Ancient Jewish Cemetery

The Old Jewish Cemetery of Prague, located in the heart of the Jewish quarter of Josefov, is one of the most evocative and historically rich places in the city. Founded in 1439, the cemetery is one of the oldest in Europe and one of the most important for Jewish history and culture. Walking among its carved tombstones is like taking a journey through time, through centuries of memory, devotion, and tradition. The cemetery was used until 1787, when Emperor Joseph II prohibited burials within the city for hygienic reasons. Over these three centuries, the Jewish cemetery became the final resting place for about 100,000 people, although only about 12,000 tombstones are visible. The lack of space and the Jewish law prohibiting the removal of existing tombstones led to a unique layering: it is estimated that the deceased are buried in stacked layers up to ten levels. One of the most fascinating features of the Old Jewish Cemetery is the variety of its tombstones. They range from the simplest and oldest, often with only inscriptions in Hebrew, to the more elaborate and richly decorated ones. The inscriptions and decorations reflect not only Jewish piety, but also the professions and characteristics of the deceased. For example, a carved pair of scissors may indicate a tailor, while a crown may suggest descent from a priest. Among the most illustrious figures buried in the cemetery, one of the most important is Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, known as the Maharal of Prague. Born around 1520 and died in 1609, Rabbi Loew is a legendary figure in Jewish history, famous for his philosophical, Talmudic, and Kabbalistic works. According to tradition, he was the one who created the Golem, a clay creature animated to protect the Jewish community of Prague from persecution. His tomb, adorned with a small structure and numerous stones left by visitors as a sign of respect, is one of the most revered and visited in the cemetery. Another prominent figure buried in the Old Jewish Cemetery is David Gans, a 16th-century astronomer and historian who collaborated with famous scientists such as Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler. His works significantly contributed to the spread of scientific knowledge within the Jewish community of the time. The cemetery itself, with its leaning tombstones and dense vegetation, creates a unique and touching atmosphere. Every stone tells a story, and the collection of tombs forms a mosaic of memories reflecting the long and complex history of the Jews of Prague. During World War II, the cemetery, like the rest of the Jewish quarter, was seriously threatened by the Nazis, who planned to turn the area into an “extinct museum of an extinct race.” However, the cemetery survived the war, becoming a powerful symbol of resistance and cultural continuity. The preservation of the Old Jewish Cemetery has been a continuous challenge. Over the centuries, various interventions have been necessary to preserve the tombstones and the structure of the cemetery. Today, the site is managed by the Jewish Museum of Prague, which takes care of maintenance and promotes knowledge of Jewish history and culture through guided tours and educational events. The Josefov district, where the cemetery is located, is also of great historical interest. It was in 1850 that the area was officially named Josefov, in honor of Emperor Joseph II, whose edict of tolerance in 1781 significantly improved the lives of Jews in the region. Before that period, the district was known as the Jewish ghetto and represented the center of Jewish life in Prague, with its synagogues, schools, and markets.