The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague

The greatest figures in European Jewish scholarship are at rest in the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague. However, its history is not the only thing that makes the place unique. An indescribable feeling, a certain spirit, also makes the cemetery one of the most important Jewish historical landmarks in Europe.

The Old Jewish Cemetery was founded in the first half of the 15^th century. The oldest tombstone dates from 1439 and belongs to scholar and poet Avigdor Kara. During its existence the cemetery has been expanded several times. However as the site was too small, additional soil had to be brought in and it is likely that several layers of the dead are buried on top of one another. Therefore the almost 12,000 tombstones there today are a mere fragment of the total number of graves. Among the most important figures buried in the cemetery are Judah Loew ben Bezalel, Mordechai Maisel, David Gans, Joseph Solomon Delmedigo and David Oppenheim.