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After seeing photos of the Prague Spanish synagogue, I decided to go for a vist, only to be asked there to pay for a ticket for 6 sights! The cost being 330 CZK or about 15 USD which might be a deal if you actually want to visit that many of them but is very expensive for one. It's kind of like being asked to pay for the whole menu when you just want shrimp.

Is it possible to pay a lesser amount to visit a single synagogue?

Actually, shouldn't there be a time when access is free? Most churches anywhere in the world (OK, in over 50 countries I've been too) are free and most of the rest usually charge a very small fee. Why do synagogues charge for entrance (they did too in Brazil, only much less)?

svick
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Itai
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1 Answers1

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Is it possible to pay a lesser amount to visit a single synagogue?

All the synagogues are managed by a single Jewish organization and from their website it's quite clear you only have 3 options:

  1. Maisel Synagogue / Pinkas Synagogue / Old Jewish Cemetery / Klausen Synagogue / Ceremonial Hall / Spanish Synagogue / Old-New Synagogue - for 500 CZK.

  2. Maisel Synagogue / Pinkas Synagogue / Old Jewish Cemetery / Klausen Synagogue / Ceremonial Hall / Spanish Synagogue (without the Old-New Synagogue) - 330 CZK

  3. Old-New Synagogue - 200 CZK

So the only synagogue where you can pay separately is the Old-New Synagogue and at 200 CZK it's not much of a bargain. Another option is to purchase the Prague Card, which gives free access to all the synagogues + numerous museums and works as a public transport ticket.

Actually, shouldn't there be a time when access is free?

There are occasional ceremonies at the synagogues, but as far as I can tell they're only open to community members. Very few Jews live in Prague so they're not "open house" like the churches might be.

JonathanReez
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