Pinkas Synagogue, Prague

The Pinkas Synagogue, nestled within the historic Jewish Quarter of Prague, Czech Republic, is a poignant memorial and museum dedicated to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust from Czechoslovakia. This hallowed space, originally founded in 1535 by Rabbi Pinkas, serves as a somber reminder of the atrocities faced by the Jewish community during World War II.

Upon entering the synagogue, visitors are immediately confronted with the heartrending sight of walls inscribed with the names of over 77,000 Jewish victims. These meticulously handwritten names, coupled with their birth and death dates, cover the entire interior in a silent but powerful tribute. The act of recording these names was a painstaking process, initiated in 1954 and intended to preserve the memory of those who were lost.

The Pinkas Synagogue also houses a deeply moving exhibition of drawings and paintings. These artworks were created by children who were held in the Terezín concentration camp, providing a unique and touching perspective on the experiences of the youngest victims of the Holocaust.

Beyond its function as a memorial, the synagogue also provides insight into the history of the Jewish people in the Czech lands. It is part of the Jewish Museum in Prague, which includes several other historic sites in the vicinity, offering a comprehensive look into the cultural and religious heritage of the Jewish community before the war.