High Synagogue (Prague)

The High Synagogue, Czech synagoga Vysoká, is a synagogue in Prague, which was built in 1568.

Specifications

The High Synagogue is located in Prague's Josefov Cervena 1 ( Josefstadt ) next to the Jewish Town Hall. On the other side of the street is the Old New Synagogue. These three immediately adjacent buildings form the central Jewish monuments of Prague. The High Synagogue is located on the first floor. There is an almost square hall room with high vaulted Renaissance, which is characterized by lunettes and stucco. The central space is clearly divided by pilasters and windows, the Bima is located in the center of the room and the seats are arranged all along the walls. The interior has its appearance can best preserved of all the synagogues of Prague from the Renaissance period.

An early Baroque Torah shrine from 1691 is located on the east wall with a symbol of the Torah crown and inscription cartouche in the tympanum. The original color scheme could be made visible again in the restoration of 1982. On the south end of the 17th century was built a women's gallery with its own access stairs.

On the second floor of the building there is a study.

History

The High Synagogue, was given by the Board of the Jewish community in Prague, Mordechai Maisel in order. It was completed according to reports by David Gans 1568. The building was built originally from Italy builder Pankratius Roder, which was supported by local masons under the guidance of Master Rada. Since she was from the upper floor of the Jewish Town Hall accessible, it was obviously for meetings of the Council of Elders, perhaps also used for the rabbinical court. For the public, it was closed. The name of the synagogue derives both from its unusual location on the first floor, as well as their high-ranking significance for the management of the Jewish community. Mordechai Maisel also donated for the synagogue numerous silver appliances and Torah scrolls.

After a fire, a new Torah shrine was erected in 1691, built the women's gallery with a separate staircase and thus enlarged the house of God. The chandelier dates from the 18th century. 1883 was rebuilt by the architect J. M. Wertmueller, that should make up the access from the town hall and built a new staircase. During the slum clearance of the Jewish town, the synagogue was incorporated in 1907 and rebuilt in the building block of the new development. The entrance is now possible from Just opposite the Old-New Synagogue page, the rest were bricked. During the Second World War, the original interior of the synagogue was destroyed. After the end of the war the synagogue came into the ownership of the Czechoslovak state. From 1945 to 1950 services were held here again, the building was used for exhibitions of the Jewish Museum, were shown mainly synagogue textiles. With several renovations during the communist time, step by step original paintings and stucco decorations were exposed.

In 1994, the Jewish community back the High Synagogue and let them renovate. Since 1995, it serves as Alltagsbethaus for the rabbinate and the employees of the municipality. Here also find weddings, circumcisions and on festive occasions meetings were held. The women's gallery in the building next door was also replaced.