If you are following our walking plan through the Jewish Quarter, then on the way to the Maisel Synagogue we would like to tell you about the man after whom this outstanding building was actually named, and who is associated with the golden age in the life of the Josefov quarter.
In the 16th century, Mordechai Maisel was the mayor of Prague's Jewish Town. Serving the interests of the community did not prevent Maisel from also being one of its wealthiest bankers. Mordechai possessed tremendous charisma, which opened doors to him that were usually closed to Jews. His regular "debtor" was Emperor Rudolf II himself, who in exchange for loans granted Maisel unimaginable privileges.
It was precisely under the rule of this mayor that the town hall and the High Synagogue were erected in the Prague ghetto, its own hospital was built, the Old Jewish Cemetery was expanded, and the roads were paved. In addition, Mordechai Maisel personally financed the construction of a mikveh - a ritual bath for ablutions - and the creation of a yeshiva – a higher educational institution for the study of the Torah and the Talmud.
But one of his most notable creations, forever etched in the history not only of the Josefov quarter but now of all Prague as well, was the Maisel Synagogue, which our further story will be about.
