The Jewish Museum is becoming one of the top attractions in all of Prague for travelers visiting the city. In fact in 2010, The Jewish Museum was the most visited museum in all of the Czech Republic with over 560,000 visitors. Clearly there is much to see as these kinds of numbers don't come out of thin air. The collection of Jewish history here tells the story of the Jewish community in Prague and the perseverance of its people. This important museum is open from 9AM to 4:30PM in the winter time and from 9AM to 6PM in the summer and is open every day of the week except Saturday and of course Jewish Holidays. There are six separate sites that make up the museum and many permanent and temporary exhibitions that can be seen.
Originally established in 1906, The Jewish Museum became a place where Jewish artifacts from all over the region were sent during World War II during Nazi occupation. After World War II the Museum became property of the state which until 1989 fell under communist rule and thus was extremelyrestricted. After the fall of the communist party the museum started to become the vast and important museum that it is today. This is a museum that is hugely important and even symbolic of the Jewish community here in Prague. With such a turbulent and ever changing past until recently, there is no question that the museum today stands as a symbol of perseverance for the Jewish citizens of this great city. The transfer of the museum to the Jewish community from the state in 1994 has given this important institution back to the community it belongs too.
The museum overseas The Maisel Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, Klausen Synagogue, Ceremonial Hall (Prague Burial Society Building), Spanish Synagogue, Robert Guttmann Gallery and the Education and Culture Centre. These are all very important sites to the history of the Jewish people here in Prague and these sites display exhibitions and serve as places of worship for the Jewish faith and are essentially the home of the Jewish community within the city.
For some of the best Czech Jewish Art of the 19 th and 20 th Centuries, The Robert Guttman Gallery is the place to be. Post-war and Contemporary Art are prominently featured here as well and the modern gallery is a nice place to come and visit. What is even better is the fact that one can buy a pass from the Jewish Museum that allows exploration of all of the sites over a 7 day period, making exploring the many important attractions an attractive proposition. This is a great way to see some of these important historical and cultural sites with one cheap ticket that will open your eyes to the culture of the Jewish community here in Prague. With so many great sites to see, this weekly pass is a no brainer, and remember to check the museums website for more information and seasonal exhibits.
