Spanish Synagogue: A Moorish Revival Masterpiece in Prague

Located in the heart of Prague's Jewish Quarter, the Spanish Synagogue stands as one of the most visually striking synagogues in Europe. Constructed in 1868 on the site of the Old School, the oldest synagogue in the Jewish Quarter, it was designed by Vojtěch Ignác Ullmann and Josef Niklas in the Moorish Revival style. The synagogue's name is derived from its architectural style, which draws inspiration from the art and architecture of the Moorish period in Spanish history. The exterior boasts a tripartite facade and twin onion-domed towers, creating a visual connection to Vienna's Leopoldstädter Tempel. The interior is richly decorated with Islamic-style arabesques, intricate geometric patterns, and vibrant colors. The stained-glass windows, designed by Antonín Baum and Bedřich Münzberger, add to the synagogue's beauty. The Torah ark is a masterpiece with its design derived from Alhambra. In 1955, the synagogue was repurposed as part of the Jewish Museum in Prague. It houses a permanent exhibition, 'Jews in the Bohemian Lands, 19th-20th Centuries,' which chronicles the history of Jews in the region from the reforms of Joseph II to the post-World War II era. The exhibition highlights their journey toward emancipation, the rise of Czech-Jewish and Zionist movements, and profiles prominent Jewish figures. The functionalist building adjacent to the synagogue, built in 1935, once served as a Jewish hospital and now forms part of the museum complex. Despite facing neglect during the Nazi occupation and Communist rule, the Spanish Synagogue has been meticulously restored. It reopened in 1998 and continues to serve as a museum and a venue for classical concerts, where its exceptional acoustics and striking decor enhance each performance.