Ceremonial Hall: A Window into Prague's Jewish History

The Ceremonial Hall, or Obřadní síň in Czech, stands in the heart of Prague's Josefov, the Jewish Quarter. Built in 1911-12 in the Neo-Romanesque style, it was designed by architect J. Gerstl for the Jewish Burial Society (Hevra Kadisha). The building replaced an older structure that served the same purpose. Originally, the hall served as a place for ritual purification of the dead and housed meeting rooms for the Burial Society. The Prague Jewish Burial Society, established in 1564, was the first in the world to perform burial ceremonies for any Jewish person in the city. Until World War I, the Ceremonial Hall was used for its original purpose. In 1926, the Jewish Museum in Prague acquired the building, transforming it into an exhibition space. Today, it houses exhibits about Jewish traditions and customs, focusing on the Prague Burial Society and historical collections. The exhibits include items with beautiful arabesque patterns and Hebrew inscriptions. Note that the Klausen Synagogue and the Ceremonial Hall are temporarily closed as of July 1st, 2024. A new exhibition is planned for the Ceremonial Hall at the end of 2025.