overview opening hours admission programme about the place The Maisel Synagogue was built from 1590 to 1592 by the mayor of the Jewish Town, Mordechai Maisel, who funded the extensive Renaissance reconstruction of the ghetto. The original Renaissance building was seriously damaged by fire in 1689, and over the years the building has undergone a number of modifications. It serves as an exhibition space and storage facility for the Jewish Museum, and is also a venue for performances. opening hours january—march mon—fri 9:00—16:00 sat closed sun 9:00—16:00 april mon—fri 9:00—18:00 sat closed sun 9:00—18:00 may—august mon—fri 9:00—19:00 sat closed sun 9:00—19:00 september—october mon—fri 9:00—18:00 sat closed sun 9:00—18:00 october—december mon—fri 9:00—16:00 sat closed sun 9:00—16:00 In October, opening hours are 9.00—18.00 until 17 October; from 18 October, the time is 9.00—16.30. For more information on public holidays and days when the museum is closed, please visit the museum’s website. more about opening hours admission reduced Children 7—15 200 CZK free Children up to 6 basic 600 CZK reduced 400 CZK more about admission admission reduced Children 7—15 200 CZK free Children up to 6 basic 600 CZK reduced 400 CZK More information about admission Jews in the Bohemian Lands, 10th-18th Century Jewish Museum in Prague — Maisel Synagogue opening hours january—march mon—fri 9:00—16:00 sat closed sun 9:00—16:00 april mon—fri 9:00—18:00 sat closed sun 9:00—18:00 may—august mon—fri 9:00—19:00 sat closed sun 9:00—19:00 september—october mon—fri 9:00—18:00 sat closed sun 9:00—18:00 october—december mon—fri 9:00—16:00 sat closed sun 9:00—16:00 In October, opening hours are 9.00—18.00 until 17 October; from 18 October, the time is 9.00—16.30. For more information on public holidays and days when the museum is closed, please visit the museum’s website. history Maisel Synagogue — Jewish Museum It was built on the basis of Rudolf II privilege as a private synagogue of Mordechai Maisel, the primate of the Jewish community, in 1590—1592. The builder Juda Coref de Herz designed a Renaissance three-aisle building, unusual for the time, with distinct Gothicising features. The construction was conducted by Josef Wahl. Extensive and imposing synagogue was built on 20 pillars. The founder Maisel donated lots of precious ritual objects. The synagogue was re-built several times throughout the years. It burnt down completely in 1689, and during reconstruction after the fire, it was shortened to only 14 pillars. The main aisle was built on the old ground plan, vaulted over by a barrel vault; the side aisles had storey galleries. In 1862—1864, it was rebuilt by architect J. M. Wertmüller. The sanitation of Josefov at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries required a new, pseudo-Gothic reconstruction based on the design of architect Alfred Grott with false ribs, built-in gallery, new windows and new-Gothic interior equipment. During the World War II, the Nazis collected around 6000 objects of art from other 153 Czech and Moravian synagogues, of which they wanted to create an Anti-Jewish museum. The collection was handed over to the National Jewish Museum in 1950, which later presented a fixed exhibition named The Silver of the Czech Synagogues in the Maisel Synagogue. The interior went through a reconstruction in the 1960s, and a general renovation took place in the 1990s. At present, there is a fixed exhibition of the Jewish Museum in the synagogue, named History of the Jews in Bohemia and Moravia from the 10th century until the 18th century.