Josefov

At the northern edge of Staré Mesto is the district Josefov, that used to be a Jewish ghetto. In the 15th century the Jews where very oppressed, the severe laws where somewhat relieved by Josef II, that is why the district was named after him. In the late 19th century, the whole area, except for the Jewish town hall, the cemetary and the synagogas were destroyed because it was a sanitary risk.


Staronová Synagoga (the New Old Synagoga) at Parizská in Josefov from 1270 is Europe´s oldest synagoga and also the first gothic building in Prague! It is a religious center for the Jews even today and has for a long time protected Jews. The famous researcher Rabbi Löw used to sit in a chair in the synagoga. Note the new Mercedes in the front.


Parizská is probably the most exclusive street in the whole Prague.


Not only because of these buildings; the stores, the cars and the restaurants looked very exclusive. Parizská goes between Josefov and Old Town Square.


S:t Agnes Church at S:t Agnes from Bohemia Abbey (Kláster sv. Anezky Ceské) in Josefov.
The abbey is almost a small town in itself with its quiet narrow cobble streets and yellow old buildings with restaurants and pubs. We sat down here for a while to eat some delicious ultra cheap cakes that we bought in the department store.


Looking up the curvy roof of the abbey, one of Böhmen's first buildings in gothic style. Agnes, who founded this abbey was the sister of king Václav I. Nowadays, it is used by the national gallery as a museum for Bohemian art.


The tragic Jewish cemetary. Many famous Jewish people are buried there. Unfortunately it is very crowded, because they didn't get space enough 12 000 tombs are erected upon each other. That is because this was the only area where Jews where allowed to be buried.


The gate to the Jewish cemetary. It was now starting to get dark.


Old buildings reflecting in a gold coloured glass facade.


Different architectural styles and heights in Josefov.


More beautiful buildings.


This Lamborghini Gallardo is a contrast to all small and midsized cars of Prague.


A government house between Josefov and the Old Town.


Cechuv most. There are columns and statues both on and below this nice bridge.
In the background is Letná Park, across the river from Josefov, with its huge
metronome, that is almost as unpopular as the statue of Stalin that stood there
before the revolution.