The Moorish style 19th century synagogue in Pisek will soon be opened to the public on a regular basis, thanks to an agreement between the town administration, the Pisek Municipal Library, the Jewish Community in Prague and Matana, the Jewish Community body that administers its built heritage.
It will serve as a cultural space for lectures, exhibitions, theatre performances and other public events.
“All activities will be focused on mapping the Jewish community in Písek, the regional history of the Jews or the prevention of xenophobia,” Pisek city spokesperson Petra Měšťanová said in a statement on the city web site. “It will also be possible to hold events that would appropriately complement these topics, or would serve to finance the revitalization of the synagogue.”
The synagogue was built in 1872 in Moorish style with neo-Romanesque elements to replace an earlier synagogue. It was used as a clothing warehouse after World War II, when the sanctuary was divided in two horizontally by a concrete ceiling.
It was returned to Jewish ownership in 1995, and though gradual, ongoing renovation, slowed by financial shortfalls, has taken place over the past two decades, including restoration of the elaborate wall paintings (which had been painted over), further work still needs to be done.