The building itself was designed by Josef Niklas and Jan Bělský, while the remarkable interior (dated 1882–83) was executed by Antonín Baum and Bedřich Münzberger.
František Škroup, the composer of the Czech national anthem, served as organist here in 1836-45.
Permanent exhibition: The History of Jews in Bohemia and Moravia, Part 2
This exhibition deals with the history of the Jews in the Bohemian lands, starting from the reforms of Joseph II in the 1780s to the period after the Second World War.
It highlights the gradual advancement toward greater equality and emancipation for Jews in Austria-Hungary, describes the foundation of the Czech-Jewish and Zionist movements, and profiles the most important Jewish entrepreneurs, scientists, writers, musicians and artists (including Franz Kafka, Sigmund Freud and Gustav Mahler). It also deals with the redevelopment of the Prague Jewish Town, Jewish sites of Bohemia and Moravia, and the history of the Jewish Museum in Prague. Special focus is on the Shoah of Jews from Bohemia and Moravia, and the Terezín ghetto.
