Millions of crowns will go towards the completion of the rescue of the synagogue in Písek

Český Krumlov - This year, over 40 million crowns will go towards the completion of the restoration of the synagogue in Písek. In 1995, the devastated building was returned to the ownership of the Jewish Community in Prague, and six years later, it was declared a monument and its rescue began. After many years, funding from the EU will help to wrap it up. If a contract with a supplier is successfully concluded, construction work could start in March. It must be completed by the end of November. This was stated by the project coordinator of the Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic, Jan Kindermann.
    The Písek synagogue is part of the second phase of the project Revitalization of Jewish Monuments in the Czech Republic. A network of six social centers of Jewish culture will be created, not only in Písek but also in Plzeň, Čáslav, Rychnov nad Kněžnou, Neveklov, and in Police near Jilemnice. The projected costs are over 106 million crowns without VAT, which should be reduced by a competition announced at the beginning of the month. "If we successfully find a contractor for the work and no one appeals, work will start in early March. If complications arise, we will lose the grant because the project must be completed by November 30," stated Kindermann.
    The synagogue located on Soukenická street in Písek, standing east of the square, was built in 1872 in the Oriental style with Romanesque elements as a replacement for an older prayer house that has been documented in the town since the early 18th century. It served religious purposes until World War II, after which it was used as a warehouse for a wholesale clothing store. At that time, the main prayer hall was divided into two floors by a ceiling.
    The construction work should begin with the demolition of the intermediate ceiling at the level of the women's gallery and the completion of the reconstruction of the truss and roof. The building needs to be dehumidified, the women's gallery will be reconstructed, the destroyed shrine will be rebuilt, and the industrial doors will be bricked up. New flooring must also be laid, and work will continue on restoring the original paintwork, which has been preserved in about 80 percent, while the rest was devastated by leaking water.
    According to the synagogue manager Václav Kinský, the state, the city, and the owner have invested around 600,000 crowns into the most necessary rescue efforts over the last seven years. In 2004, basic rescue work concerning the repair of the roof covering and the truss was carried out, and a restoration survey was conducted; a year later, the restoration of the interior of the synagogue began.
    In February, according to Kindermann, work will begin on the exhibition scenario. It will be determined what has survived from the original equipment of the synagogue. The center will serve for social events, such as concerts, exhibitions, or discussions promoting Jewish culture. The exhibition will also mention significant figures from the regional Jewish community.