The Old New Synagogue (; ), also called the Altneuschul, is an Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in Josefov, Prague, in the Czech Republic. The synagogue is Europe's oldest active synagogue. Completed in 1270, it is also the oldest surviving medieval synagogue of twin-nave design.

It is one of the earliest Gothic buildings in Prague. A still older Prague synagogue, known as the Old Synagogue, was demolished in 1867 and replaced by the Spanish Synagogue.

Etymology

The synagogue was originally called the New or Great Synagogue and later, when newer synagogues were built in the 16th century, it became known as the Old-New Synagogue.

Interior

Nine steps lead from the street into a vestibule, from which a door opens into a double-nave with six vaulted bays. This double-nave system was most likely adapted from plans of monasteries and chapels by the synagogue's Christian architects. The molding on the tympanum of the synagogue’s entryway has a design that incorporates twelve vines and twelve bunches of grapes, said to represent twelve tribes of Israel. Two large pillars aligned east to west in the middle of the room each support the interior corner of four bays. The bays have two narrow Gothic windows on the sides, for a total of twelve, again representing the twelve tribes. The narrow windows are probably responsible for many older descriptions of the building as being dark; it is now brightly lit with several electric chandeliers.

The vaulting on the six bays has five ribs instead of the typical four or six. It has been suggested that this was an attempt to avoid associations with the Christian cross. Many scholars dispute this theory, pointing to synagogues that have quadripartite ribs, and Christian buildings that have the unusual five rib design. A legend is told of a Nazi agent during World War II entering the genizah, but who perished mysteriously. In the event, the Gestapo apparently did not enter the attic during the war, and the building was spared during the Nazis' destruction of synagogues.

See also

  • History of the Jews in the Czech Republic
  • Old Synagogue (Prague), also known as the Spanish Synagogue
  • Oldest synagogues in the world

<gallery>

Old_New_Synagogue-back.jpg|The eastern facade

V10p157001 Prague.jpg|The Old New Synagogue before 1906

Old New Synagogue Rear.jpg|Rear with ladder to attic

Staronová synagoga.JPG|Old New Synagogue by painter

Prague Praha 2014 Holmstad flott Rabbi løvs stol chair rabbi Løv Loev Lov.jpg|Rabbi Loew's chair

Staronová synagoga -.JPG|View from the south-east

Interior of the Old New Synagogue in Prague.jpg|Interior

[V10p158001 Prague.jpg|View of the Synagogue interior with the "Jewish Flag" at left

Altneuschul Interior IMG 2913.JPG|View of the "Jewish Flag"

Prague Praha 2014 Holmstad - den gammelnye synagogen - old-new synagogue - Josefov - banner with jewish hat.JPG|Close up of the "Jewish Flag" with the "Jewish Hat"

</gallery>

Notes

References

Bibliography

  • The Old-New Synagogue, Jewish Community of Prague
  • Altneushul, Prague an architectural description by Carol Herselle Krinsky
  • The Altneuschul Synagogue – An art historical perspective of the world's oldest functioning synagogue a paper by Olivia Benes accompanying an academic project, Spring 2022
  • Altneuschul by Arno Pařík at The YIVO Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe
  • Altneuschul in Prague, Czech Republic at The Bezalel Narkiss Index of Jewish Art of the Center for Jewish Art
  • Altneuschul at edwardvictor.com includes photcards
  • Prague: The Synagogues by Gotthard Deutsch and Schulim Ochser at The Jewish Encyclopedia