Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague Travel Guide

Nestled in the heart of Prague's Jewish Quarter, the Old Jewish Cemetery is a poignant reminder of the city's rich Jewish history and the community's enduring legacy. Founded in the first half of the 15th century, it served as the primary burial ground for the Jewish community for over three centuries. Due to space constraints within the Jewish ghetto, burials were layered, sometimes up to 12 deep, resulting in a crowded, uneven landscape of tombstones.The cemetery is home to over 12,000 visible tombstones, though it's estimated that nearly 100,000 individuals are buried here. The oldest tombstone belongs to the poet and scholar Avigdor Kara, dating back to 1439. Among the notable figures interred here are Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, the renowned scholar and creator of the Golem, and Mordechai Maisel, the former mayor of the Jewish Quarter.The cemetery ceased burials in 1787 when Emperor Joseph II forbade burials within the city walls for hygienic reasons. Today, the Old Jewish Cemetery is part of the Jewish Museum and stands as a powerful testament to the resilience and cultural heritage of Prague's Jewish community. Visitors often leave wishes on pieces of paper at the tomb of Rabbi Loew, hoping for their fulfillment.