It is impossible to date precisely the jews’ arrival in prague, but historical sources mention the destruction of a Jewish settlement on the Vltava’s left bank in the 13th century. For the next 500 years, Prague’s Jews were obliged to live in a walled community where the Josefov quarter is today, working, studying and worshipping in the confines of the ghetto. So restricted was their allotted space that they were obliged to bury their dead layer upon layer in the Old Jewish Cemetery. When Emperor Josef II removed these strictures, many Jews left the ghetto, which became a slum occupied by the city’s poorest residents. The quarter was razed in the late 19th century, making way for avenues such as Pařížská with its fine Art Nouveau houses. During World War II, the synagogues stored valuables looted from Jewish communities across the Reich – nearly 80,000 Czech and Moravian Jews perished in the Holocaust (see The Jews in Prague).
Much of this area suffered from flooding in 2002 and reconstruction work may affect some of the sights normally open to visitors. The Old Jewish Cemetery, Ceremonial Hall, Maisel, Pinkas, Spanish and Klausen synagogues comprise the Jewish Museum in Prague
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Bohemian CarnivalHeld at venues in the heart of the city centre, Prague's Bohemian Carnival offers a lot more than costumes and street parades. A great programme of events, divided into four sections, entertains... Read more
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Prague MarathonAwarded the IAAF Road Race Silver Label in 2008, the Volkswagen Prague Marathon is ranked among the best ten races in the world. Thousands of runners from the Czech Republic and all over the world... Read more
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Khamoro - World Roma FestivalFirst held in 1999, Prague's Khamoro festival brings the most vibrant gypsy sounds, rhythms and culture from around Europe to the Czech capital. Read more
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Prague Spring International Music FestivalThe Prague Spring International Music Festival is one of the great post-war festivals, held at venues like the State Opera House. It honours Bedrich Smetana, father of Czech music, with its... Read more
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