light.
After years of neglect during the Soviet era, this majestic building had fallen into disrepair. At the end of the 20th century, the Jewish Museum took over the management of the building and began a major restoration process that lasted until 2020.
It currently houses an exhibition dedicated to the Jews in the Bohemian Lands during the 19th and 20th centuries.
