In Strážnice, a reconstructed synagogue was opened yesterday

Strážnice (Hodonínsko) - After 15 years of renovations, the reconstructed Jewish synagogue in Strážnice, Hodonín region, was opened yesterday. Its restoration cost ten million crowns. In the future, it will be used similarly to the synagogue in nearby Břeclav for hosting exhibitions and social events. This was stated by Jaroslav Klenovský, who documents the Jewish heritage in Moravia and also participated in the works related to the reconstruction of the Strážnice place of worship.
About 20 descendants of Strážnice Jews, who now live all over the world, came to see the restored synagogue yesterday. The building was in a considerably dilapidated state before the start of the rescue works.
The synagogue was built in 1804 in the neoclassical style. Before the reconstruction began, the building was used as a warehouse for chairs manufactured by the Strážnice firm TON until 1991.
The Jewish prayer hall was repaired at the request of the Jewish community in Brno. Its reconstruction was supported not only by the city, region, and state but also by many companies. The rare paintings in the synagogue were restored by painter Václav Holoubek. The synagogue will be used by the Municipal Museum in Strážnice.
Once, a large Jewish community lived in Strážnice. Adjacent to the synagogue is the Jewish cemetery, and nearby is the former Jewish town - a development with narrow alleys and small houses, although not all have been renovated sensitively to the character of the district.