A neighbourhood with a hard history
Josefov was Prague's Jewish quarter for centuries, and it's one of the best-preserved historic Jewish quarters left in Europe — largely because much of the community's records, ritual objects and synagogues survived the Second World War even as the vast majority of Prague's Jewish population did not. Walking here is as much about that history as it is about architecture, and it's worth approaching with that in mind.
The Old Jewish Cemetery
In use from the 15th to the 18th century, the cemetery is startlingly dense — space was so limited that graves were layered on top of one another over generations, leaving thousands of tightly packed, tilting headstones. It's one of the most visually striking sights in Prague, and one of the most solemn.
The synagogues
The Old-New Synagogue, dating to the 13th century, is thought to be the oldest active synagogue in Europe. The Pinkas Synagogue serves as a memorial, its interior walls inscribed with the names of tens of thousands of Czech and Moravian Jewish victims of the Holocaust — a quiet, heavy space worth setting time aside for rather than rushing through.
Practical notes
Most of Josefov's synagogues and the cemetery are covered by a single combined ticket through the Jewish Museum in Prague, which is generally better value than paying per site if you plan to see more than one. Sites are closed on Saturdays (Shabbat) and Jewish holidays, so check before you plan your visit around this neighbourhood specifically.