dating back to the 13th century, this synagogue is the oldest one in europe which is still in use. unlike other jewish synagogues in prague, this one is not used as a museum but still serves its original religious purpose, with regular services taking place. it is believed that the remains of a legendary monster created out of clay, golem, are hidden here. the legend says that golem was meant to help people but his behavior became uncontrollable. one day he started to rip the trees out of the ground so his master rabbi löw, who was singing the psalms in the synagogue, stopped in the middle of psalm 92 and rushed off to put an end to golem's disastrous spree. then he continued with the psalms again. as a tribute to this rabbi the psalm 92 is always sung twice in this synagogue.
