Pinkas Synagogue (Prague)

Judah Goldschmied

1535

Front view of building exterior with curved tile roof and arched windows and metal fence around perimeter. — The Pinkas Synagogue is the second-oldest extant synagogue in Prague. It is believed that a synagogue was found in that location as early as 1492. The structure now housing the synagogue was built by the wealthy Aaron Meshullam Horowitz and his wife Neḥama in 1535. There are different theories as to the origin of the synagogue’s name. One is that it was named after Horowitz’s grandson, Pinkas Horowitz. Built in the late gothic style, it is believed to have been designed by the prominent German architect Benedikt Ried of Pistov. In the seventeenth century, the synagogue was expanded to include a women’s gallery and antechambers, and its circular and semi-circular windows were added. This photograph dates from a much later period, after the façade of the synagogue was refurbished.

Rear view of exterior building with curved tile roof, arched windows and metal fence around perimeter. — The Pinkas Synagogue is the second-oldest extant synagogue in Prague. It is believed that a synagogue was found in that location as early as 1492. The structure now housing the synagogue was built by the wealthy Aaron Meshullam Horowitz and his wife Neḥama in 1535. There are different theories as to the origin of the synagogue’s name. One is that it was named after Horowitz’s grandson, Pinkas Horowitz. Built in the late gothic style, it is believed to have been designed by the prominent German architect Benedikt Ried of Pistov. In the seventeenth century, the synagogue was expanded to include a women’s gallery and antechambers, and its circular and semi-circular windows were added. This photograph dates from a much later period, after the façade of the synagogue was refurbished.

The Pinkas Synagogue is the second-oldest extant synagogue in Prague. It is believed that a synagogue was found in that location as early as 1492. The structure now housing the synagogue was founded by the wealthy Aaron Meshullam Horowitz and his wife Neḥama in 1535. There are different theories as to the origin of the synagogue’s name, including that it was named after Horowitz’s grandson, Pinkas Horowitz. Built in the late gothic style, it was expanded between 1607 and 1620 by Jewish architect Judah Goldschmied to include a women’s gallery and antechambers, and its circular and semi-circular windows were added. These photographs date from a much later period, after the façade of the synagogue was refurbished.

Credits

Prague, 1625. Front view. © Pyty / Shutterstock.com.
Prague, 1625. Rear view. © Viktor Onyshchenko / Alamy Stock Photo.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.

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Prague, Holy Roman Empire (Prague, Czech Republic)

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Creator Bio

Judah Goldschmied

d. 1625

Judah Goldschmied, also known as Juda Coref (or Zoref) de Herz, was an architect in Prague, one of the few Jewish architects of the time. He was responsible for designing the Maisel Synagogue in 1592 and the expansion of the Pinchas Synagogue in the early 17th century. He is buried in the cemetery adjacent to the Pinchas Synagogue.

Pinkas Synagogue (Prague)

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