The Vyškov synagogue is a cultural monument, the city wants to repair it

Vyškov – The former Vyškov synagogue, located in the central square, has been declared a cultural monument by the Ministry of Culture. The city, as the owner, hopes to access state subsidies for the restoration of monuments. In recent years, it focused on repairing the roof using its own funds. The neo-Romanesque building from 1885 currently serves as a prayer house for the Czechoslovak Hussite Church, stated Deputy Mayor Josef Kachlík (Choice for the City) in a press release.

The synagogue was exceptional in that it is located directly in the square. Jewish prayer houses were usually built in secluded areas or at least in side streets, rarely in squares. Vyškov gained a new cultural monument after a long 17 years, the last time the ministry added a primary school on Nádražní Street to the list.

The city intends to carry out a more comprehensive renovation of the building. It is a hall structure with a rectangular floor plan, covered with a neck roof. The synagogue underwent a major renovation after the Vyškov fire in 1917. In the early 1990s, builders repaired the façade, and in 2002, the interior. After more significant repairs, the synagogue could become more open to the public. It would be possible to hold smaller concerts there, as the building has very good acoustics, or exhibitions.

The city is also considering that after the restoration of the roof trusses and roofing, the building could house a previously removed decorative wrought iron grille that lined the top of the prominent flat-pitched roof. "It would also be appropriate to explore the possibility of preserving the original interior paint layers, such as Hebrew liturgical inscriptions or decorative stencil paintings. Restoration work can be fully funded by the Program for the Regeneration of Urban Heritage Reserves and Urban Heritage Zones," said Petr Bařinka, who is a heritage care officer at the city hall.