Today, the public had its first look at the renovated synagogue in Jirkov

Jirkov – Today, the public visited the reconstructed synagogue in Jirkov in the Chomutov region for the first time. About 50 people attended the ceremonial opening, where refreshments were prepared inside, and outside there was a tasting of kosher wine. The city renovated the synagogue for less than a year, with the restoration of both the interior and the exterior, including the garden, costing 8.3 million crowns, half of which was covered by a grant. The mayor of the city, Darina Kováčová, told ČTK today.

Cultural events will take place inside the synagogue; visitors were already able to view creations by children from the elementary art school today and listen to a small concert. In addition to exhibitions, the city also wants to host weddings, concerts, and art screenings in the historic spaces. Given that the synagogue is located in an area where there are people with social problems, the city is currently considering whether the garden will be freely accessible and whether it will also serve as a park. "The original intention was for the garden to be as open to the public as possible, but it is still being discussed," Kováčová added.

Today, visitors had the opportunity to taste kosher wine from the company České vinařství Chrámce from the Most region. The managing director, Kateřina Kreisinger, told ČTK that she brought ten wines for tasting, including dry and semi-sweet varieties.

The building was established 174 years ago as a Jewish prayer house. During World War II, the synagogue served as a storage facility, later it became a warehouse and collection point for secondary raw materials. The city purchased the former synagogue in 2016 from a private owner for two million crowns. The then-dilapidated metal collection facility was at risk of devastation. The original owner repaired the roof, while the city fixed the chimneys, windows, and interior. The classical synagogue was completed in 1847. The interior walls were adorned with ornamental paintings, but how it was furnished inside is no longer known today.

Jews began to settle in Jirkov around the 16th century, and the community was separated from the city by walls. Some sources indicate that Jews still met in the synagogue in 1938. The building survived the war unscathed, despite an attempt by arsonists to set it on fire during Kristallnacht. After the war, the Jewish shrine fell into disrepair.