Pinkas Synagogue

With its refined Gothic-Renaissance style, Pinkas Synagogue was built in 1535 for one of Prague’s Jewish leaders. Originally designed for his family’s private use, it was later opened to accommodate the growing number of Jewish worshippers. If you have the chance to visit the Jewish Museum of Prague, be sure to walk through the Pinkas Synagogue—experiencing it is just as important as seeing it. Since the 20th century, it has been transformed into a memorial, where the names of 80,000 Czech Jews, victims of the Nazi genocide, cover the entire interior walls. In addition to this heart-wrenching tribute, the synagogue also houses a deeply moving exhibition, where you’ll find drawings of Jewish children, imprisoned in one of the country’s concentration camps.