This is our entry in Dutch goes the Photo!’s Tuesday Photo Challenge — Worship.
We recently visited the Jewish Quarter in Prague. One of the (many) stops was the Old-New Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in Central Europe. The building — constructed in 1270 — is in the gothic style and was build by hired Christian workers since Jews were not permitted to participate in the building trades.
The photo below shows a raised platform used for Torah reading during services. The large red banner was given by Charles IV, in honor of the Jewish community’s service.
An interesting aside about this synagogue is that, in around 1600, Rabbi Lowe is said to have created a creature — called the Golem — to protect the ghetto. This creature, the world’s first “robot,” is said to be hidden in the attic of the synagogue.
iball round the world 