A new NGO is spearheading efforts to restore the former synagogue in Volyne, a small town in the Czech Republic, around 130 km south of Prague, and transform it into a cultural and educational center.
The NGO, Synagoga Volyně, z.ú., was established by lawyer Karolína Hoňková Radilová, who recently acquired the synagogue, which since WW2 had been used as a cinema and then a discotheque.
The goals include:
restoring the building to its original state, repairing the roof, the facade with a unique depiction of two lions with a clock and a Hebrew inscription, restoring the vestibule with a unique column decoration, [opening the bricked up windows that had flanked the ark,] and creating an exposition, music, gallery, exhibition and lecture hall serving the general public.
Architect Max Hoffmeister is currently working on the architectural design.
The NGO has launched a fund-raising campaign and set up a web site with extensive information about the synagogue, which was built in 1838-1840 and renovated in 1890, as well as the restoration project.
The synagogue’s facade is notable for the carving above the entrance that features lions framing a clock — this is now used as the NGO’s logo.
The synagogue, which is listed as a cultural monument, was converted into a cinema in 1956 and later served as a disco called Caribic.
The web site includes a 3D virtual model of the synagogue (which shows in the interior in poor condition) and also posts images of the planned reconstruction.
During preliminary work, the NGO says, remains of a geniza were found the in attic. Research on it took place under the leadership of Dr. Lenka Uličná and a teamfrom the Jewish Museum in Prague.
Here’s a poster showing plans for the restoration:
Click here to access the web site
Watch a video from the NGO on an event earlier this year that presented the plans for the project: