Confronted by the Pinkas Synagogue, you’re standing before a building that whispers stories of faith, loss, and resilience. This isn’t just another Prague synagogue. The Pinkas Synagogue is a memorial. It stands as the second-oldest surviving synagogue in Prague’s Jewish Quarter. Its history stretches back to 1535.
The Pinkas Synagogue started as a private oratory. The Horowitz family, a prominent Jewish family in Prague, built it. Aharon Meshulam Horowitz decided to replace his family house with a proper synagogue. The Pinkas Synagogue was named after a family member.
Look closely. You’ll notice the blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles. The reticulated vault is late Gothic, yet the ornaments hint at the Renaissance. Between 1607 and 1625, the synagogue expanded. A vestibule, a women’s section, and a balcony were added in Renaissance style. Juda Coref de Herz designed the annex. He also designed the Maisel Synagogue.
Imagine frequent floods. The synagogue’s floor was below ground level. In 1860, the floor was raised 1.5 meters to combat the constant water damage. During World War II, the Pinkas Synagogue became a storehouse. Jewish liturgical utensils were kept here after Jewish services were banned. The synagogue also served as a repository for monuments collected from Czech and Moravian communities.
Now, focus on the walls. After the war, the Pinkas Synagogue transformed into a memorial. Painters Václav Boštík and Jiří John covered the walls with the names of 77297 Bohemian and Moravian Jewish victims of the Shoah. Each name represents a life. Each name is a story. The memorial opened in 1960 but closed in 1968 after the Soviet occupation. It reopened in 1995. The inscriptions damaged by moisture were restored.
Ascend to the first floor. You’ll find an exhibition of children’s drawings from the Theresienstadt Ghetto. Friedl Dicker-Brandeis, a Bauhaus-trained painter, led drawing lessons. She encouraged children to express their experiences. These drawings offer powerful testimony about life in the ghetto. Most of these children died in Auschwitz. Dicker-Brandeis hid the drawings. About 4500 pictures survived.
Step outside after dusk. See the projection of photographs of Shoah victims onto the mikveh wall. This moving display is visible from Široká Street. The Pinkas Synagogue also features a digital extension. An information kiosk allows you to search for victims’ names and view their portraits.
The Pinkas Synagogue stands as a testament. It is a place of remembrance. It ensures that the stories of those lost are never forgotten. It connects us to the past. It reminds us to honor their memories.