The synagogue got its name from the Moorish style, in which it was in 1868 built on the site of the original synagogue – so called Altschul - from the 12th century. Exotic style, inspired by famous Alhambra, emphasized the reformist character of the new synagogue, which belonged to German-speaking reform Jews.
The building was designed by Josef Niklas and Jan Bělský, the remarkable interior by Antonín Baum and Bedřich Münzberger. František Škroup, the composer of the Czech national anthem, served as organist here in 1836-45 (i. e. still in Altshul). The synagogue now belongs to the Prague´s Jewish Museum, it houses part of the exhibition, and popular concerts of classical and sacred music often take place here.