The fitful process of restoring the synagogue in Bytča, Slovakia has received a boost with a €2,000 grant from Slovak Telecom to aid in the restoration of the building’s painted, coffered ceiling which has suffered dry rot, fungus and other damage.
Meanwhile, a new Rescue the Bytča Synagogue civic action group, which was founded in December, has initiated a fund-raising campaign for the building, which was built in 1886 and has long languished in derelict condition, despite sporadic efforts at restoration.
The action group is taking over ownership of the building, but one of its key aims is to raise €30,000 in order to purchase the land on which the synagogue stands, which it does not own. It states that ownership disputes created a number of problems, such as preventing the possibility of applying for funding grants, and caused restoration efforts to halt in 2010. (Previously, the roof had been repaired after suffering serious damage in a storm 2007.)
We think the synagogue, as a monument to a unique, and often troubled, history of our beautiful city deserves rehabilitation and reconstruction. […] The synagogue can become, due to its unique acoustics and extraordinary artistic value, a place of unique symphonic concerts, as well as concerts of popular music. Also, it can create a unique gallery.
The group also eventually hopes to mount an exhibition in the building.
The group’s web site includes extensive photo galleries of the exterior and interior of the building, as well as drawings and other information on the restoration project.
Access details (in Slovak) about the reconstruction, plus photo galleries
See the Rescue the Synagogue Facebook Page