The fifth edition of the Czech Day of Jewish Monuments will take place August 14.
More than 50 selected Jewish heritage sites in more than three dozen locations in Bohemia, Moravia, and Czech Silesia will be open to visitors. They include synagogues, Jewish cemeteries, museums, and other sites.
Some are fairly wellknown sites, such as those on the nationwide 10 Stars network. Or the Jeruzalemska synagogue in Prague. Major attractions this year will be two recently restored synagogues: the Great Synagogue in Plzen and the former Synagogue in Čáslav.
But some of the sites are out of the way and well off the beaten track.
Some of them are generally closed to the public; some have recently undergone extensive renovation or are in the process of restoration. In some places, such as in Pacov, there are programs such as guided tours and concerts.
There is a smartphone app as well as an interactive map to help visitors. Click on the star to find the site — there is historical and other information, but it’s in Czech, so you will have to use google translate. (The mobile app also seems to be only in Czech.)
The Czech Day of Jewish Monuements is organized by the Jewish community in Prague in cooperation with Matana, the administrative body for Jewish property, the Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic and other regional partners.
It does not seem to take place under the umbrella of the annual European Days of Jewish Culture, whose kickoff date is September 4.
The Jewish community in Prague owns 30 synagogues and 175 Jewish cemeteries. Others are owned by some of the 10 Jews communities or the Federation of Jewish Communities. Others still are in the possession of towns, churches and private owners.
Since the fall of communism, around 70 synagogues have been restored, most of them for cultural use — so the Day of Jewish Monuments actually only takes in a fraction of restored Jewish heritage sites in the country. Many others are well maintained and can also be visited.
Here’s a list of locations where sites can be visited — we have posted about some of them.
Click here for the Day’s web site (in Czech)
1 comment on “Czech Republic: Day of Jewish Monuments, 2022 (August 14)”
How I wish my wife and I could go and take part in this amazing day.
The Czech Jewish community deserves so much credit for doing this.
I will write the Czech Embassy here to express appreciation for supporting the Jewish community.
Thanks so much for sharing.