The Žatec synagogue has a new facade, the reconstruction should be completed in August

Žatec - The second largest Jewish building in the Czech Republic, the synagogue in Žatec in the Louny region, has now completed its facade. It is already adorned with stained glass windows, restored sgraffito, and three new gilded Stars of David on the domes. Builders are finishing work inside the monument and are also working on the facade of the neighboring rabbi's house. The reconstruction of the 19th-century monument is expected to be completed by the end of summer, said the owner of the synagogue, Daniel Černý, to ČTK. On Saturday, it will be 150 years since the solemn consecration of the Žatec synagogue.

"The facade of the synagogue is fully completed. Inside, almost all of the plaster and installations are finished; only the flooring and further adjustments remain. The rabbi's house is more finished inside; they are currently laying fired brick flooring and additional fittings. The exterior facade still needs to be finished," said Černý. While the synagogue has a yellow facade, the neighboring rabbi's house will be gray-green.

The second largest preserved Jewish building, after the synagogue in Plzeň, was acquired by Černý in 2013 for the starting price of 3.6 million crowns. He bought it at an auction from the town, which had no use for it. The reconstruction of the monument began in 2019, thanks to European funding from the IROP program for the preservation of monuments. The total costs for construction and equipment are estimated at 55 million crowns excluding VAT, with the European grant accounting for about 47 million. Private donors and companies are also contributing.

Work was delayed last year by about six months due to issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic. So far, the situation in the market caused by the war in Ukraine has not complicated the construction. According to Černý, the company has enough materials and workers. Completion of the construction phase is expected in August this year.

The monument is intended to serve as a multifunctional cultural space, where concerts, conferences, and other performances could take place. "The inside will not resemble the original house of worship; it will mainly be a synagogue from the outside, while the interior space will remain empty," stated Černý. The rabbi's house should provide support for holding events in the synagogue. It is also planned to include an exhibition about the history of the local Jewish community, which should begin preparations next year.

The Žatec synagogue, with its unusual Moorish architecture, dates back to 1872 and is one of a kind. The synagogue is among the quartet of Žatec monuments being restored thanks to the city's candidacy for the UNESCO World Heritage list.